Global standards and best-practice regulations adopted in key markets
Action 1.2C
The Government will support capacity building projects in the Indo-Pacific to encourage the harmonisation of international standards and the adoption of Australian regulatory approaches.
recommendation/s
Encourage greater regulator-to-regulator cooperation to promote the adoption of consistent regulatory approaches in our region (ideally, similar to or compatible with Australia’s). This is particularly important in areas of new opportunity.
The Australian Government should continue to invest in capacity development in our region to help developing countries both adopt international standards and participate in international standards development.
Government identify and facilitate opportunities to promote the adoption of Australia’s standards and regulations overseas in areas where they are recognised as international best practice.
Progress to date
In 2019-2020, Australia contributed nearly $200,000 to develop and test regional occupational standards for five occupations in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry across five APEC economies.
The Government is working with Australia’s quality infrastructure organisations to contribute to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat-coordinated ‘Pacific Quality Infrastructure Initiative’. Now in its second phase, this aims to support technical capacity building efforts in the region.
Standards Australia is working with other National Standards Bodies and regional and international standards organisations to build capacity and harmonise standards in the Indo-Pacific region. The capacity building work that is being undertaken will promote economic integration by strengthening the national standardisation systems of our neighbours, and through encouraging the development and adoption of international standards. Current projects include:
- supporting the standards stream of work under the Pacific Quality Infrastructure Initiative (PQII), now in its second phase, that aims to support quality infrastructure capacity building efforts in the region; and,
- running a range of workshops under the ASEAN-Australia Digital Trade Standards (DTS) Initiative that supports greater implementation of digital trade standards by ASEAN Member States.