Armenia becomes board member of International Organization for Standardization

August 3, 2010 - 15:00 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Director of the RA National Institute of Standards Enok Azaryan said that in July Armenia has been elected a board member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Over 50 countries voted for Armenia’s membership in the ISO board, Azaryan told a press conference in Yerevan.

“The common methodology of standardization will allow Armenian entrepreneurs to avoid problems with export of their products. All issues related to commerce and trade turnover in 162 countries included in the ISO will be solved through common standardization,” he said.

Azaryan noted that standardization is carried out on a voluntary basis – at the option of producer. But a company will not be able to enter the European market without standardization.

In case of violation of standardization and compliance rules, fines are envisaged at the amount of AMD 100,000-300,000. The Ministry of Agriculture and the Service for Protection of Consumers’ Rights carry out inspections on compliance of foodstuffs and non-foods with standards respectively.

According to Azaryan, around 20,000 people apply for standardization per year. Meanwhile, the cost of certificate varies from AMD 1.5-3.5mln, depending on type and scope of activity. Certificates are issued for three years.

In addition, Azaryan said that the RA National Institute of Standards was awarded an ISO special prize in Tbilisi on July 27.

The ISO was established in 1946 by five national organizations for standardization. Currently, the ISO comprises of 162 member states, out of which 105 states are full members of the organization. Armenia has become an ISO member in 1997.