International Organization
for Standardization
www.iso.org
February 2009
Bringing solutions home: Defining the scope for an action plan
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Bringing solutions home
Defining the scope for an
“Action Plan”
DEVCO/COPOLCO Workshop
Train the trainers
Paris, France
20-25 February 2009
Acknowledgements to: Association française de normalisation (AFNOR), ISO/COPOLCO
training team co-chairs, BSI and Consumers International
February 2009
Bringing solutions home: Defining the scope for an action plan
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Bringing solutions home – Outline
Setting Priorities for maximum impact
What is an “Action Plan”?
What are the main elements?
What can NSBs and Consumer organizations do?
Actions for today; actions for the future
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Bringing solutions home: Defining the scope for an action plan
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Bringing solutions home – Looking forward
This Final Session is about ‘Looking Forward’
It will encourage you to build on:
The range of presentation material
The discussions and feedback from the dialogue
sessions
Supporting Information available
Together with:
The knowledge you have of your local national situation
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Bringing solutions home: Defining the scope for an action plan
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Bringing solutions home – Building blocks
The Key Building Blocks provided include:
Key characteristics of the standards process
Benefits of standards for consumers
Consumer representation

Nationally, regionally & internationally
Resources available to support consumer representation
Networking nationally, regionally & internationally
COPOLCO & CI’s support and networking activities
Developing capacity
Relevant case studies (e.g. from the region)
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Bringing solutions home – a good Action Plan
A good action plan - practical and realistic
Activity and output based
Contributes to a longer term vision
States who does what
Unambiguous
Takes account of resources available
Clear timetable with dates and targets
Agreed by the parties involved
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Bringing solutions home – Actions for an NSB
Provide an annual plan of priorities and actions
Consult with consumers in developing the plan
Appoint a liaison person to communicate with
Consumer organizations
Join COPOLCO, ensure appropriate contact person
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Bringing solutions home – Actions for an NSB
(continued)
Develop consumer involvement in NSB governance
Encourage consumer participation in standards
development
Train consumers about standards and how to engage
Network with other NSBs in the region
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Bringing solutions home – Actions for a
Consumer organization
Evaluate where consumer priorities overlap with national
standards activities (review NSB action plan)
Evaluate issues of greatest consumer detriment where
standards may help
Liaise with other COs and NGOs
Review where consumer participation in priority
standards issues would be most effective/useful (vs.
legislation/relates to testing agenda)
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Bringing solutions home: Defining the scope for an action plan
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Bringing solutions home – Actions for a
consumer organization (continued)
Provide realistic and practical information to NSB
regarding consumer participation to facilitate a joint
action plan
Investigate funding and resource opportunities for
participation
Evaluate CO potential resources to participate
(financial & human)
Appoint a liaison person to co-ordinate with NSB and
other COs/NGOs
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Bringing solutions home – Joint actions
Joint actions standards bodies and consumer
organizations might consider include:
Activities to support World Standards Day
Develop an ongoing dialogue (meetings, seminars)
Involve each other in topics of mutual interest
Promote good use of standards in consumer protection
Develop mechanisms to enable consumer priorities for standards to
be developed
COPOLCO members meet with consumers to consider the papers,
to brief delegates and/or submit e-mail comment.
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Bringing solutions home: Defining the scope for an action plan
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Bringing solutions home – Actions for today
What to consider today
When should we meet (again)? /
Whom should I contact?
First draft of a vision for consumer participation
A draft plan, inevitably with gaps

Information needed to fill gaps/ progress a plan
(Who will do this?)

Actions for the NSB representative

Actions for the consumer representative
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Bringing solutions home: Defining the scope for an action plan
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Bringing solutions home – Actions for the future
What to consider in 6 months
Do we have a draft action plan?
If not what needs to happen to make progress?
It will take initiative and co-operation ultimately from both
parties to achieve a mutually beneficial relationship
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Bringing solutions home: Defining the scope for an action plan
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Bringing solutions home
GOOD LUCK WITH DEVELOPING CONSUMER
PARTICIPATION IN YOUR COUNTRY
Making standards work for consumers
February 2009
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