MEDIA RELEASE

STANDARDS NEW ZEALAND MEDIA RELEASE
14 March 2013

Standards Council welcomes discussion on future of national Standards body

The Standards Council and its operating arm, Standards New Zealand, welcome the discussion document released today by Commerce Minister Craig Foss seeking feedback on the future of the national Standards body, Standards Council Chair John Lumsden said today.

‘The discussion document follows a review by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) last year of New Zealand’s standards and conformance infrastructure. The Standards Council also welcomed the review as it represented an opportunity to move New Zealand Standards development to a more sustainable footing. The Standards Council and Standards New Zealand have worked closely with MBIE on this review.

‘Standards and the role they play in all areas of the New Zealand economy – promoting safety, productivity, and innovation – are vital and it is imperative that the development of Standards is supported by a viable and well-functioning national Standards body.

‘On behalf of the Standards Council, I strongly encourage those who wish to ensure their national Standards body is financially sustainable and able to keep developing world-class Standards to have their say by responding to the discussion document.’
• View the discussion document Proposals to enhance the delivery of Standards by New Zealand’s national standards body at www.mbie.govt.nz/about-us/consultation/consultation-on-proposals-to-enhance-the-delivery-of-standards-by-new-zealands-national-standards-body

==ENDS==
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Standards New Zealand is the operating arm of the Standards Council, and part of New Zealand’s standards and conformance infrastructure. Standards New Zealand is an autonomous Crown entity responsible for managing the development and distribution of Standards across a range of sectors nationally.
Standards New Zealand is a self-funded, not-for-profit organisation, relying on revenue primarily from contracts with sponsors to develop Standards, and from sales of Standards publications. Our independence helps us facilitate a cross section of stakeholders’ contributions to the development of Standards, and ensure that each Standard meets the needs of end users.
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