South Asian Regional Standards Organisation (SARSO) Chandan Bahl Scientist E(International Relations) Bureau of Indian Standards India.

ABOUT SAARCSouth Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

(SAARC) was formally launched in 1985 Its seven founding members are Bangladesh,

Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan joined SAARC in 2007

The main objectives of SAARC are to place regional cooperation on a firm foundation, accelerate the pace of social and economic development of the countries, and further the cause of peace, progress and stability in the region.

TRADE AND REGULATORY COOPERATION

With the increase in non-tariff barriers in trade, countries/ regions need to look at ways to combat them and thus Regulatory Cooperation assumes importance.

Harmonization of technical standards and mutual recognition of conformity assessment procedures between trading partners are forms of Regulatory Cooperation that helps in removing the technical barriers to trade and facilitates flow of goods and services in the region.

ESTABLISHMENT OF SARSO- BACKGROUND

SAARC Committee on Economic Cooperation (CEC) - established in 1991, for identifying and implementing programmes in the core area of economic and trade cooperation.

The Sub-Group on Standards and Quality working under the auspices of the CEC in its 2nd meeting on 30-31 August 2006, decided to set up the SAARC Standards Coordination Board (SSCB), as a precursor to the setting up of the SAARC Regional Standards Body

SSCB comprised of a member from each of the National Standards Body of the Member States

ESTABLISHMENT OF SARSO- BACKGROUND

SSCB at its 3rd meeting held on 1-2 Nov 2007, recommended for setting up of the SAARC Regional Standards Body, to be formally named as the South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO)

SSCB approved the text of the draft agreement for establishment of SARSO

SARSO AGREEMENTThe Agreement on the Establishment of the South Asia

Regional Standards Organization (SARSO), was signed at 15th SAARC Summit held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 2nd - 3rd August, 2008, by the Foreign Ministers of the SAARC Member States

The Agreement on establishment of SARSO has since been ratified by all Member States with Afghanistan ratifying the Agreement in May 2011.

The Agreement on establishment of SARSO has entered into force with effect from 25 August 2011 with issuance of Notification to this effect by the SAARC Secretariat.

SARSO is to be located in Dhaka, Bangladesh The first meeting of the Governing Board of SARSO is

likely to be held in December 2011 in Bangladesh

OBJECTIVES OF SARSO

To promote and undertake harmonization of national standards of the SAARC Member States with a view to removing TBT and facilitate flow of goods and services in the region

To develop SAARC standards on the products of regional/sub-regional interest

To encourage the use of international standards published by ISO, IEC, etc. by way of adoption, where appropriate, as SAARC Standards

OBJECTIVES OF SARSO (Contd..)

To encourage exchange of information and expertise among the NSBs of the Member States in the fields of Standardization and Conformity Assessment

To facilitate capacity building among the Member States in the fields of Standardization and Conformity Assessment by way of training, workshops, seminars, etc

To act as a source of information for the Member States on standards, regulations, conformity assessment

To present the common interests of the Member States in the various international standardization organisations

OBJECTIVES OF SARSO (Contd..)

To establish mutually beneficial cooperation with the relevant international and regional organizations as per relevant SAARC guidelines

To promote MRAs on Conformity Assessment

Procedures among the Member States

To encourage sharing of facilities relating to conformity assessment procedures among the Member States

To explore the possibility of having a common mark of conformity among the Member States

To undertake any other task(s) as deemed appropriate.

STRUCTURE OF SARSO

The Organisation shall comprise of:Governing BoardTechnical Management Board (TMB)Director-General; andSecretariat.

Composition of Governing Board

highest authority of SARSO vested with all powers relating to its functioning.

consists of the Heads of respective NSB of each Member State. Each Member and his/her Alternate shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing Member State.

The Chairperson of TMB, the Secretary General of SAARC or his representative and the Head of the Secretariat to be the ex-officio Members of the Governing Board.

Functions of Governing Board (GB)

GB may create and assign other entities, as and when required, for the smooth operation of the activities of SARSO

In line with the objectives and functions of SARSO, GB shall formulate policies for the effective functioning of SARSO

GB may also give directives and provide guidance to the other organs of SARSO including TMB and Sectoral Technical Committees.

Technical Management Board (TMB)consists of one technical expert nominated by

each NSB of the Member States.

responsible for the planning, coordination and monitoring of all the technical work of SARSO.

may establish Sectoral Technical Committees (STC) as and when deemed necessary for development of harmonised standards

scope and programme of work for each STC under TMB shall be approved by GB

shall meet at least annually preferably immediately before GB meetings and submit its reports to GB

Director-General and the Secretariat

SARSO shall be headed by a Director-General who will be appointed by the Governing Board for a period of three years from among the nationals of the Member States

The Organisation shall have a Secretariat

consisting of officers and staff

ON GOING WORK

Development of SAARC StandardsThe following products have been identified for

harmonization/development of SAARC Standards: Sugar Skimmed Milk Powder Biscuits

Instant Noodles Vegetable Ghee Electric CablesTextile Fabric Jute CementSteel Tubes Structural Steel Toilet

Soap

Sector based approach adopted for harmonization/ development of SAARC standards with setting up of Sectoral Technical Committees

(i) Food and Agricultural Products(ii)        Electrical, Electronics, Telecoms and IT(iii)       Jute, Textiles & Leather(iv)       Building Materials(v)        Chemical and Chemical Products

ON GOING WORK

Draft SAARC Agreement on Implementation of Regional Standards

The objective of this agreement is to provide the framework as well as the guiding principles for implementation of the SAARC standards

ON GOING WORK

Draft SAARC Agreement on Multilateral Arrangement on Recognition of Conformity

Assessment

The objective of this Agreement is to facilitate SAARC Member States to accept results of

conformity assessment

EXPECTED BENEFITS – INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

Harmonization of national standards of the Member States would help in removing the technical barriers to trade and facilitate flow of goods and services in the region

Facilitate in projecting common interests of the Member States in the various international standardization organizations

Facilitate acceptance of results of conformity assessment amongst the countries in the region, and

Facilitate capacity building among Member States

THANK YOU