Ben Hedley

The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has undertaken a rigorous operation resulting in the destruction of a staggering 837,075.07 tonnes of counterfeit goods valued at 21.8 million Tanzanian Shillings. Seized from various locations, including warehouses, hotels, and shops in Dodoma and Singida regions, the counterfeit products, which encompassed expired items and those with hazardous contents, were disposed of at Chidaya in Dodoma. Vincent Tarimo, TBS Central Zone quality control officer, emphasized the adverse effects of counterfeit goods on both the economy and public health. Counterfeit products, especially those with expired usage dates, pose risks ranging from short-term ailments to severe long-term diseases, including cancer. Tarimo underscored the continuous inspections across the country and urged traders to regularly assess their products for quality assurance, adhering to producers' guidelines and refraining from selling items with toxic ingredients. Strict legal actions will be pursued against unscrupulous traders, reinforcing TBS's commitment to upholding laws and regulations governing product quality and safety. https://www.tbs.go.tz/news/tbs-destroys-837-075-07-tons-of-substandard-goods

"Standards Australia is working to uplift the Timor-Leste standards body, IQTL, in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and its Partnership for Inclusive Prosperity (PROSIVU) program. The Timor-Leste Standards Uplift Initiative offers comprehensive training, fellow arrangements, and sector-specific exploration to identify opportunities for standards." https://www.standards.org.au/news/standards-australia-delivers-technical-support-to-the-timor-leste-standards-uplift-initiative

The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS), embracing the Circular Economy: In a world dominated by the linear take-make-dispose model, the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) actively promotes awareness and action towards a circular economy. The circular approach aims to eliminate product waste by keeping materials and products in circulation, addressing challenges like resource scarcity and environmental pollution. TTBS is engaging in key projects, including QI4CE, supporting the Circular Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the National Mirror Committee contributes to ISO TC323 for Circular Economy. Collaborating with organizations like the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), TTBS strives for sustainable waste management, exemplified by initiatives such as iCARE, Trinidad and Tobago's first national recycling project. Together, these efforts pave the way for a more sustainable and circular future. https://gottbs.com/2023/12/12/the-circular-economy/

"The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) together with the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) are set to harmonise sampling, test methods and certification processes to enhance bilateral trade between Uganda and South Sudan. The two National Standards Bodies have thus agreed that; All products covered by Compulsory Standards including cereals and cereal products (mainly maize flour) must be certified by UNBS prior to being exported to South Sudan from Uganda. A Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) certificate from competent authorities in Uganda MUST accompany other products exported to South Sudan like fruits and vegetables, dairy products like fresh milk and yorghurt, chicken and chicken products, fish and fish products. A technical team from the two standards bodies to be set up to harmonise sampling, test methods and certification processes, among other resolutions. https://www.unbs.go.ug//news-highlights.php?news=270&read

The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) and South Africa Bureau of Standards Commercial (SABS Commercial) have signeda Memorandum of Understanding. This collaboration aims to boost trade between Zambia and South Africa by promoting quality in products and services. http://www.zabs.org.zm/index.php/zabs-and-sabs-pen-memorandum-of-understanding/

"The CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) has launched five e-learning courses, with a view to engaging more with academia to bring quality infrastructure education to youth and young professionals." https://website.crosq.org/crosq-launches-elearning-courses/

With the complexity of AI, robust governance is crucial. AI management systems are the unsung heroes ensuring effective risk assessments and treatments. ISO have created a guide for businesses: https://www.iso.org/artificial-intelligence/ai-management-systems

Celebrating World Quality Day on November 9, 2023, the City of Cape Town achieved a significant milestone as its Brooklands, Blackheath, and Voëlvlei Water Treatment Plants were awarded the ISO 22000 food safety management system certification by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). ISO 22000, an esteemed international standard, specifically addresses food safety management, with a crucial emphasis on ensuring the safety of the focus product—drinking water. This recognition underscores the City's commitment to the highest standards in water treatment and safety. #WorldQualityDay #ISO22000Certification #WaterSafety https://www.foodsafetyafrica.net/city-of-cape-towns-water-treatment-plants-achieve-international-recognition-for-water-quality-excellence/

On 11th December, ISO published this message from President, AirVironment Canada Inc., and Chair-elect, ISO/TC 207, Environmental management: "Standards create change faster. Climate change is happening fast. The world does not have time to prevaricate. But ISO standards can help us make the right policies and speed up the pace. Standards can supercharge our climate efforts . It is paramount that organizations clearly report on their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their progress on reducing them. Standards are helping to guide the development of greenhouse gas inventories, which comprehensively list GHG volumes and where they come from. As such, they are an effective tool as we work to curb emissions, because they demand verifiable evidence. This bolsters trust that climate action is action and not just rhetoric. " https://www.iso.org/contents/news/2023/12/standards-create-change-faster.html

As the UK’s National Standards Body, BSI’s presence at COP strengthens collaborations and explores partnerships to further build on the power of standards as accelerators for climate solutions. Standards are crucial to ensuring the net zero transition happens successfully and swiftly. The BSI delegation at COP28 has observer status and will come together with policymakers, stakeholders, and other standards bodies like ISO, to leverage the power of standards. BSI Calendar of COP events

Information from https://www.iec.ch/blog/road-sustainability-insights-g20-standards-dialogue "What is the main challenge in developing global sustainability standards? At IEC, the Standardization Management Board already emphasizes the need to analyze how our standards contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals; and one of the key strategic goals of the IEC is to foster a sustainable future. So, we have agreement on the severity of the issue. Now, the main challenge that we face is to empower technical committees which are usually focused on performance standards to also address sustainability issues. These experts have spent decades perfecting their jobs. However, they do not always have sustainability expertise. And therein lies the gap that we need to bridge. ......What are some of the focus areas for the development of standards for sustainability? Naturally, standards that accelerate the transition to renewable energy alternatives and lead to a net-zero emissions world, are important. Consequently, we hope for a wider adoption of renewable energy standards, electric vehicle standards, and sustainability elements within existing performance standards for products."

The ISO Climate Action Kit is available for download ISO say: "International Standards are a vital tool for accelerating large-scale action by governments, businesses, organizations and individuals on both climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation. ISO members play a vital role in advocating for policies that promote International Standards and contribute to climate action across all aspects of society. Collectively, we can provide perspectives from the real economy so that policy developments are fit for purpose. By sharing best practice and success stories on the role of International Standards for climate action with policymakers and regulatory bodies, we can support them to move faster, with higher levels of ambition. By demonstrating the wealth of expertise and knowledge that goes into the development of International Standards that support climate action, we can demonstrate leadership at the national and international level."

Participation in-person: 64 attendees representing 26 Nations, plus three regional organisations (ARSO, CROSQ, PACER). Online participation TBC, online recording will also be available. Scott Steedman (BSI DG- Standards) and Raymond Murenzi (Rwanda Standards Board DG) opened and chaired the meeting; Karen Bell gave Keynote speech announcing CSN Phase 3 and Standards Partnership; Ben Hedley provided a CSN work programme update; Charles Davies provided a Standards Partnership programme update; Workshop discussion responding to proposed work programme: Canada: Supportive of CSN simplifying additional sustainability standards to SME audiences. Kenya: Supportive of CSN helping to communicate the value of using standards for private sector and government and building NSB capacity. Rwanda: Rwanda have signed the UN Declaration on Gender Responsive Standards & Standards Development, developed action plan, and published standards and supports CSN sharing learnings from this. Ghana: Propose that CSN measure the levels of NSB maturity and address gaps - then support NSB discussions with Policy makers. Jamaica: Propose the CSN profile its membership and ability to help address the ‘digital divide’. ARSO: Supporting participation in international standards development is important. Trinidad & Tobago: CSN can support for NSBs to become financially sustainable –helping them develop business models. Presentations attached. CSN Annual Meeting_2023-09-21.pdf

At the 23rd Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) in New York on 21/09/23, Lord Ahmad announced £2.75 million to directly support Commonwealth countries through the UK’s new Standards Partnership Programme. In addition, £250, 000 of funding will re-energise the Commonwealth Standards Network (CSN). This work, led by the British Standards Institution (BSI), will support developing countries to use internationally agreed standards, enhancing trade and boosting sustainable and inclusive growth. This will also ensure substantive training resources are available to support all Commonwealth members and open trade opportunities for international businesses. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/commonwealth-foreign-affairs-ministers-meeting-september-2023-an-overview?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=263bfb6c-1287-4561-92ca-68b34fc60f96&utm_content=daily

CSN Annual Meeting invite and agenda_Thursday 21-09-2023, 13.00-13.50, Room M1, BCEC.pdf Event: 2023 Annual meeting of the Commonwealth Standards Network (CSN) Date/Time: Thursday 21st September 2023; 13.00-13:50 (lunch available in the room from 12.30) Location: Room M1, Mezzanine, BCEC, Brisbane, Australia* Attendees: Representatives of National Standards Bodies from Commonwealth countries and other interested parties such as regional standards organisations. DRAFT AGENDA 13.00 Welcome and Introductions · Hosted by CSN co-chairs. · Dr Scott Steedman, Director-General, Standards, BSI · Raymond Murenzi Director General, RSB 13.05 Keynote · Launch of the new phase of UK government funded CSN work. · Karen Bell, Minister-Counsellor, Head of Pacific Development Unit, British High Commission, Canberra 13.10 CSN Phase 3 Overview · CSN 2023/24 work programme. · Ben Hedley, CSN Senior Programme Manager, BSI 13.20 Standards Partnership · Standards Partnership overview – collaboration with CSN. · Charles Davies, Principal Consultant, BSI 13.30 CSN membership programmes · Overview of membership work programmes relevant to the CSN. · CSN membership: Updates on programmes and areas for collaboration (e.g., gender responsive standards, inclusive stakeholder engagement, Digital Trade, standards development) 13.40 Workshop discussion · Feedback on the proposed CSN work programme, areas for collaboration, suggestions for work programmes in future. · CSN membership 13.55 Close *Also be accessible via Teams: · Meeting ID: 339 252 666 638 · Passcode: omkPgL

The Little Book of Net Zero The Little Book of Net Zero is a straightforward 'how-to' guide to help you start your sustainability journey. You probably didn’t think much about climate change when you started your business. But climate change affects us all, and we can all play a part in combatting it. In order to address this problem, the UK has set a target to achieve ‘Net Zero’ GHG emissions by 2050. A goal that will only be achieved with the help of businesses. The Little Book of Net Zero offers all businesses, particularly small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the opportunity to look at the 2050 UK government's climate goal as a win-win scenario. Making a firm committment to achieve net zero in your business will mean that you will: Become more sustainable and socially responsible, Take control of energy costs, Improve performance, Become resilient. Download from here: https://pages.bsigroup.com/l/35972/2023-02-27/3t5s5g5/35972/1677506052ZlidFw1d/LBONZ_2023_Final.pdf?_gl=1*n4lha9*_ga*MTM2NzQzMzY0OC4xNjU4OTM2OTUw*_ga_RWDQ3VY9NQ*MTY4Nzk0NzMwNS43OC4xLjE2ODc5NDgwNjIuMC4wLjA.&_ga=2.111220164.1919300663.1687947306-1367433648.1658936950

This CSN guide outlines why the ISO Net Zero Guidelines (IWA 42) are important for SMEs - regardless of their size or location. CSN_SME brochure - Net Zero Guidelines (IWA 42).pdf CSN_SME brochure - Net Zero Guidelines (IWA 42).pdf

This CSN brochure describes how organizational governance management systems (specifically, ISO 37000) support SMEs - regardless of their size or location. ISO 37000 is the global benchmark for guidance on organizational governance, it is a proven way for SMEs to improve their practices. CSN_SME brochure - Governance of organzations (ISO 37000).pdf CSN_SME brochure - Governance of organzations (ISO 37000).pdf

International standards supporting businesses: Quality management systems (ISO 9001) International standards play an important role in supporting business, quality, trade, development, policy objectives, health & safety, and consumers. This CSN brochure describes how Quality management systems (specifically, ISO 9001) support SMEs - regardless of their size or location. CSN_SME brochure - Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001).pdf CSN_SME brochure - Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001).pdf

International standards supporting businesses: Occupational health & safety management systems (ISO 45001) International standards play an important role in supporting business, trade, development, policy objectives, health & safety, and consumers. This CSN brochure describes how occupartional health & safety management systems (specifically, ISO 45001) support SMEs - regardless of their size or location. CSN_SME brochure - Occupational health and safety management systems (ISO 45001).pdf CSN_SME brochure - Occupational health and safety management systems (ISO 45001).pdf