SimpleQuE Celebrates World Standards Day and a Shared Vision for a Better World

World Standards Day gives us much reason to celebrate, as standards are the core upon which our business revolves.  We work with a variety of service and manufacturing industries who are committed to providing quality services and products that are safe, healthy and environmentally sustainable, to satisfy customers and make the world a better place to live. We believe so strongly in the purpose and benefits of standards, that our company, simpleQuE, maintains ISO 9001 certification.  ISO 9001 is the most used standard for quality management systems, and is often used as a foundation which is incorporated into other standards, like AS9100 for aerospace and ISO 14001 for environmental.

In all, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has created more than 24,000 standards which provide guidance for every type of organization – for quality, environmental, information security, health and safety, food safety and energy management, just to name a few of the areas covered.

According to ISO, “International standards make things work. They provide instructions, guidelines, rules or definitions that are then used to design, manufacture, install, test and certify, maintain and repair the products and services that we use every day. From charging your phone to safer public transport, there are international standards for almost everything!”

The members of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) celebrate World Standards Day to recognize the collaborative efforts of thousands of subject matter experts and stakeholders worldwide who develop the voluntary technical agreements that are published as International Standards.  In 2023, the theme is “Shared vision for a better world.” The three organizations ISO, IEC and ITU have come together to form the World’s Standards Cooperation.

They have adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which include ending poverty and hunger while ensuring good health and well-being, quality education, clean water and energy; support of decent work, economic growth, resilient infrastructure, innovation and sustainable industrialization. Those goals also include reducing inequalities; building safe and sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production; conserving water resources; preserving ecosystems; promoting peaceful and inclusive societies with access to justice for all.  And lastly, but most importantly, is climate action. These SDGs are wide ranging and complex and affect all aspects of society and industry. For each goal, there are standards that are directly applicable, and they are essential tools to help governments, industry and consumers contribute to the achievement of each SDG.

During the ISO Annual Meeting 2023 held in September, ISO Secretary General, Sergio Mujica explained that to meet these global needs, the global context must be considered. We are all affected by factors like inflation, geo politics, widening divergencies and climate change. This means international standards, innovation and collaboration are more essential than ever.

“Humanity has been facing multiple interlinked environmental, social, economic and health challenges – the climate change crisis, pollution, biodiversity loss and the extinction of species, deforestation, land degradation, increased incidents of environmental disasters.

The complexity and difficulties of addressing these challenges are compounded by the urgent need for action and the current fragility of the global economy.”

But there is hope – international collaboration, partnerships and standards can provide the tools and expertise to be used to build a more energy sustainable future that doesn’t endanger our planet’s health and makes life better for all.

SimpleQuE is a leader in AS, IATF® and ISO consulting, auditing and training.  Contact us for a consult and see the difference that our experts can bring to your quality management process.