China Standardization 202604 issue

How can more consumer voices be heard in standards development? How can more consumers and consumer organizations be encouraged to participate in the standardization process? These challenges are faced not only by many countries but also by ISO.

Eunsook Moon, Chair of ISO’s Committee on Consumer Policy (COPOLCO) addressed this issue directly in both her interview with us and her keynote speech: “We welcome not only participation from national standards bodies at COPOLCO plenaries and workshops, but also direct involvement of consumer experts from relevant organizations.”

COPOLCO has played a vital role in promoting consumer participation, strengthening international cooperation on consumer protection, and improving international standards and policies that safeguard consumer interests. In this issue, the SPOTLIGHT column features a series of reports on the 47th COPOLCO Plenary held in Haikou, South China’s Hainan Province, in May.

“The Hainan Free Trade Port serves as a vital gateway for China’s opening-up in the new era. We are vigorously boosting and expanding consumer demand, advancing the application of standards, expanding institutional opening-up, and thoroughly carrying out the ‘Consumer Confidence in Hainan’ campaign,” said He Haiping, Deputy Director-General of Hainan Administration for Market Regulation.

Standards are more than technical specifications that ensure the quality and conformity of products and services. They also facilitate international trade and enhance global connectivity. The year 2026 marks a pivotal stage in the deepening of the BRICS cooperation mechanism and the pursuit of high-quality development across the expanded BRICS partnership. The BRICS cooperation mechanism has become an important platform for solidarity and cooperation among emerging market economies and developing countries. The SPECIAL REPORT column presents in-depth reports on the BRICS Economic and Trade Forum, hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in April.

In the GLOBAL VISION column, Dr. Zaki M. Al-Rubaei, Head of International Cooperation at the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO), explores how smart technical regulations are reshaping the future of standardization and quality infrastructure around the world.

We hope you enjoy this issue.