Quality Systems and Standards for a Competitive Edge

Аннотация

This book argues for the urgent need for countries to move forward aggressively on adopting and upgrading quality and standards. The focus is on developing countries, many of which are lagging in the race for standards adoption, and within that category, on middle-income countries. The book analyzes the economic impact of quality and standards on economic growth, on international trade, and as an entry point for the industrial upgrading and mainstreaming of small enterprises. It offers detailed guidelines for the creation of national quality systems that can effectively support the use and adoption of standards. It describes the optimal structure for a national quality system, evaluates the precise roles of the public and private sectors, and proposes best-practice guidelines and norms for these roles. It also addresses the financing issue, including the extent of and rationale for targeted subsidies, and questions of jurisdiction. Special emphasis is given to international integration through mutual recognition agreements that enhance access to external markets-a key objective for developing countries.