G/TBT/GEN/335  
 
22 September  2022 
(22-7115) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
  
ISO UPDATE TO THE TBT COMMITTEE  
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION  
(ISO)  
This document contains information provided by ISO at the TBT Committee meeting of 
13-15 July 2022 under Agenda Item 4 (Update by Observers).  
 
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1.1.  ISO would like to thank the WTO TBT for the opportunity to provide an update on ISO activities.  
1.2.  Registration is now open  for ISO 's must -attend e vent of the year. ISO Annual Meeting 2022, 
taking place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), from 19 to 23  September, hosted by the 
Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) will be open to anyone that would like to 
participate. This keysto ne event will feature thematic sessions, networking opportunities, the ISO 
General Assembly and related governance meetings.  
a. Join an exciting programme  exploring today 's most important global challenges and 
technological developments (a combination of hybrid and fully on line events). Join the 
session Building Trust: Trade in the age of digitalization,  to discuss about latest 
developments in conformity assessment and eme rging challenges and opportunities in a 
digitalized environment, in a world where digitalization of trade is accelerated. We will 
explore how compliance is managed across global supply chains and how conformity is 
assessed and communicated, so that it cont inues to provide confidence to regulators and 
the market.  
b. Network and connect with colleagues from other national standards bodies, industry 
leaders and international organizations.  
c. Come in person for the full and exclusive event experience.  
1.3.  The implementation of the ISO Strategy 2030  (approved at beginning of 2021) is well 
progressing. The rolling implementation plan and the measurement framework are constantly 
adapted to better support th e achievement of its goals and priorities to help us reach our vision and 
mission. A revision of the priorities is expected in 2023.  
1.4.  ISO SMART  is one of the most transformational programme of the ISO rolling implem entation 
plan, and run in tight collaboration with the IEC. Its aim is to shift from a document -based to a 
content -based standard life -cycle, and thus enable new ways of creating and sharing content which 
have machines (not only humans) as end users.  
1.5.  Recog nizing the need to bring alignment to the definition of "net-zero", ISO is working with the 
UN's Race to Zero campaign, SBTi and national standards bodies (NSBs) from multiple countries 
under the Our 2050 World initiative to develop net -zero guiding princi ples. ISO is committed to 
accelerating progress in this area by providing the international platform to develop those principles 
through the launch of a process known in the global standardization community as "International 
Workshop Agreement " (IWA).  G/TBT/GEN/335  
 
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  1.6.  The IWA was launched on 18 May 2022, and it is expected to be published by COP 27.  The first 
workshop was held virtually on 13 July 2022. All interested parties are invited to participate by 
registering here: https://our2050.world/#register . The IWA will build upon the progress made 
through existing initiatives, campaigns and governance from state and non -state actors. The process 
enables all relevant players and stakeholders to participate in a structured, i nclusive and open debate 
to reach consensus on:  
a. A definition of net -zero and related concepts (national, regional and organizational)  
b. How this definition should be incorporated into initiatives, strategies and policies at all 
levels  
c. The basis for accountab ility mechanisms and measurement to provide assurance through 
independent measurement, validation, verification and certification of  information on 
climate impacts.  
1.7.  Within the context of ISO 's commitment to Climate Action, the organization 's current portfo lio 
is being assessed to identify which ISO standards have the highest potential to positively contribute 
to the achievement of climate goals, especially the transition to a net -zero economy. This exercise 
will accelerate the continuous update of ISO stand ards with highest impact towards the climate 
goals.  
1.8.  ISO's efforts to support gender equality and women empowerment continue with the launch of 
the Gender Action Plan 2022 -2025. The second ISO gender action plan seeks to (1) continue 
collecting and analysin g data on gender representation; (2) enhance balanced participation and 
representation; (3) develop gender responsive deliverables;  (4) ensure ISO/CS plays a key role in 
supporting gender within the ISO system and (5)  continue to support ISO members on gen der 
equality.  
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