The Institute for Standardization of Serbia (ISS) conducted a study on the impact of standards on businesses in the Republic of Serbia. This research was realized within the Czech program for the development of bilateral cooperation "Support for the improvement and development of the Quality Infrastructure Sector of Serbia", with support from the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Serbia and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The research was inspired by a similar study recently published by the Bureau for Standardization of Belgium (NBN). It aimed to collect data on the level of knowledge and implementation of standards and assess the benefits and costs associated with their implementation from the point of view of the standards customers.
Almost 200 organizations participated in the research, mostly from the SME sector. About 90% of them affirmed to use standards in their business, with a specific focus on standards for management systems. The most significant values obtained by implementing standards indicated by the participants are improved relations with their customers and the ability to deliver a product or service that is in line with market requirements. When it comes to costs associated with implementing standards, nearly half of the organizations identified the costs for certification and conformity with standards as dominant.
The results were published in a ISS publication, publicly available on the ISS website.
Giovanni COLLOT
gcollot@cencenelec.eu
