Head of Indonesia’s National Standardisation Agency (BSN) Kukuh S. Achmad (Photo:antaranews.com) Jakarta (VNA) - The 59th ASEAN Consultative Committee for Standards and Quality (ACCSQ) meeting is being held to discuss the road map for the harmonisation of standards to ensure the successful realisation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
The meeting, running from June 13 to 16 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is being attended by representatives of the standardisation and conformity assessment institutions of ASEAN member countries.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Head of Indonesia’s National Standardisation Agency (BSN) Kukuh S. Achmad said the harmonisation of standards is required to ensure the quality of products, especially those manufactured by developing countries, so that the products can compete internationally.
He expressed his belief that harmonisation will further support the goods and services trade as well as help realise equitable prosperity in Southeast Asian countries.
He highlighted that ASEAN member countries do not aim to develop the same standards in each country, but the bloc attempts to synchronise the standards in all countries in the region.
Kukuh said that the BSN has been tasked with completing the development of the Road Map of ASEAN Harmonised Standards to Support SDG Implementation under Indonesia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023.
He stated that the road map is one of Indonesia’s 16 priority economic deliverables (PED) to make ASEAN a global growth centre.
He continued that the road map also aims to increase trade productivity in the Southeast Asian region by improving production cost efficiency, preserving sustainable resources, and strengthening environmental protection.
The BSN head noted that ASEAN member countries have endorsed a number of initiatives during prior ACCSQ meetings, for instance, product acceptance agreements on various commodities, such as electronics and cosmetics. Later, the same agreement will also be followed up for medical devices and automotive products.
There are also a number of agendas that need to be realised, such as the development of an action plan by the Joint Sectoral Committee on Electrical and Electronic Equipment (JSC EEE) to map regional trade in the sector, he added.
He emphasised that Southeast Asian countries must anticipate the threat of economic recession given the ongoing geopolitical tensions and trade war.
Kukuh affirmed that it will be difficult for ASEAN to anticipate the recession if the member countries implement trade protection policies and do not encourage a mutually beneficial trade system./.
