G/TBT/GEN/350  
 
31 March  2023 
(23-2298) 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 
8-10 March  2023 under Agenda Item 5 (Update by Observers).1 
 
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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.  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.  
1.3.  A revision of  the measurement framework has been approved by the ISO Council Standing 
Committee on Strategy and Policy (CSC/SP) in November 2022 and submitted to Council for 
information in February 2023. Additionally, a survey has been launched to all members to kick o ff 
the "light-touch " strategy review process, followed by a Council workshop which took place in 
February 2023. A dedicated task force composed by Council members is in charge of reviewing the 
Council workshop output as well as the survey results, and prop osing recommended changes to 
Council at their meeting in June 2023.  
1.4.  ISO is participating actively in the WTO Dialogue for Plastic Pollution and the International 
Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic 
pollution, including in the marine environment. ISO 's written submissions to the latter process are 
available on the INC-1 and INC-2 websites.  
1.5.  ISO's Climate Action continues to gain momentum. ISO had its biggest -ever presence at a 
UNFCCC COP at COP27 in Egypt in 2022, during which the ISO Net Zero Guidelines  were launched. 
In 2023, ISO will participate in the Bonn Climate Change Conference, Climate Week and COP28. In 
addition, ISO has launched the ISO National Climate Champions Network, bringing together ISO 
Members from around the world to collaborate specifically on the topic of climate action. The fir st 
meeting took place on 28th February.  
1.6.  Each year, ISO/CS conducts a needs assessment survey to understand the technical assistance 
and capacity -building priorities of developing country members and their stakeholders. The survey 
is a core component of the capacity building programme cycle and guides the design and the delivery 
of the annual work  plan.  
1.7.  The first survey under the Action Plan for developing countries 2021 -2025 was completed by 
81% of developing country members and 79% of memb ers from Least Developed Countries (LDCs). 
Results indicated a need for capacity -building support to fully benefit from standards in several key 
areas under the 3-P framework  (People, Planet and Prosperity) , such as to facilitate trade (e.g., 
conformity as sessment), and in critical sustainability -related areas linked to climate change and 
energy management. In response to the needs expressed by ISO members, the 
 
1 In original language only.  G/TBT/GEN/350  
 
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  Standards4Sustainability programme was initiated, focusing on knowledge  transfer  and skills on 
specific ISO standards in each of the three pillars of the 3 -P framework, ranging from the basic  level 
to advanced level training.  
1.8.  A second needs assessment survey was launched in late 2022 to confirm the results from the 
previous year and to determine if n ew needs had emerged. The results of this survey are currently 
being  analysed by  the ISO Capacity Building Unit.  
 
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