Participation in ISO - a win-win experience in Malaysia

摘要

Malaysia commenced its participation in internation-al standards committees almost 30 years ago, in the mid-1980s. The national standards community has made significant qualitative and quantitative improvements in participation since then. The achievements have been gradual and have been driven by both national economic needs and policies adopted by the national standards body. Participation has been mutually beneficial, both serving the economic interests of Malaysia as well as contributing to ISO and the international standards community. Malaysia, then known as Malaya, achieved independence from Great Britain in 1957. The use of British standards was well established, especially in the construction and regulated sectors. Malaysian standards development was initiated by government almost 10 years after inde-pendence, with the establishment of a national standards body in 1966. The first objectives of standardization were aligned to national economic development. The government planned economic diversification away from an agricultural and mining economy. Industrial development and growth of a manufacturing industry supplying to the domestic market were encouraged. National standards were implemented to support this policy through product certification and use for government procurement.