On Thursday and Friday, July 4th and 5th, SIST (Slovenian Institute for Standardization) hosted the Balkan Conference of Standardization Bodies at the Bled Rose Hotel. The event brought together representatives from the national standardization bodies of various Balkan countries, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Romania. The participants exchanged best practices, discussed common challenges, and showcased how individual national bodies operate and promote the importance of standards.
The conference opened with a keynote address by Dr Bogdan Topič, President of the Slovenian Institute for Standardization. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of international cooperation and harmonization of standards, which contribute to improving the quality of products and services and enhancing global market competitiveness.
Throughout the conference, numerous thematic panels were held where participants discussed various current challenges. Special attention was given to the exchange of best practices. Representatives from individual national standardization bodies shared their successful projects and initiatives that have contributed to raising awareness of the importance of standards among businesses and the broader public.
One of the key highlights of the conference was the importance of education and awareness about standards. Participants presented various educational programs and campaigns aimed at both professionals and the general public. The goal of these programs is to increase the understanding and use of standards, which contribute to greater competitiveness and quality in the market.
In the closing remarks, SIST agreed that the exchange of experiences and best practices is crucial for the further development of standardization in the Balkans.
The Balkan Conference of Standardization Bodies was thus an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences while strengthening mutual ties among the countries of the region. SIST is confident that the outcome of this conference will positively impact the further development of standardization and contribute to a more connected and successful region.
