SEOUL, KOREA — “Less waste, better result - Standards increase efficiency.”
This is the message that was announced at the 2012 World Standard Day held by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It is meant to emphasize the role of the “Standard” for contributing to sustainable growth. In other words, increased efficiency through Standards will minimize total waste while achieving success in poor conditions such as economic uncertainty and over-competitive economic environments.
World Standard Day was established in London on October 14th, 1946, when 25 world powers gathered to pass a resolution to found a new international organization for the united standard cooperation. It has now become a global event where 167 member countries of the ISO including the United States, Japan, and China hold its own ceremony.
Korea has held its annual ceremony on World Standard Day since 2000. This year’s ceremony was held at the Coex on the 12th of October and attended by Prime Minister Hwang-sik Kim, Vice Minister of Knowledge Economy Sang-jik Yoon, President of Korea Employers Federation Hee-bum Lee, and president of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kyung-shik Sohn.
Prime Minister Kim said, “As the global market is united through globalization, securing the standard is the shortcut to dominating the global market.” He added, “With FTA spreading quickly, tariff-driven trade barriers are disappearing, and technology regulations including standards are emerging as a new form of trade barriers. Each nation is putting forth every possible effort to make their technologies the world standards as well as develop new technologies and raise product competitiveness.” He also emphasized that since Korea’s response to the international standards is ranked 10th in the world, the nation should put more effort not to fall behind in standard competition.
This year the government increased the R&D budget for standardization by 22%. It established a comprehensive promotion system across all departments to strengthen the relationship between R&D, patents, and standards so original domestic technologies can be up to the global standards. The government also plans to improve the repetitive and unreasonable regulations in certification of standards to relieve enterprises of the economic burden while trying to become a member of the ISO. All of this is in response to the global standards emerging as a new trade barrier.
World Standards Day is a major event regarding standardization in Korea because the government ultimately rewards organizations that contribute to improving national competitiveness. The event featured an animation video clip that enabled the public to share the message of the World Standards Day and performances for promotion of standards by Gag Concert team members.
In the individual sector, Professor Byung-gu Kang of Korea University was awarded a Red Stripes Medal for his contribution to the education of standard personnel and establishment of national standard policies. Professor Hae-sung Lee of Jeon-ju University was awarded a Geunjung Medal for his contribution to establishing a Technical Committee (TC) in the field of Printed Electronics at the IEC for the first time in Korea. Seung-moon Ryu, president of DongYeon system and Deok-ho Jo, vice president of Korea Conformity Laboratories received the presidential citation, and Sang-su Seo, team leader of Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Lee Jae-young, professor at Korea Polytechnic University, and Kwon-sup Song, president of JungWon Iron Casting Corp. garnered Prime Minister’s citation.
In the team sector, the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute and Tech-sphere won the presidential citation, and Steco and Quality Instection Office were awarded with the Prime Minister’s citation. This year three out of the eleven governmental awards (prime minister’s and presidential citations) went to small- and medium-sized companies, which showed their active participation and potential in the field of standardization.
Meanwhile, two standard experts from Korea were nominated for IEC 1906 Award that is given to an expert who has made a substantial contribution to the promotion of global standardization.
Eleven teams were awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Standardization Excellent Results Contest including the SK hynix semiconductor team, which was awarded a gold medal.
