Homes for tomorrow —? ISO highlights consumer concerns in standards
The ISO Committee on consumer policy (ISO/COPOLCO) organized its annual workshop on the theme, Homes for tomorrow – Building through standards, raising the question: how can standards help our homes best reflect trends and daily realities in an evolving world?
The 33rd ISO/COPOLCO workshop was held on 24 May in London, hosted by the ISO member for the United Kingdom, the British Standards Institution (BSI). It included presentations by speakers from Australia, North America and Europe representing consumer organizations and companies from the building sector.
About 130 participants from 46 countries representing consumer associations, business, industry, public authorities and national standardization bodies attended the workshop and discussed possible ways in which standards could address issues in two major areas: ”Greening our homes” and “Rebuilding after disasters”.
There is a growing demand worldwide for more sustainable consumption of goods and services. In addition, recent disasters around the world have highlighted a number of pressing consumer needs: these include viable and effective housing options for stricken populations, and designing housing to help mitigate the effects of disasters when they occur.
Mike Low, Director of Standards, BSI, warmly welcomed the participants and highlighted the 60 years of involvement of British Standards in consumer issues. He encouraged participants to exchange ideas as much as they could during the workshop and the related ISO/COPOLCO plenary on 25-26 May because the challenge is how to involve consumers in developing standards.