Standards can be as good as the quality of people and the diversity of inputs that go into the standardization process. If the quality of people and the diversity of experiences and backgrounds in the relevant field that they come from are not good, then the standardization process will have an output that is not world class. So also, the inputs that are considered while formulating a standard at its various stages to validate assumptions and assimilate complex practical situations that will be encountered in actual field implementations, then the standardization process will not be world class.
In India, the standardization process that is driven by BIS has a general mandate to follow the IEC / ISO standards, especially after the WTO rounds for removing trade barriers and it is felt that country specific standards create trade barriers. This has resulted in a general trend towards adopting IEC standards in totality as Indian standards. However whether it removes trade barriers or create new trade barriers is a question that only time will answer.
To be able to make best of this prevailing situation requires Indian standardization efforts to reach new level from where it is today, by actively participating in International standardization efforts as a voting member, creating a culture within Indian Industry and Universities to actively participate in such activities, creating a mechanism for frequent interactions and ensuring that the right people are given the right platforms so that we have a culture that transcends time and drives the next round of growth of this country.
It is important to be a voting member of all committees of ISO / IEC, since being in a globalised wolrd, there is rarely a standard that does not impact India and hence we have to be part of what-ever is happening around the world. We have to send representatives from India for all discussions / conference meetings etc., and ensure that in all technical committees of the International bodies, an Indian representation is present.
It is important for us to participate actively in standardization efforts, drive the requirements, be testing ground for new standards and also ensure that our industry and university are in synchronization with what is happening in the committees. For this we have to ensure that, there is a domestic standardization activity that is robust and active, that creates a platform for our best people to participate, debate and form a community that is able to share ideas, bring together good minds to the effort, and make available forum's for standardization debates in the various conferences that happen in India. This brings to the front a set of people who can actually be our representatives in International standardization activities. Like the western countries, we need to work towards a target of having a dis-proportionate number of our representatives in the standardization committees.
If we are able to work on these goals, we will be in reality be laying the foundation for a culture that enables our country to contribute to the global standardization effort commensurate with our capabilities as a nation, and also create a positive environment that helps the country internally in its various other efforts.
Prasanth
