TEHRAN – Ali Jalali, former Secretary and Director of the Iranian Scientific Standards Association, emphasized the importance of standards in sustainable development, public safety and commercial transparency.
In an interview with ISNA on the occasion of World Standards Day, he stressed the need for enhanced training and stronger oversight by national standards bodies across states to promote a culture of standards across the country.
What is World Standards Day and what is the philosophy behind its establishment?
World Standards Day is observed on October 14th every year. It serves as a reminder of the value of agreement, order and quality in human life. In 1946, representatives from 25 countries met in London to create a global framework for harmonizing standards, which led to the creation of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
This day celebrates the millions of professionals and engineers who, through the development and implementation of standards, have laid the foundations for industrial development, fair trade, and consumer safety. Standards are the universal language of development. Without these, no industry can compete globally.
What does the standard mark on a product mean and what is its technical basis?
Standard marks are a language of trust between producers and consumers, indicating that a product or service complies with specific technical and quality requirements. These standards may be related to products or management systems.
According to ISO/IEC 17021 and ISO/IEC 17030, management system marks are only valid if issued by a competent body under legal supervision. Accreditation bodies under ISO/IEC 17021 must maintain impartiality, technical competence, and independence. ISO/IEC 17030 also provides a framework for marking of conformity for products and emphasizes that marks should not be used without formal evaluation.
What are the common violations regarding ISO marks in Iran?
Unfortunately, some companies put the ISO mark or phrase directly on their products, even though ISO refers to an organization’s management system rather than the product quality itself. It is a violation to print only the ISO 9001 mark on packaging.
Each ISO mark must include the name of the issuing authority, certification number, scope and expiry date and may only be used in brochures, websites or organizational documents.
ISO 22000, which concerns food safety management, also prohibits the display of marks or their words on products. It may only appear on documents or websites that include the phrase “This product is manufactured in an ISO 22000 certified organization.” Incorrect use of these marks is misleading to consumers. This violation is not unique to Iran and can occur all over the world.
How can the authenticity of standard marks and ISO certificates be verified?
Consumers should check the name and number on the certificate and verify that the issuing agency is listed as an accredited certifying agency. In Iran, this is the National Accreditation Center of Iran (NACI), and internationally, the accreditation body is a full member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).
You can check the legitimacy of the issuing agency by visiting the official websites of these authorities. It is also important to note that the claim that “a product has an ISO” is false, as ISO certificates are issued for management systems, not products.
What is the current status of standards in Iran?
Regarding the quality of products and services, the current situation is acceptable and many producers have obtained international certification.
However, in safety areas such as the environment, occupational health, and HSE, there are significant differences compared to developed countries. This is due to a lack of professional training, lack of oversight, insufficient resources, and a weak culture of adhering to safety and environmental standards in some industries.
What are your recommendations for promoting a culture of standards in this country?
Standards become effective when they move from administrative requirements to societal beliefs. Three major actions are required:
1. Ongoing training for producers and professionals on the correct use of the mark and international requirements.
2. Public and media awareness to educate people about the true meaning of the standard and the difference between a management system certificate and a product mark.
3. Increased state-wide oversight by the National Standards Organization, especially for products with high public consumption, such as food, beverages, health care products, and children’s products.
Establishing an online verification system, providing public education in schools and universities, and promoting a culture of standards through the media are important steps toward institutionalizing standards in the country. Standards are a universal language of trust between producers and consumers, and strengthening standards improves quality of life, public health, and the economic credibility of nations.