The visit was hosted by the Federal Agency on Technical Regulating and Metrology (Rosstandart) and led by the head of Rosstandart, Alexey Abramov.
On February 5, Dmitry Medvedev, the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, met with international standardization`s leaders. They discussed the development and implementation of modern standards, primarily in the field of industry, enhancement of Russia's participation in ISO activities, as well as a potential of our country in the framework of international organization.
Also during this visit, a number of expert activities were held. Main attention during these activities was paid to the analysis of ISO development strategy and priority areas of Russian experts’ work in the international organization on such topics as smart cities, unmanned vehicles, robots, Internet of things, blockchain technology. A round table at the National Institute of Standardization on February 5 was devoted to these issues. The discussion was also attended by representatives of the Youth Policy Council under the Head of Rosstandart. Young specialists asked ISO representatives about the future of «standardizer» profession, what a «digital» standard is and how the model of standards dissemination will change in the nearest future. John Walter shared his experience of interaction with ISO in the capacity of CEO of Standardization Council of Canada.
On February 6, a meeting with representatives of Russian business community was held at Skolkovo Innovation Center. The main topic of the round table was the use of international standardization tools as a competitive advantage in the international market. John Walter and Sergio Mujica discussed with Russian Executives ISO plans to develop standards for new technologies, language barriers during joint work on international standards and different formats for an effective participation of Russian business in ISO activities.
«We are ready to work in all existing formats of interaction with experts from other countries on the development of modern standards. And these standards should not be just relevant. They should set forward trends and become a vector for markets development, help our business to reach a new technological level. ISO actively supports Russia's participation in such projects, and we will strive to bring our country to a new level of global competitiveness» - said the head of Rosstandart, Alexey Abramov.
In the atmosphere of open and honest dialogue, representatives of business community also raised the issue of economic effect for business if they participate in the development of international standards, as well as the issue of copyright protection in the development of international standardization documents which target innovative products.
ISO President and ISO Secretary-General have repeatedly noted that their visit is an expression of their support for the Russian Federation and its national standardization body (Rosstandart) at the national and international level. Establishing strong contacts, as well as an understanding of goals and priorities for the Russian industry development, is an excellent opportunity to build a solid foundation of relationships in promoting Russian developments at the international level. As ISO President John Walter noted: «ISO needs Russia and Russia needs ISO».
For reference: The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) promotes the development of standardization and enhancing the role of standards throughout the world. Its main task is cooperation development and international exchange in the intellectual, scientific, technical and economic fields of activity. Today, ISO members represent 164 countries. Its structure has about 786 technical bodies that are engaged in the development of standards. The central governing body of ISO is a General Assembly. The executive bodies are ISO Council, which consists of elected leaders of the national standardization bodies of the Member States and ISO President, elected for a two-year term. The Russian Federation has been an ISO member since its inception. Interests of the Russian Federation in ISO are currently represented by the Federal Agency for Technical Regulating and Metrology (Rosstandart).
