Empowering Consumers: Top 5 Highlights from the 44th ISO COPOLCO Plenary 2023

The 44th ISO Committee on Consumer Policy (COPOLCO) Plenary, hosted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in New Delhi from May 23-26, 2023, concluded on a promising note, echoing the commitment towards empowering consumers for a sustainable future. The plenary brought together several senior officials, scientists, and representatives from member countries of ISO and various Indian consumer organizations, both in-person and online.

The keynote address was delivered by Nidhi Khare, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, who emphasised the significant progress in consumer protection and the crucial role of sustainability in standardisation.

As a cornerstone event in the realm of consumer engagement, this plenary offered a platform for in-depth discussions, exchange of experiences, and showcasing best practices for consumer engagement, further reinforcing the commitment of ISO and BIS towards consumer-centric standardization and sustainable development.

Q1: What was the main focus of the keynote address during the 44th ISO COPOLCO Plenary?

A: In her keynote address, Ms. Nidhi Khare, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, highlighted the significant improvements made in consumer protection in recent years. She underscored the importance of sustainability in standardisation and urged manufacturers to design products with sustainability parameters in mind to reduce e-waste.

During her keynote address, Ms. Nidhi Khare mentioned, “We have made significant improvement in the area of consumer protection during the recent years. Also, robust consumer grievance redressal systems have been developed to help fast-tracking resolution of such matters.” While stressing the need to keep sustainability as a core consideration in standardisation, she said, “Manufacturers should ensure that products are designed for sustainability parameters, they can also be partners in the process of reducing e-waste.”

Q2: How is the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) enhancing consumer engagement in standardisation?

A: Mamta Upadhyay Lal, Additional Director General, BIS, pointed out that BIS has initiated a wide range of initiatives, like Manak Manthan and Quality Connect, aimed at increasing consumer engagement in standardisation.

She mentioned, “BIS has taken up a wide range of initiatives, such as Manak Manthan, Quality Connect etc. which are aimed at enhancing consumer engagement in standardisation.”

Q3: What were the objectives of the 44th COPOLCO Plenary?

A: The Plenary aimed to empower consumers for a sustainable future, by promoting discussions and exchanges of national and international experiences on the challenges consumers face when making sustainable choices. It also aimed to advance the development of the circular economy.

ISO Officials attending the Plenary stated that the 44th COPOLCO Plenary has successfully achieved its objectives of empowering consumers for a sustainable future, through in-depth discussions and exchange of national and international experiences of the challenges that consumers face in making sustainable choices and promoting the development of the circular economy.

Q4: How is the ISO incorporating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its work?

A: ISO officials declared that ISO has renewed its commitment to include the objectives of the UN SDGs in its standards programme. It is also prioritising the inclusion of vulnerable stakeholders most affected by climate change in its standards and policy work.

The officials also informed that ISO has renewed its commitment to incorporate the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into its standards programme and giving a voice to vulnerable stakeholders most affected by climate change in its standards and policy work.

Q5: What is the significance of the ISO Committee on Consumer Policy (COPOLCO) plenary?

A: The COPOLCO plenary is the flagship annual event of ISO in the area of consumer engagement. It aims to strengthen standardisation processes and enhance consumer participation across the globe. This year’s plenary was particularly significant due to the people-centric approach and themes such as ‘Challenges and Good Practices for Consumer Engagement’, ‘Empowering Consumers for a Sustainable Future’, and ‘Consumer Protection and Legal Frameworks’.

Notably, the plenary of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Committee on Consumer Policy (COPOLCO) is the flagship annual event of the multilateral organisation in the area of consumer engagement. ISO boasts 168 countries as members and holds a range of sensitive meetings of stakeholder groups, committees and communities with an objective to strengthen the process of standardization and enhance consumer participation across the globe.

Also Read: What Is The Difference Between A Customer And A Consumer?

(India CSR)