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EVALUATION:UNECE’ssupporttotheadvancementofRegulatoryCooperationandStandardizationPoliciesinmember

States(WorkingParty6)

UNITEDNATIONSECONOMICCOMMISSIONOFEUROPE

FINALREPORT

December5,2019ByMs.ChantelleMcCabe,Evaluatorchantellemccabe@gmail.com

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1. Acronyms..............................................................................................................4

2. ExecutiveSummary...............................................................................................5

3. Introduction..........................................................................................................7(a) Purpose...............................................................................................................................................................7(b) Scopeofactivitiesforevaluation............................................................................................................7(c)Background..........................................................................................................................................................94. Methodology.......................................................................................................12A. Keyevaluationquestions...........................................................................................................................12B. Evaluationmethodsanddatacollectioninstruments...................................................................13C. Limitations........................................................................................................................................................14

5. Evaluationfindings..............................................................................................145.1 Relevance........................................................................................................................................................155.1.1 Hastheworkmetneedsthatitstargets/beneficiarieshaveexpressedandagreedto? 155.1.2 IstheworkconsistentwiththemandateoftheTradesub-programmeanditsglobalpriorities?....................................................................................................................................................................195.1.3 HowrelevantisthecollaborationwithotherentitiesintheUNsystemandotherinternationalorganizations?..............................................................................................................................205.1.4 HowrelevantareWorkingParty6activitieswithregardtogenderequalityandempowermentofwomen?....................................................................................................................................255.1.5 Doestheprogrammeincorporatetheperspectiveofvulnerablegroupsinthedesignoftherecommendations?.....................................................................................................................................26

5.2 Effectiveness..................................................................................................................................................285.2.1 Whatoutcomeshavebeenachieved,bothexpectedandunexpected,positiveandnegative?.....................................................................................................................................................................285.2.2 WhatvaluehasUNECE’seffortsadded?........................................................................................335.2.3 Whatwerethechallenges/obstaclestoachievingtheactivities’objectiveandexpectedaccomplishments?................................................................................................................................34

5.3 Efficiency.........................................................................................................................................................355.3.1 Istherelationshipbetweencost(funds,time)andresultsreasonable?..........................355.3.2 Aretheresufficientresourcestoachievetheintendedoutcomes?.....................................37

5.4 Sustainability.................................................................................................................................................385.4.1 Whatisthelikelihoodthatbenefitsofthenormativeworkwillcontinueaftercompletionandwithoutoverburdeningpartnerinstitutions?............................................................385.4.2 Towhatextentdopartnersandbeneficiariesparticipateinand"own"theoutcomesofthework?................................................................................................................................................................39

5.5 Impact...............................................................................................................................................................425.5.1 TowhatextenthastheworkcontributedtoimpactattheUNECElevel?......................425.5.2 Whatnegativeimpacthasthenormativeworkproduced,directlyorindirectly,intendedorunintended?.......................................................................................................................................435.5.3 HavetheoutcomesofWP6ledtonewpoliciesorpolicychangesinthememberStates?445.5.4 Havethestandardsproducedbeenusedbyothercountriesoutsideoftheregion?..465.5.5 Havethestandardsdevelopedhelpedtostrengthentheapplicationofgendermainstreamingprinciplesandcontributetosubstantialandmeaningfulchangesinthesituationofthemostvulnerablegroups?......................................................................................................49

6. Conclusions.........................................................................................................51

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7. Recommendations..............................................................................................52

8. Annexes..............................................................................................................54AnnexA. TermsofReference.........................................................................................................................54AnnexB. ListofDocumentsReviewed......................................................................................................55AnnexC. ListofInterviewees........................................................................................................................56AnnexD. SurveyQuestionnaires..................................................................................................................58AnnexE:GuidelinesfortheEstablishmentandFunctioningofWorkingPartieswithinUNECE,EconomicCommissionforEurope,ExecutiveCommittee,ECE/EX/1,9October2006..............................................................................................................................................................................61AnnexF:GuidelinesforEstablishmentofTeamofSpecialists............................................................62

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1. AcronymsANSI-AmericanNationalStandardsInstituteAPEC-AsiaPacificEconomicCooperationBIPM-BureauInternationaldesPoidsetMesuresCEN-EuropeanCommitteeforStandardizationCENELEC-EuropeanCommitteeforElectrotechnicalStandardizationCIPM-InternationalCommitteeofWeightsandMeasuresCIS-CommonwealthofIndependentStatesEC-EuropeanCommissionECOSOC–EconomicandSocialCouncil,oneofthesixprincipalorgansoftheUnitedNationsEU–EuropeanUnionGRM-(WorkingParty6)GroupofExpertsonRiskManagementinRegulatorySystemsICES-InternationalCouncilfortheExplorationoftheSeaIEC-InternationalElectrotechnicalCommissionISEAL-InternationalSocialandEnvironmentalAccreditationandLabellingAllianceISO-InternationalOrganisationforStandardisationITC-InternationalTradeCentreITU–InternationalTelecommunicationUnionMARSGroup–(WorkingParty6)AdvisoryGrouponMarketSurveillanceOECD-OrganisationforEconomicCooperationandDevelopmentSDGs–SustainableDevelopmentGoalsSMEs-smallandmediumenterprisesSTART-EdGroup–(WorkingParty6)TaskforceonEducationonStandardsandStandards-relatedissuesUN–UnitedNationsUN/CEFACT-UnitedNationsCentreforTradeFacilitationandElectronicBusinessUNCTAD-UnitedNationsConferenceonTradeandDevelopmentUN/FLUX-UnitedNationsFisheriesLanguageforUniversaleXchangeUNIDO-UnitedNationsIndustrialDevelopmentOrganisationUNISDR-UnitedNationsOfficeforDisasterRiskReductionWorkingParty6-UNECE’sWorkingParty6onRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesWTO-WorldTradeOrganisationWWF-WorldWildlifeFund

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2. ExecutiveSummaryThisisanindependentsub-programmelevelevaluationforUNECE’sTradesub-programme,theareawhichwasidentifiedforthe2018-2019evaluationworkplan,inparticularWorkingParty6onRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies.ThepurposeofthisevaluationistoreviewUNECE’ssupporttotheadvancementofRegulatoryCooperationandStandardizationPoliciestomemberStates(WorkingParty6)towardsachievingthe2030Agendawithafocusongenderequalityandtheempowermentofwomen.Thisevaluationassessestherelevance,effectiveness,efficiency,sustainabilityandimpactofWorkingParty6insupportingmemberStatestoreducetechnicalbarrierstotradeandincreaseregulatorycoherenceinsectorsthathaveacriticalimpactonsustainabledevelopment.ThescopeencompassesallactivitiesundertakenundertheauspicesofWorkingParty6fromJanuary2015toDecember2018.UNECE’sgeographicalscopecovers56memberStateslocatedinEurope,NorthAmerica,1theCaucasus,2CentralAsia3andWesternAsia.4However,manyofitsstandardsandlegalinstrumentsareusedworldwide,andanumberofcountriesoutsidetheregionparticipateinUNECE’snormativework.ThisincludesWorkingParty6’snormativework,aswellassomeofthenormativeworkinthefollowingsubprogrammes:Environment,Statistics,SustainableEnergy,Transport.5Withrespecttomethodology,theevaluationusedamixofdatasources:(i)primarydatacollectionthroughsurveyquestionnairesandin-depthkeyinformantinterviews;and(ii)secondarydatathroughadeskreviewofprojectdocumentsandotherrelevantmaterials.Theevaluationusesbothquantitativeandqualitativedata.Dataanalysishasusedtriangulationwherepossible.Theevaluatorhasusedgenderanalysisandahumanrightsbasedapproach,inlinewithUnitedNationsEvaluationGroup(UNEG)normsandstandards.RegardingrelevancetheevaluationfoundthattheworkofWorkingParty6(i)hasmettheneedsthatitstargetsandbeneficiarieshaveexpressedandagreedto;(ii)isconsistentwiththemandateoftheTradesub-programmeanditsestablishedmandates;(iii)ishighlyrelevantforthebroadvarietyofpartnershipsitmaintains;(iv)theGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativeishighlyrelevantwithrespecttogenderequalityandempowermentofwomen;and(v)incorporatedtheperspectiveofvulnerablegroupsinthedesignofrecommendationswellwithrespecttowomenandpersonswithdisabilities.Intermsofeffectiveness,theevaluationfoundthatWorkingParty6hasachievedpositiveoutcomesinallitsareasofintervention.WorkingParty6’seffortshaveaddedvalueinrespectofprovidinganimpartialplatformforengagement,aforumforbestpracticesinitsthematicareas,andincreasingaccessibilitytostandardsformiddleincomecountriesandcountrieswitheconomiesintransition.Challengestoachievingtheactivities’objectiveandexpectedaccomplishmentsincludedresourceconstraints,limitedparticipationofmemberStatesandotherstakeholdersandlimitedengagementbetweenmeetings,implementationandthechallengesofenforcementofvoluntarystandards,andthelackofunderstandingofvariousstakeholdersofthelinkagesbetweenstandards,sustainabledevelopment,andgenderequality.Withrespecttoefficiency,theevaluationfoundthattherelationshipbetweencost(intermsoffundsandtime)andresultswasreasonable,giventhebreadthofthemandate,andthenature1CanadaandUSA.2Armenia,Azerbaijan,Georgia.3Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan,Tajikistan,TurkmenistanandUzbekistan.4Israel.5https://www.unece.org/info/where-we-work/where-we-work.html

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andvolumeofaccomplishmentscomparedtothebudgetandhumanresources.However,mindfulofthebudgetaryconstraints,itfoundthatthereareinsufficientresourcestoachievetheintendedoutcomes.Concerningsustainability,theevaluationfoundthatitwasnotlikelythatthebenefitsofthenormativeworkwouldcontinueaftercompletionandwithoutoverburdeningpartnerinstitutions.6TherewaslowparticipationofpartnersandbeneficiariesatannualmeetingsoftheWorkingPartyandatregularmeetingsofadvisorybodiesbyabroadrangeofstakeholders,includingduetolanguageandtimezonebarriersforsomeparticipants.Engagementbetweenmeetingswaschallengingduetotimeandfinancialresourcesofparticipantsandexperts,manyofwhomparticipateonaprobonobasis,notingthisissimilartootherUNECEWorkingParties.Therewasmediumtohighownershipoftheoutcomesofthework.Regardingimpact,theevaluationfoundthatWorkingParty6hasmadeapositivecontributionwithinUNECE,particularlythroughtheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative,andtheStandardsfortheSDGsproject(fundedbyextra-budgetaryresources),bothofwhichillustrateforcolleaguesthewiderrelevanceofstandardsforinternationallyagreedglobalgoalsforthe2030AgendaandtheUNSecretariat’spolicyofgendermainstreaming.Therehasbeennosignificantnegativeimpactofthenormativework.TheoutcomesoftheWorkingPartyhaveledtonewpoliciesorpolicychangesinmemberStatesinkeyareasincludingmarketsurveillance,regulatorycooperation,genderresponsivestandards,andequipmentforexplosiveenvironments.Likewise,countriesoutsideoftheEuroperegionhaveusedtheRecommendationsandotherdeliverablesofWorkingParty6,includinginregulatorycooperation,genderinclusivestandards,riskmanagement,disasterriskresilience,andstandardsfortheSDGs,illustratingtheimpactofWorkingParty6beyondtheUNECEmemberStates.TheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativehasstrengthenedtheapplicationofgendermainstreamingprinciplesinthedevelopmentofstandardsandtechnicalregulations,throughraisingawareness,andbyencouragingthedevelopmentofgenderactionplans.However,itistooearlytojudgewhethertherehavebeensubstantialandmeaningfulchangesinthesituationofmostvulnerablegroups,althoughtherehavebeenpositivestepsforwardandcertainlygreatpotentialforinfluenceregardingwomen,peoplewithdisabilities,andpeoplelivingindisasterproneareas.Recommendationshavebeenmadebasedupontheevaluationfindingsandconclusions,anddevelopedinconsultationwithstakeholders.

1. UpdateandreflecttheworkofWorkingParty6inlinewiththe2030Agenda,whichwasadoptedbyUNMemberStatesin2015.ReviewandupdatethetermsofreferenceofWorkingParty6inlinewiththeGuidelinesfortheEstablishmentandFunctioningofWorkingPartieswithinUNECE(ECE/EX/1paragraph3(d)–seeAnnex)toassessandproposenecessaryadjustmentstothemandateandstatusofWorkingParty6,andsubmittotheSteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards.

2. TakestepstoformallyestablishSTART-edandtheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative,inlinewiththeagreedguidanceandproceduresinAnnexF.

6WithbeneficiarycountriesneedingsupporttoimplementWorkingParty6bestpracticeandrecommendations.

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3. FindwaystoaddressinclusionandparticipationinWorkingParty6advisorygroups.7Thiscouldinclude(i)increasingrepresentationofwomeninallWorkingParty6advisorygroupstoincreaseinputofwomeninthestandardsdevelopmentprocess,toimprovegenderbalanceinthesebodies,andtoenhanceexpertisetocreateanddelivergenderinclusivity;(ii)settingupasystemofregionalhubsorrotatingthetimingofadvisorygroupvirtualmeetingssothatparticipantsintimezonesdifferenttoEuropemaybemoreeasilyincluded.

4. Explorewaystoaddressresourceconstraints,forexample,bymakingfulluseoftheresourcesassignedtoWorkingParty6,consideringredistributionofresourceswithintheSection,internsfromMaster’sprogrammesonstandardization,andextra-budgetaryprojectswithprojectfundedprojectmanagers.

5. Seekpartnershipswithabroadrangeofwomen’sorganisations,includingthoserepresentingvulnerablegroupsofwomen,ineachthematicareaandadvisorygrouptoseektheirperspectives,addresstheirneeds,andtoreachthosefurthestbehind.

6. InordertopresentthefindingsofthetwomostrecentWorkingParty6initiatives,considerdevelopingapublicationonGenderResponsiveStandardsandtheSustainableDevelopmentGoals,focusingonSDG5asastandaloneandcrosscuttinggoaltoshowcasehowstandardscontributetoachievementofgenderequality,gendermainstreaming,andachievementoftheSDGsintheUNECEregion.

3. Introduction

(a) PurposeThepurposeofthisevaluationistoreviewUNECE’ssupporttotheadvancementofRegulatoryCooperationandStandardizationPoliciestomemberStates(WorkingParty6oftheUNECESteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards)towardsachievingthe2030Agendawithafocusongenderequalityandtheempowermentofwomen.Thisevaluationassessestherelevance,effectiveness,efficiency,sustainabilityandimpactofWorkingParty6oftheSteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandardsinsupportingmemberStatestoreducetechnicalbarrierstotradeandincreaseregulatorycoherenceinsectorsthathaveacriticalimpactonsustainabledevelopment.Theresultsoftheevaluationareexpectedtocontributetothedevelopmentofalong-termvisionfortheprogrammeofworkofWorkingParty6.Itwillalsoidentifyissuesthatneedfurtherattentionandthatcouldleadtothedevelopmentofrecommendationsfortherevisionofworkingmodalitiesintheareaofstandardizationandinformdecisionsonimprovingtechnicalcooperationprojectsonregulatorycooperationandtheuseofstandards.

(b) ScopeofactivitiesforevaluationThe scope encompasses all activities undertaken under the auspices of theWorking Party on“Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies” of the UNECE Steering Committee onTrade Capacity and Standards from January 2015 to December 2018. UNECE’s geographicalscopecovers56memberStateslocatedinEurope,NorthAmerica,8theCaucasus,9CentralAsia10

7AdvisoryGrouponMarketSurveillance(MARS),GrouponEducationandStandardisation(START-Ed),GroupofExpertsonRiskManagementinRegulatorySystems(GRM),StandardisationandRegulatoryTechniques(START).8CanadaandUSA.9Armenia,Azerbaijan,Georgia.10Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan,Tajikistan,TurkmenistanandUzbekistan.

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andWesternAsia.11However,manyofitsstandardsandlegalinstrumentsareusedworldwide,and a number of countries outside the region participate in UNECE’s normative work. Thisincludes Working Party 6’s normative work, as well as some of the normative work in thefollowingsubprogrammes:Environment,Statistics,SustainableEnergy,Transport.12ActivitiesundertheevaluationincludetheentireprogrammeofworkoftheWorkingParty13,withaspecificfocusonthefollowing:- ActivitiesundertakenundertheRegularBudget,including:

o Theworkon“StandardsforDisasterRiskReduction”includingparticipationintheWorldConferenceonDisasterRiskReductioninSendai,Japan,inMarch2015;

o TheIEC-ISO-UNECEeventon"UsingandreferencingInternationalStandardstosupportpublicpolicy",inNovember2015

o Themini-workshopsheldaspartofthe2016AnnualSessionoftheWorkingParty,respectivelyon“StandardsforSustainableDevelopment”,“RiskManagementforRegulatorySystems”and“InternationalRegulatoryCooperation”

o TheInternationalConferenceonStandardsfortheSDGsheldbacktobacktothe27thAnnualSessionoftheWorkingPartyinNovember2017,

o TheHigh-levelsegmenton“StandardsfortheSustainableDevelopmentGoals”heldaspartofthe28thSessioninNovember2018

o TheWorkshoponhowtoapplytheUNECEMethodologyon“RiskManagementforRegulatorySystems”toSDG14on“Lifebelowwater”inGeesthacht,Germany,20-22February2017.

o TheICES/UNECESymposiumonRiskManagementtoolsandstandardsinsupportofSustainableDevelopmentGoal14Reykjavik,Iceland9-12October2018

o ThefourannualmeetingsoftheAdvisoryGrouponMarketSurveillanceandAnnualSessionsoftheWorkingPartyon“RegulatoryCooperationandStandardizationPolicies”

o Workunderthesectoralinitiatives(Earth-movingmachinery;Explosiveenvironments;Pipelines;Cybersecurity)

o Preparationandservicingof12webinarsoftheGroupofExpertsonRiskManagementinRegulatorySystems

o SupporttotheactivitiesoftheSTART-EdGroupon“EducationandStandards-relatedissues”

o PromotionandadvocacyfortheuseofstandardsinthecontextoftheimplementationoftheSendaiFrameworkofAction

o ContributiontotheworkoftheinitiativeestablishedbytheInternationalCentreforTradeandSustainableDevelopmentandtheWorldEconomicForum(E15Initiative)on“Strengtheningtheglobaltradeandinvestmentsystemforsustainabledevelopment”,specificallythetaskforceon“RegulatoryCoherence”.14

11Israel.12https://www.unece.org/info/where-we-work/where-we-work.html13http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2017/ECE_CTCS_WP.6_2017_6E_Programme_of_work_2018-19.pdf14PleasenoteregardingProgrammeofWork2018-2019,inadditiontoreportofthesectoralactivities(IIIb).Asregardsd:fullyimplementedandreporteduponastheGRMreporttotheWP.6http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2019/ECE_CTCS_WP.6_2019_7E.pdf.Asregardse)wasdelayeddueinsufficientpartnerorganizations’engagement,andwasthenpursuedin2019(organizationofahigh-levelpanelonEducationonStandardsRelatedissuesduringthe2019AnnualSessionoftheWP.6,http://www.unece.org/trade/wp6/wp6-29th-2019.htmlparticipationbytheSecretaryoftheWP.6asaspeakerintheWorldStandardsAcademicDay2019andintheannualworkshopof

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- Activitiesdevelopedundertheextra-budgetaryprojects“Strengtheningthenationalcapacityoftrade-supportinstitutionsofKyrgyzstan”and“EnhancingusageanduptakeofthestandardsforachievingtheSustainableDevelopmentGoals”,including:

o Thedatabaseon“StandardsfortheSDGs”,o Thecollectionofcasestudiesofcountrieshavingusedstandardstoadvance

towardstheimplementationofoneofthegoals,o TheStandardsfortheSDGsevent,co-organizedwiththeInternational

OrganizationforStandardization,- Normativeactivities–specificallydevelopmentoffournewrecommendations:

o RecommendationS(ApplyingPredictiveRiskManagementToolsforTargetedMarketSurveillance)

o RecommendationT(StandardsandRegulationsforSustainableDevelopment)ando RecommendationU(Gender-ResponsiveStandards)ando TworevisedRecommendations:RecommendationG(AcceptanceofConformity

AssessmentResults)andF(CreationandPromotionofInternationalAgreementsonConformityAssessment).

(c)BackgroundTheUnitedNationsEconomicCommissionforEurope(UNECE)wassetupin1947bytheUnitedNationsEconomicandSocialCouncil(ECOSOC).ItisoneoffiveregionalcommissionsoftheUnitedNations.UNECE’smajoraimistopromotepan-Europeaneconomicintegration.15TheSteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandardsisanintergovernmentalbodyoftheUNECEwhichoverseesandguidesthedevelopmentofinternationalnormsandstandards,proceduresandbestpracticesforreducingtransactioncostsassociatedwithexportandimportprocessesandincreasingtheefficiency,predictabilityandtransparencyoftraderegulationsandprocedures.16TheWorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies(WorkingParty6)isasubsidiarybodyoftheSteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards.WorkingParty6encouragesincreasedregulatorycoherenceinspecificsectorsthathaveacriticalimpactonsustainabledevelopmentandpromotesgreaterresiliencetonaturalandman-madehazards.17TheSteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandardshasasecondsubsidiarybody,theWorkingPartyonAgriculturalQualityStandards(WorkingParty7).Sincearound1970,theUNECEWorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardizationPolicieshasconstitutedaforumforcollaborationbetweenthestandardscommunityandpolicymakers.18UNECE’smandateinthefieldofstandardizationwasfirstformulatedin1969.It

ICES(theInternationalCooperationforEducationaboutStandardization)(Belgrade,October2019,ttps://www.worldstandardscooperation.org/2019/07/04/wsc-academic-day-2019/.g)wasalsoimplementedandreportedonaspartoftheGRMreports,http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2019/ECE_CTCS_WP.6_2019_7E.pdf.h)hadtobedroppedduetothefreezeintravelfundswhichmadeitimpossibletotravel.k)wasfullyimplementedandresultedinapublicationwhichwasalsomadeavailableasaUNECEparliamentarydocument,http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2015/WP6_2015_07E.pdf15https://www.unece.org/mission.html16https://www.unece.org/tradewelcome/steering-committee-on-trade-capacity-and-standards/about-us.html17http://www.unece.org/trade/wp6/welcome.html.18TheWorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardizationPolicieshadseveralpredecessorbodies:theGroupofGovernmentOfficialsResponsibleforStandardizationPolicies(1970;WorkingPartyonTechnicalHarmonizationandStandardizationPolicies.Inparticular,duringtheinitialyears,theUNECEactivitiesonstandardizationwerepursuedbyaGroup

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originatesinDecisionJ(XXIV)takenbytheCommissioninits24thsessioninApril1969(PartII,C.of2.d)ofE/ECE/747.19Subsequenttothisdecision,areportwaspreparedannuallyandanitemcalled“ActivitiesoftheCommissioninthefieldofstandardization”wasincludedintheAnnualReportoftheCommission.Inthe25thsessionofApril1970,throughDecisionH(XXV),theCommissiondecidedinteralia,20toendorsetherequestoftheFirstMeetingthat,inordertopromotestandardizationonaworldwidebasis,theExecutiveSecretaryshouldcommunicatetheresultsofthatMeetingassoonaspossibletotheExecutiveSecretariesoftheotherregionaleconomiccommissions.TopreparefortheseannualmeetingsofGovernmentOfficialsResponsibleforStandardisationPolicies,aGroupofExpertsonStandardisationPolicieswasconvenedasearlyasfortheSecondMeetingof1971.Inits44thsession(1989),theCommissiondecidedtoholdafirstMeetingofExperts,21whichconfirmedthedecisionoftheTenthMeetingtoholdaMeetingofExpertsonStandardisationPoliciesfrom10-12May1989pursuanttotheauthorityinthatrespectgivenbytheCommissionatits43rdsession.In1991,adecisionwastakentoestablishaWorkingPartyreportingdirectlytotheCommission.22InApril1997,adecisionwastakenthattheWorkingPartyreporttotheCommitteeforTrade,IndustryandEnterpriseDevelopment(predecessorbodytoSteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards).23Insummary,CommissiondecisionsareendorsedbyECOSOC,butitcallsforcoordinationwithotherregionaleconomiccommissions,anddoesnotgiveUNECEauniquemandatetodealwithStandards.Today,WorkingParty6ispartoftheEconomicCooperationandTradeDivisionanditsMarketAccessSection,andisgovernedbytheparentbody,theSteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards.24WorkingParty6hasadvisorygroups,includingtheAdvisoryGrouponMarket

called“GovernmentOfficialsResponsibleforStandardizationPolicies”,whichhelditsveryfirstmeetingfrom19to23January1970,alittlemorethan40yearsago.Theworkonstandardization,however,wasbythattimewellunderway.Indeed,alreadyin1962,theCommissionhadadoptedResolution4,whichrequested:(i)theCommission’ssubsidiarybodiestoparticipateinstandardizationworkatnationalandinternationallevel;and(ii)theMemberStatestocontinuetopromotefurtherdevelopmentofstandardizationintheirowncountries.Theyalsoexpressedhope,unfortunatelytothisdaynotrealized,thatsimilareffortswouldgetunderwayinotherregionalcommissions.Afewyearspassedandin1967,theCommissionreturnedtothistopicalsubject.Itexpresseditssatisfactionoftheworkundertakenbysubsidiarybodies,andadoptedanewResolution.Thisseconddocumentreflectsaverymodernviewofhowworkinthisfieldcanbeorganizedinpractice:ontheonehand,itpraisedtheactivitiesofinternationalnon-governmentalorganizationsinthisdomain,withparticularreferencetotheIECandISO.Atthesametime,and“withoutwantingtotakeovertheirwork”,itcalledtheattentionofGovernmentstotheproblemsofstandardizationattheinternationallevel,andencouragedthemtotakeactiontofacilitatefurtherharmonizationofstandards.Thefirstmeetingofthe“GovernmentOfficialsResponsibleforStandardizationPolicies”wasscheduledfor1968/9buthadtobepostponedto1970.19Astheoutcomeofthediscussion,theCommissiondecided;(a)totakenoteoftheprogressreportoftheExecutiveSecretarycontainedindocumentE/ECE/734;(b)toasktheExecutiveSecretarytoconvenetheMeetingofGovernmentOfficialsResponsibleforStandardisationPoliciespriortotheCommission’s25thsession;and(c)tosubmitthereportofthisMeetingtothe25thsessionoftheCommissiontogetherwithhissuggestionsonappropriatewaysinwhichtheworkoftheCommissioninthefieldofstandardisationcouldmostusefullybepursued.20SeePartII,C.of2.d.ofE/ECE/776.21DecisionO(44)inChapterIVofE/ECE/1196.22DocumentationE/ECE/1240,ECE/STAND/32.Standardisationandrelatedactivities(agendaitem4(i)),paras226-227.SatisfactionwasexpressedwiththeresultsachievedbytheEleventhMeetingofGovernmentOfficialsandtheCommissiondecisiontorestructurethisbodyintoaWorkingPartyreportingdirectlytotheCommissionwaswelcomed.ThedelegationoftheByelorussianSSRsuggestedthatitmightbeappropriatefortheWorkingPartytoreviewitstermsofreferenceinordertotakeintoaccountdevelopmentstakingplaceatinternationallevelandtocoordinatepolicyamongthevariousregionalcommissions.TheCommissionendorsedthereportoftheEleventhMeetingofGovernmentOfficials,includingtheprogrammeofwork.23DecisionA(52)inApril1997(firstreform):WP6reportstoTradeCommittee:EndorsementoftheDeclarationontheStrengtheningofEconomicCooperationinEuropeandthePlanofAction.TheCommissionhavingadoptedon22April1997theDeclarationontheStrengtheningofEconomicCooperationinEuropeandthePlanofAction,ascontainedindocumentsE/ECE/1346andE/ECE/1347andCorr.1,respectively,RecommendsthattheEconomicandSocialCouncilendorsethesedocuments.SeeDocumentE/ECE/1347:Itwasdecidedthat,inlinewiththedirectionsofwork,theWorkingPartyonStandardisationofPerishableProduceandQualityDevelopmentandtheWorkingPartyonTechnicalHarmonisationandStandardisationPolicieswill,fromnowon,reporttotheCommitteeforTrade,IndustryandEnterpriseDevelopment.24https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/Intergovernmental_Structure_FINAL_for_Website__28_June__2019_.pdf

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Surveillance(MARS),theGrouponEducationandStandardisation(START-Ed),theGroupofExpertsonRiskManagementandRegulatorySystems(GRM),StandardisationandRegulatoryTechniques(START),andtheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative(GRSI).WorkingParty6hasasmallsecretariatstaffofonefulltimeP4andP3staffmembersinGeneva,andparttimeassistancefromaP2professionalstaffmemberandaGstaffmember.25PleaseseeEfficiencySectionbelowforadditionalinformation.

Withtheadoptionofthe2030AgendaforSustainableDevelopmentbyallUNMemberStatesin2015,theSteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandardshasmandatedWorkingParty6toincreaseitsfocusonthecontributionofstandardsandthesupportingqualityinfrastructuretosustainabilityandresilience,includingAgenda2030andtheSendaiFrameworkforDisasterRiskReduction.Initsconveningcapacity,WorkingParty6strengthenspartnershipsbetweenregulatoryauthoritiesandstandardizationbodiesandsupportspolicymakersinaccessingexpertise(i.e.trainingmaterials,casestudyexamples),whichhelpstoenhancethequalityandeffectivenessofregulatorycooperationandstandardizationpolicies.PleaseseeTermsofReferencefor

25TheWorkingPartyoperateswithfinancialandhumanresourcescomparabletoWorkingParty7,alsoreportingtotheSteeringCommitteeonTrade.

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WorkingParty6(AnnextodocumentTRADE/2004/11)formoredetailregardingitsscopeofwork.26Additionally,theworkofWP.6hassupportedcountriesoftheUNECEandbeyondintheireffortstoachieveseveraloftheSDGgoals,including;“achievehigherlevelsofeconomicproductivitythroughdiversification,technologicalupgradingandinnovation”(SDG8.2).Furthermore,itencourages“companies,especiallylargeandtransnationalcompanies,toadoptsustainablepractices”(SDG12.6),supportscollaborationbetweenGovernmentsaswellasincountrypublic-privateconsultations(SDG17.10)andfurtherstheachievementofgenderequality,empoweringallwomenandgirls’(SDG5).TheRecommendationsdevelopedandadoptedbytheWorkingPartyhelptoaddressstandardizationandregulatoryissuesforsustainabledevelopment(SDG12)andidentifycapacitygapsincountriesoftheUNECEregion,whichsupportsthecreationofqualityinfrastructure(SDG9,SDG11).Theongoingtechnicalcooperationprojecton“StandardsfortheSDGs”(firstphase:July2018-July2019;secondphaseDecember2019-December2021)supportspolicy-makersintheiruptakeofstandardsasatoolforsustainabledevelopment,resultinginimportantnewdeliverablessuchasastandardsmappingtool,acollectionofcasestudiesandhighlevelevents,includingthe“StandardsfortheSDGs”eventheldon26thSeptember2018inGeneva.27

4. Methodology

A. KeyevaluationquestionsTheevaluationhasaddressedUNEvaluationGroupevaluationcriteria,including:

• Relevance:AppropriatenessofoutcomesoftheprojectintermsoftheCommissions’priorities,governments’developmentstrategiesandpriorities,andrequirementsofthetargetgroups.

• Effectiveness:

extenttowhichtheexpectedoutcomesofaprojecthavebeenachieved,andhaveresultedinchangesandeffects,positiveandnegative,plannedandunforeseen,withrespecttothetargetgroupsandotheraffectedstakeholders;

• Efficiency:theextenttowhichhumanandfinancialresourceswereusedinthebestpossiblewaytodeliveractivitiesandoutputs,incoordinationwithotherstakeholders;

• Sustainability:thelikelihoodthatthebenefitsoftheprojectwillcontinueinthefuture.• Impact:Thepositiveandnegativechangesproducedbyadevelopmentintervention,

directlyorindirectly,intendedorunintended.Thisinvolvesthemainimpactsandeffectsresultingfromtheactivityonthelocalsocial,economic,environmentalandotherdevelopmentindicators.

Thefollowingarekeyevaluationquestions,groupedaccordingtotheaboveevaluationcriteria.

26https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/ref-docs/ToR_eng.pdf27SeedetailedprojectreportECE_CTCS_WP.6_2019_3Eavailableonlineathttp://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2019/ECE_CTCS_WP.6_2019_3E.pdf.

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1.Relevance• Hastheworkmetneedsthatitstargets/beneficiarieshaveexpressedandagreedto?• IstheworkconsistentwiththemandateoftheTradesub-programmeanditsglobal

priorities?• HowrelevantisthecollaborationwithotherentitiesintheUNsystemandother

internationalorganizations?• HowrelevantareWorkingParty6activitieswithregardstogenderequalityand

empowermentofwomen?• Doestheprogrammeincorporatetheperspectiveofvulnerablegroupsinthedesignof

therecommendations?2.Effectiveness

• Whatoutcomeshavebeenachieved,bothexpectedandunexpected,positiveandnegative?

• WhatvaluehasUNECE’seffortsadded?• Whatwerethechallenges/obstaclestoachievingtheactivitiesobjectiveandexpected

accomplishments?3.Efficiency• Istherelationshipbetweencost(funds,time)andresultsreasonable?• Aretheresufficientresourcestoachievetheintendedoutcomes?

4.Sustainability• Whatisthelikelihoodthatbenefitsofthenormativeworkwillcontinueaftercompletion

andwithoutoverburdeningpartnerinstitutions?• Towhatextentdopartnersandbeneficiariesparticipateinand"own"theoutcomesof

thework?5.Impact

• TowhatextenthastheworkcontributedtoimpactattheUNECElevel?• Whatnegativeimpacthasthenormativeworkproduced,directlyorindirectly,intended

orunintended?• Have the outcomes of Working Party 6 led to new policies or policy changes in the

memberStates?• Havethestandardsproducedbeenusedbyothercountriesoutsideoftheregion?• Have the standards developed helped to strengthen the application of gender

mainstreamingprinciplesandcontribute to substantialandmeaningful changes in thesituationofthemostvulnerablegroups?

B. EvaluationmethodsanddatacollectioninstrumentsTheevaluationhasemployedamixedmethodapproach,includingacombinationofdeskreview,useofelectronicquestionnaires,selectedinterviews,anddirectobservation.Datacollectionhascollectedgender-disaggregateddata,quantitativeandqualitativedata,primaryandsecondarydata.Theevaluatorcarriedout18keyinformantinterviewswith9womenand9men.StakeholderswerefromUNECE;membersofvariousWorkingParty6’sadvisorygroups:internationalandregionalorganisations;nationalgovernmentbodies;international,regionalandnationalstandardsbodies;academia;andcivilsociety.The

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surveysamplesizewas28stakeholders–26Englishspeakingrespondentsand2Russianspeakingrespondents.Thesurveywassentto2468recipientswith1558successfuldeliveries.Thislowresponserateisinpartexplainedbythefactthatthesurveylinkinitiallymalfunctioned,whichmayhavediscouragedsomeoftheaudience.Otherlimitationsarediscussedinsub-sectionCbelow.Dataanalysishasusedtriangulationwherepossible.Triangulationfacilitatesvalidationofdatathroughcrossverificationfrommorethantwosources.Itteststheconsistencyoffindingsobtainedthroughdifferentinstrumentsandincreasesthechancetocontrolorassesssomeofthethreatsormultiplecausesinfluencingtheresults.TheevaluationisgenderresponsiveandanalysesthegenderdimensioninlinewithUNECE’sSupportGuideforConductingEvaluation2014,andtheReportoftheUNEconomicandSocialCouncil,“MainstreamingaGenderPerspectiveintoallPoliciesandProgrammesintheUNSystem”.Genderanalysishasbeenusedtoanalysedatathroughagenderperspective,collectionofgenderdisaggregateddata,useofgendersensitiveindicators,andconsultationofawiderangeofdifferentstakeholdersinvolvingagenderexpert/evaluator.Datacollectionactivitiesandprotocolsaregendersensitiveandhaveensuredequitableparticipationregardlessofgender,status,andothersocialidentities.Theevaluatorhasusedahumanrightsbasedapproach,asrequiredbyUNevaluationguidingpolicies.Theevaluationhasbeencarriedoutinlinewiththenorms,standardsandethicalsafeguardsaselaborateduponinthedocument“StandardsforEvaluationintheUNSystem”,UnitedNationsEvaluationGroup,2016.TheevaluationhasbeenconductedinaccordancewiththeUNECEEvaluationPolicy.

C. LimitationsTheevaluationispotentiallylimitedbythefollowingfactors:• Difficultiesintranslationoftechnicaltermsintoseveralworkinglanguagesforstakeholders• Lowresponseratetosurveys(28/2468)28–pleaseseenoteaboveinsub-sectionB.• Limitedinterestfromstakeholderstoprovideresponsestosurveyorin-depthinterviews

o AlreadylimitedengagementofsomestakeholderswithWorkingParty6work.Possibleconsequencesofshortcomingsresultingfromtheserisksinclude:• Non-Englishspeakersdonotadequatelyunderstandcertaintechnicaltermsdueto

translationchallenges• Smallsamplesizeforsurvey• LimitedengagementbystakeholderswiththeWorkingParty6evaluationprocess.

5. EvaluationfindingsThesearethefindingsbasedonresultsofthedeskstudy,surveydata,andqualitativedatafromin-depthinterviews,whichhavebeentriangulatedwherepossible.

28Thelowresponseratewasduetothefactthatthesurveyandinterviewswerecarriedoutduringthesummerperiod,andadditionally,asexplainedbelow,thesurveyinitiallymalfunctioned.Overall,theresponseratesarenotdissimilartothosetypicalofexercisesofthisnature.Forexample,seeUNECEprogrammelevelgenderevaluation2019.

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5.1 RelevanceRelevance:AppropriatenessoftheoutcomesofaprojectintermsofGovernments’developmentstrategiesandpriorities,andrequirementsofthetargetgroups.

5.1.1 Hastheworkmetneedsthatitstargets/beneficiarieshaveexpressedandagreedto?TheprogrammeofworkofWorkingParty6,whichisasubsidiarybodyoftheUNECESteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,iscontainedintheProgrammePlanofProgramme17“EconomicDevelopmentinEurope”.29TheBiennialStrategicFramework30istheprincipalpolicydirectiveofUNECE.Itsobjectivesandstrategiesarederivedfromthepolicyorientationsandgoalssetbytheintergovernmentalorgans.TheProgrammeBudgettranslatesmemberStates’prioritiesassetoutinlegislationadoptedbytheGeneralAssembly,ECOSOCandUNECEintergovernmentalbodiesintosub-programmesfinancedfromtheregularbudgetandextra-budgetaryresources.31TheProgrammeofWorkofWorkingParty6isadoptedbytheSteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,whichistheparentcommitteeofWorkingParty6.32Theobjectiveofsub-programme6–TradeistostrengthentradefacilitationandtraderelatedeconomiccooperationintheUNECEregionandbeyond.ExpectedaccomplishmentsoftheprogrammeofworkincludeincreasedconsensusonthedevelopmentofUNECErecommendationsandguidelinesforregulatorycooperation,asevidencedbythenumberofnewand/orrevisedrecommendationsorguidelinesforregulatorycooperationadoptedbyUNECEintergovernmentalbodies.33WorkingParty6developedorrevisedfiverecommendationsduringtheperiodunderreview,aswellastenguidelines/publications.34Therefore,itsworkhasexceededtheneedsthatitstargets,i.e.memberStates,expressedandagreedtoascontainedinProposedProgrammeBudgetsforbienniums2014-2015,2016-2017,2018-2019.35SurveyrespondentsthoughtthatthecollaborationofWorkingParty6ishighlyrelevant(54%)ormoderatelyrelevant(32%)fortheirorganization,supportingthefindingthatitsworkhasmettheneedsthatitstargetsexpressedandagreedto.Keyinformantsnotedthatparticipantskeep

29Pleaseseehttps://undocs.org/a/71/6/Rev.1.PreviouslyItwassetaccordingtothebiennialUNECEStrategicFrameworkandtheannualProgrammeBudget.However,2018-2019isthelastbiennialprogrammebudget,withtheprogrammeplan(orstrategicframework)adoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyoneyearbeforethebudget(Dec2016andDec2017inthiscase).30UntilJanuary2020wherereplacedbyProgrammeBudget(annual).31http://www.unece.org/info/open-unece/programme-planning-and-reporting.html32Pleaseseeforexamplehttp://www.unece.org/index.php?id=50609.Additionally,pleaseseehttp://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/OPEN_UNECE/02_Programme_Planning_and_reporting/SF_Prog17_2016-17_ECE_FINAL_Issued_HQ.pdfandhttp://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/OPEN_UNECE/02_Programme_Planning_and_reporting/SF_2018-2019_-_reissued.pdf33https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/OPEN_UNECE/02_Programme_Planning_and_reporting/SF_2018-2019_-_reissued.pdf34Pleaseseefindingsunder“sustainability”forspecificrecommendationsandpublications.35UnitedNationsGeneralAssembly,ProposedProgrammeBudgetfortheBiennium2014-2015,A/68/6(Sect.20);UnitedNationsGeneralAssembly,ProposedProgrammeBudgetfortheBiennium2016-2017,A/70/6(Sect.20);UnitedNationsGeneralAssembly,ProposedProgrammeBudgetfortheBiennium2018-2019,A/72/6(Sect.20).Pleaseseehttps://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/OPEN_UNECE/02_Programme_Planning_and_reporting/SF_Prog17_2016-17_ECE_FINAL_Issued_HQ.pdf;https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/OPEN_UNECE/02_Programme_Planning_and_reporting/SF_Prog17_2016-17_ECE_FINAL_Issued_HQ.pdfandhttp://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/OPEN_UNECE/02_Programme_Planning_and_reporting/SF_2018-2019_-_reissued.pdf

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returningtomeetings(pleaseseeSection5.4.2formoredetailregardingparticipation36),eveninthefaceofnationalgovernmentbudgetcuts,whichwasnotalwaysthecasepreviously.Inparticular,thereisgoodparticipationfromCentralAsiancountries,transitioncountries,anddevelopingcountriesbeyondtheUNECEregion,reflectingthevalueplaceduponstandardsforguidingknowledgeuponentryintodevelopedmarkets,37aswellastheirintrinsicvalueforsustainabledevelopment,genderequality,andenvironmentalconservation.InadditiontoitsRegularBudgetwork,WorkingParty6implementedanumberofextra-budgetaryprojects38duringtheperiodunderreview:

1. TheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative,whichbeganin2016392. StrengtheningthenationalcapacityoftradesupportinstitutionsofKyrgyzstan,

whichbeganin2016403. EnhancingusageanduptakeoftheStandardsforachievingtheSustainable

DevelopmentGoals,whichbeganin2018.41Theseextra-budgetaryactivitieswereimplementedinordertoenhancetheeffortsofWorkingParty6ascontainedintheProgrammeBudget.Thegoalsofallthreeprojectshavebeenmet:

1. TheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative42draftedtheinnovativeDeclarationforGenderResponsiveStandardsandStandardsDevelopment,whichwasembeddedintoRecommendationUin2018,andopenedforsignaturein2019.Thiswasahugesuccess,with56nationalandregionalstandardsorganisationssigningtheDeclarationonthedayoftheopeningitself.43

2. TheStrengtheningthenationalcapacityoftradesupportinstitutionsofKyrgyzstanproject(implemented2016-2018withabudgetofUS$190,000)achieveditsgoals,namelydevelopmentoftrainingmaterials,andorganisationoftrainingworkshopsforbeneficiariesinKyrgyzstan,includingwomenentrepreneurs.44

3. TheStandardsfortheSDGsproject(implemented2018-2019withabudgetofUS$177,500)successfullyimplementedthemappingtooltoidentifythestandardsthatsupportimplementationoffourfocusSDGs,developedapublicationofcasestudiestoshowcasehowimplementingstandardsadvancestheimplementationoftheseSDGsbynationalpolicymakers,developedawarenessraisingmaterials,andheldahigh-leveleventon“StandardsfortheSDGs”,whichwasatremendous

36Notingthatparticipationinmeetingsislow,participationinthemeeting–eginNov2018only14outof56UNECEcountrieswaspresent,with3countriesbeyondUNECE.In2019,only11UNECEcountriesattended,with0frombeyondUNECE.37ItshouldbenotedthatthecountriesbenefitfromUNECEactivitiesinvariousways,includingbyparticipatinginweb-meeting,attendingeventsco-organizedbyUNECEandpartners(i.e.theISO-UNECEEventonStandardsfortheSDGsinSeptember2018)andbeingsignatoriestotheUNECEGenderResponsiveStandardsDeclaration.38ThefollowingthreeinitiativesarepartofWP6mandatebutweresupportedbyXBresources.39http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2016/Report_of_the_WP._6_on_its_26th_Session.pdf40UNECE,TechnicalCooperationProjectDocument,StrengtheningtheNationalCapacityofTradeSupportInstitutionsofKyrgyzstan,July2016-June2018.41UNECE,TechnicalCooperationProjectDocument,EnhancingUsageandUptakeoftheStandardsfortheSustainableDevelopmentGoals,July2018-July2019.42ThisInitiativewasfullyfundedfromtheXBProjectEnhancingusageanduptakeofthestandardsforachievingtheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/commission/EXCOM/Agenda/2018/99_EXCOM-4-July_2018/item_8_2018_22_XB_8_SDG_Rev_1.pdf)approvedbyEXCOMon4July2018.Afollow-upprojectwasapprovedbyEXCOMon29May2019withamoreexplicittitle:Enhancingusageanduptakeofstandardsforsustainabledevelopment,genderequalityandtheempowermentofwomenandgirls(http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/commission/EXCOM/Agenda/2019/EXCOM_105_29_May_2019/Item_9_ECE_EX_24_XB_project_10_SDG_standards.pdf).Thesecondprojectwaspresentedasafollow-upofthefirstone.43http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2019/ECE_CTCS_WP.6_2019_6E.pdf,para13.44http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2018/ECE_CTCS_WP.6_2018_02E_Report.pdf

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success.45Moreover,theprojectdevelopedadatabasemappingover1000voluntarystandardsagainstthesefourSDGs.46

Withrespecttowomen,thereisevidencethatWorkingParty6hassoughttheperspectivesofsomebeneficiariesthroughouttheprogrammecycle,i.e.women(seebelowinSection5.1.5).WiderangingconsultationsfortheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativedidseektheperspectivesofrepresentativesofwomen’sassociations,includingvulnerablewomen,whoexpressedtheneedforstandardsthathaveapositiveimpactonwomen’slives.47SincethisInitiativedevelopedarecommendationonmainstreaminggenderintostandardsandregulatorypoliciesnationallyandinternationally,thisisagoodfirststeptowardsmeetingtheneedsthatitsbeneficiariesexpressedandagreedto.AlthoughtheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativeisrelativelynascentintermsofimpact,ithasalreadymetsomeneedsthatwomenidentified,i.e.raisingawarenessofthegenderblindnatureofstandards,puttinggenderontheagendaofstandardsbodiesworldwide.PleaseseeSections5.5.3,5.5.4,and5.5.5formoredetaileddiscussion.TheSecretariatsupportedeffortstopromotestandardsasatoolforsustainabledevelopmentthroughraisingawarenessoftherelevanceofstandardsforachievementofWorkingParty6’sfourfocusSDGs,namelySDG6oncleanwater,SDG7oncleanenergy,SDG11onsustainablecities,andSDG13onclimateaction,andillustratinghowstandardshelpachievetheglobalgoalsintheseareas.ThiswasthroughtheStandardsfortheSDGshigh-levelevent,andthepublicationwhichmappedstandardsatnationalandlocallevelsincountriesworldwideandillustratedtheirapplicationinthefourSDGareas.Theseactivitiescontributedtoincreasingtheknowledgeandcapacityofstakeholdersinthedifferentthematicareasbyraisingawarenessabouttheissues,andbyseekingcontributionsfrommemberStatesandnational,regionalandglobalstandardsbodiesintheseareasforthecasestudies.48Therefore,theworkofWorking45http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2018/ECE_CTCS_WP.6_2018_02E_Report.pdf.Thisismeasuredintermsofthenumberofparticipants,theanswerstotheevaluationquestionnaires,theoutcomes(i.e.casestudiessharedbyparticipantsnowmadeavailableontheStandardsfortheSDGsportal,providingusefulreferenceforotherpolicymakerswantingtoimplementsimilarapproach).46EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,“AnnotatedProvisionalAgendaforthe29thSession”,27August2019,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2019/1.47UNECE,GenderInformedStandardsandTechnicalRegulations,19September2017,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2017/4.48Thisismeasuredintermsofthenumberofparticipants,theanswerstotheevaluationquestionnaires,theoutcomes(i.e.casestudiessharedbyparticipantsnowmadeavailableontheStandardsfortheSDGsportal,providingusefulreferenceforotherpolicymakerswantingtoimplementsimilarapproach).Pleasealsoconsiderthefollowing:Thisissupportedbyseveralindicatorsofimpactincludingthefollowing:(i)DIN(thestandardsbodyofGermany)replicatedinbothformandsubstancetheworkofUNECEonstandardsfortheSDGsinitsownworkasleaderoftheJointInitiativeonStandardisation(JIS).Morespecifically,DINhastakenleadershipJISAction4“Raisingawarenessonstandardizationbypublicauthorities”.AsexplainedinthelettertheyaddressedtotheExecutiveSecretaryofUNECE,theyraisedawarenessofallEUmemberstatesaboutthecasestudiescollectedbyUNECE(andmadeavailableontheStandardsfortheSDGsportalhttps://standards4sdgs.unece.org/case-studies)andtheyalsousedthetemplatedevelopedbyUNECEtocollectmorecasestudiesintheEuropeanMemberStates.ThishasledtoawarenessraisinginthewholeoftheEUastothevalueofstandardsforpublicpolicyandtheSDGs(ii)CEN/CENELEC,thestandardsbodyofEuropehasmadetheUNECEportalapillarofits“StandardsbuildTrust”WorkProgramme.MorespecificallytheCEN/CENELECworkprogramme2019-2024hasfivepillars,oneofthembeingincreasingtheuptakeofstandardsastoolsforimplementingtheSDGs.CEN/CENELEChastakeninspirationfromtheworkofUNECEinthisareaasexplainedinitsownwebsite–www.standardsbuildtrust.eu/sdg-goals-of-un2030agenda;(iii)TheParliamentofGermanyhasinvitedUNECEtomakeanofficialpresentationtoitsParliamentaryCommissiononSustainableDevelopment(ParlamentarischerBeiratfürnachhaltigeEntwicklung)abouttheStandardsfortheSDGsprojectwhichhasledtoabetterunderstandingbyParliamentariansonhowtousestandardsinlegislation.SinceWorkingParty6’sintervention,DINwasabletoworkcloselywiththeGermanParliamenttoensurefollowup.(iv)AsregardsNGOs,UNECEwasinvitedtoaneventorganizedbyAsVIS(AlleanzaItalianaperloSviluppoSostenibile)todeliveralectureforjournaliststosensitizethemandtraintheminbetterunderstandingstandardsastoolsforsustainabledevelopment;(v)UNECEwasinvitedbytheWTOtoreportontheprojectinthecontextoftheWTOTBTeventon‘ReferencetoStandards’inNovember2019;(vi)Finally,UNECEwasinvitedbyalargenumberofglobal,regional,nationalstandardsbodiesandotherinstitutionsthatsupportqualityinfrastructuretopresentthe

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Party6hassupportedmemberStatesinaddressingtheirneedsbecauseeachmemberStateisworkingtowardsachievementofthe2030Agendaandnowhasaccesstoinformationthatenablesanappreciationforthedifferencethatintegratingattentiontovoluntarystandardscanmakeinachievingthatgoal.Moreover,WorkingParty6alsosoughttheperspectivesofbeneficiaries,namelypublicandprivatesectorstakeholders,fortheKyrgyzstanproject(seeSection5.1.5),duringtheparticipatorynationalreviewmechanismoftheStudyonRegulatoryandProceduralBarrierstoTrade,whichprecededtheprojectandrecommendedtrainingandcapacitybuildingasthebasisforrisk-basedpolicymakingandregulatorypolicies.Therefore,thesameconclusioncanbedrawnwithrespecttotheneedsofitsbeneficiaries.AsignificantfindingofthisevaluationisthatboththeSTART-edandtheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativehaveneverbeenformallyestablished.ArequestinthisdirectionwasincludedintheProgressReportontheGender-ResponsiveStandardsInitiative,49 submitted to WorkingParty6duringthe29thsession.ThereisnoevidenceofanythingsimilarforSTART-ed.Toclarify,WorkingParty6canmakeaproposalbutthismustbeapprovedbytheUNECESteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards.TheExecutiveCommittee(EXCOM)isentrustedwiththeimplementationoftheoverallguidancesetbytheUNECE.50AttachedinAnnexFistheguidanceforestablishmentofTeamofSpecialists(ToS)(ECE/EX/2/Rev.1),asapprovedbyEXCOMon31March2010.AToS(alsonamed“advisorygroups”,“adhocgroups”,“taskforces”)isestablished,normallyforatwo-yearduration,throughaproceduresetbyaSectoralCommitteeandsupervisedeitherdirectlybytheCommitteeorbyoneofitsWorkingParties.TheEXCOMmustapprovetheestablishment/discontinuation/extensionofaToSbasedonarecommendationoftheparentbody.Teamsofspecialistsarecomprisedofgovernmentalexpertsbutcanalsoincludeeminentspecialistsorrepresentativesofinternationalorganisations,NGOsandtheprivatesector,incompliancewiththeUNrulesandpracticesinthisrespect.Currently,UNECEhasaround60suchexpertbodies.ProvidedthataToSwasestablished/extendedinlinewiththeannexedguidelines(particularly,paras1(a),2,3(a),(f),and(g)),itcanbeservicedbyUNECEandUNOGprovidesinterpretationduringitsmeetingsandtranslatesparliamentarydocuments.Since2018,workundertakenonSTART-EdandGenderresponsivestandardshavebeenfundedfromtheregularbudget,withoutpropermandate,asreflectedinWP.6Programmeofworkfor2019(ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2019/5)51,andWP.6sessionreportsfor2018(ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2018/2)52and2019(ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2019/2)53.UntilSTART-EdandGenderresponsivestandardsare

highlightsoftheproject.Theseinclude:theMeetingsoftheSADCTBTCooperationStructures(March2019,Windhoek)theSmallBusinessStandards’AnnualConference(May,2019Brussels),theISO/CASCOWorkshoponMarketSurveillance(May,2019Kenya)theISO/TC207PlenaryMeeting(GermanMinistryfortheEnvironment,Berlin,June),theISEALsymposium(June2019,theHague),theInternationalCooperationonEducationaboutStandardization(ICES)Workshop(10October2019)andtheWorldStandardsCooperation(WSC)AcademicDay(11October),bothheldinBelgradeamongothers.Theseinvitationsareproofofthepervasiveimpactandrecognitionthattheprojecthashadinthestandardizationcommunity49ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2019/6,partVI.50https://www.unece.org/commission/excom/welcome.html51http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2019/ECE_CTCS_WP.6_2019_5E.pdfReferencetoSectionsVIListofplannedactivitiesandoutputsofWP.6in2020. 52 http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2018/ECE_CTCS_WP.6_2018_02E_Report.pdfReferencetoSectionsVIIIandIX. 53 Tobereleased,referenceismadetoitems8and10,aswellasDecisions10and16.

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formallyestablished,inlinewiththeEXCOMapprovedproceduredescribedabove,regularbudgetresourcescannotbeusedtoservicetheworkofthesegroups.InlightofthedisconnectbetweenthecurrentsituationofSTART-edandtheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativeandtheEXCOMguidance,pleaseseerecommendationtoformallyestablishSTART-edandGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative,inlinewiththeagreedprocedure.

5.1.2 IstheworkconsistentwiththemandateoftheTradesub-programmeanditsglobalpriorities?TheSteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandardsistheparentbodytoWorkingParty6onRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies.54TheSteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandardsisanintergovernmentalbodythatoverseesandguidesthedevelopmentofinternationalnormsandstandards,proceduresandbestpracticesthatreducethecostsassociatedwithexportandimportprocessesandincreasetheefficiency,predictabilityandtransparencyoftraderegulationsandproceduresandthemovementofgoodsandservices.TheSteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandardsreviewsandendorsesrecommendationsdevelopedbyWorkingParty6,draftstheprogrammeofworkontradecapacityandstandards,andreviewsandendorsestheworkplansofWorkingParty6.55ThemandateofWorkingParty6onRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies(WorkingParty6)issetoutintheTermsofReference:• Forumforexchangeofinformationondevelopmentsandexperiencesinareasoftechnical

regulationsandstandards• Determinesprioritiesforinternationalstandardizationactivities• Preparesrecommendationsaimedatfacilitatinginternationaltradethroughharmonization

ofnationalpoliciesandpromotionofbestpractices.56UNECEisdrivenbysupporttomemberStatesfortheimplementationofthe2030Agendaandhasidentified11focusSustainableDevelopmentGoals.UNECEsupportscountriesintheimplementationofthe2030Agendathankstoitsroleasaplatformforgovernmentstocooperateandengagewithstakeholdersonnorms,standardsandconventions;itsuniqueconveningpowerofmemberStatesacrosstheregion;itsmulti-sectoralapproachtotackletheinterconnectedchallengesofsustainabledevelopmentinanintegratedmanner;anditstransboundaryfocus,whichhelpsdevisesolutionstosharedchallenges.WorkingParty6’sprioritySDGsincludeSDG5(genderequality),SDG6(cleanwater),SDG7(cleanenergy),SDG11(sustainablecitiesandcommunities),andSDG13(climateaction),amongothers.57TheprogrammeofworkofWorkingParty6hasthreemainpriorities:(i)enhancingregulatorycoherenceinspecificsectorsthathaveacriticalimpactonsustainabledevelopment;(ii)promoting

54http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/Intergovernmental_Structure_FINAL_for_Website__28_June__2019_.pdf55UNECE,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,TermsofReferenceoftheSteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,ECE/CTCS/2018/4,19February2018.56AnnextodocumentTRADE/2004/11RevisedTORforWPonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,adoptedatthe13th

sessionoftheWorkingPartyinNovember2003.

57https://www.unece.org/sustainable-development/sdg-priorities.html.WorkingParty6selectedthesefocusSDGstoillustratehowstandardsbothhelpsecureimmediateandbasicneedsandaspectsofmateriality(water,energy)andhelpbuildinspirationalaction(livableandsmartcitiesandclimateaction).Asthiswassupportedbydonorsandwasexecutedinbroadsupportwithalargenumberofpartners,itwasanorganicdecision.Thenumberofgoalscoveredbytheportalwillbeexpandedinfuture,asthisservedasapilot.

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theuseofstandardsbypolicy-makersandbusinessasatoolforsustainabledevelopment,increasedresiliencetodisasters,innovationandgoodgovernance;and(iii)theeliminationofbarrierstointernationaltrade.ItactsasanadvocatefortheuseofstandardsintheimplementationofUN-widegoals,includingAgenda2030,gendermainstreaming,andtheSendaiFrameworkforDisasterRiskReduction.58Overall,93%ofsurveyrespondentsthoughtthattheworkofWorkingParty6isrelevantwithregardtotheSustainableDevelopmentGoals,with70%ofrespondentsratingithighlyrelevantand21%moderatelyrelevant.Moreover,89%ofsurveyrespondentsthoughtthattheworkofWorkingParty6hasbeenusefulforachievingtheSustainableDevelopmentGoals,notingtheusefulnessoftheawarenessraisingaboutthelinkbetweenstandardsandachievementoftheSDGs,andwithUNECE’sfocusSDGs,includingSDG5ongenderequality.71%ofsurveyrespondentsthoughtthattheactivitiesofWorkingParty6withregardtogenderequalityandwomen’sempowermentwererelevant,with36%statinghighlyrelevantand36%statingmoderatelyrelevant.TheseresultssupportthefindingthattheworkoftheWorkingPartyisconsistentwithUNECE’smandatetosupportcountriestoachievetheSustainableDevelopmentGoalsandGenderMainstreamingandEmpowermentofWomen.KeyinformantscommendedtheproactiveapproachoftheSecretariat,particularlywithregardtotheGenderinStandardsInitiative,andtheStandardsfortheSDGsproject,withprojectparticipantsanddonorsnotingthesuccessofbothprojectsandtheirinnovativeperspectiveswithintheworldofstandards.5925%ofkeyinformantsthoughtthesetwoinitiativeshelpedtoaddress(i)thelackofunderstandingofthelinkagesbetweenstandardsandgenderequality;60(ii)thelackofawarenessamongstpolicymakersofthevalueofstandardsasatoolforsustainabledevelopment;and(iii)thelackofawarenessamongstallstandardsbodiesofAgenda2030andtheimportanceofvoluntarystandardstoitsrealization.

5.1.3 HowrelevantisthecollaborationwithotherentitiesintheUNsystemandotherinternationalorganizations?WorkingParty6onRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciescollaborateswithavarietyofhighlyrelevantpartners.Overall,86%ofsurveyrespondentsthoughtthatthecollaborationofWorkingParty6wasrelevantfortheirorganization,with54%ofrespondentsstatingitwashighlyrelevantand32%moderatelyrelevant.PartnershaveincludedUNsystementities,internationalandregionalorganisations,standardizationorganisations,qualityinfrastructureorganisations,andacademia.ThefollowingsectionsillustratetheirrelevanceforWorkingParty6outcomes.

(a) CooperationwithUNsystementitiesThroughWorkingParty6,UNECEisapermanentobserverattheWorldTradeOrganisation(WTO)CommitteeonTechnicalBarrierstoTrade(TBT).TheWP.6SecretariatsubmitswrittenstatementsateachofthethreeyearlymeetingsoftheWTOTBT.Itadditionallyhasbeeninvitedonoccasiontoparticipateinthematicsessionsortechnicalassistanceactivities61.The58https://www.unece.org/trade/wp6/welcome.html59Itshouldbenotedthattheseareverysmallboutiqueprojects,atUS$190,000and$177,500respectively.Cautiontobenotedinexpressinglargescaleofsuccessoftheseactivitiesintheglobalcontextoftheworldofstandards.60TheGenderresponsiveinitiativeledtotransformationalchangeworldwide,asevidencedbythenumberofsignatories(55).TheportalonstandardsfortheSDGsalsoreceivedpraiseandwaspromotedbykeyplayerssuchasthestandardsbodyofEurope(CEN/CENELEC)theStandardsbodyofCanadaandothers.61https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=q:/G/TBT/GEN271.pdf

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WTOSecretariatalsotakespartinseveraloftheannualsessionsandeventsofWorkingParty6,62resultinginthesharingofthebestpracticedevelopedbytheUNECEwithabroadercommunity,andalsoinintegratingtheinsightoftheWTOmembersinthedevelopmentofUNECErecommendations.UNECEalsocooperateswithUnitedNationsConferenceonTradeandDevelopment(UNCTAD),inadditiontomutualparticipationinmeetings,bycontributingtotheactivitiesoftheUnitedNationsForumonSustainabilityStandards(UNFSS),whichUNCTADcoordinates.ThisresultsinenhancedparticipationbyvoluntarysustainabilitystandardsbodiesintheactivitiesofUNECE,suchasforexampleseveralofthesebodiesbecomingsignatoriesoftheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative.TheUNECEpartneredwiththeFisheriesdepartmentoftheFoodandAgriculturalOrganisationandtheInternationalCouncilfortheExplorationoftheSea(ICES)fortheorganizationoftheICES/UNECEWorkingMeetingon“ToolsandstandardsinsupportofSustainableDevelopmentGoal14''Lifebelowwater'',heldinOctober2018,inReykjavik,Iceland,64andatthethematicmeetingoftheGRMGroup(February2017,Geesthacht,Germany)onRiskmanagementinregulatoryframeworksinsupportofSustainableDevelopmentGoals”.65ThiscollaborationresultednotonlyintheelaborationofRecommendationsonhowriskmanagementtoolscaninpracticefacilitatetheachievementoftheSDG14,ascontainedinthereportofthetwomeetings,butalsointheregistrationofavoluntarycommitmentundertheUNOceanConference.66WorkingParty6collaboratedwithInternationalTradeCentre(ITC)onseveralinitiatives.ITChasgivenimportantcontributionsinthedevelopmentandpromotionoftheUNECEGenderResponsiveStandardsRecommendation.UNECEhasalsocontributedtotheintegrationofagenderperspectiveintheITCportalonvoluntarysustainabilitystandards.67Collaborationstartedin2018intheareaofriskmanagementwillresultinaduallogoITC-UNECEpublicationonthetopicofriskmanagementintradefacilitation.Thepossibilityofjointcapacity-buildingactivitiesinfutureisalsobeingexplored.68

UNECEworkscloselywiththeUnitedNationsOfficeforDisasterRiskReduction(UNISDR)topromotetheimplementationofinternationalstandardsforsupportingthereductionofdisasterrisks.AvolumepresentingpracticalguidanceonhowauthoritiescanusevoluntarystandardsforincreasingpreparednessforandresiliencetodisasterswaspublishedasaconcretecontributiontotheimplementationoftheSendaiFrameworkforDisasterRiskReduction70Thesecretaryof

62EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,ECE/CTCS/2019/8,28-29May2019,Geneva.64EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,ECE/CTCS/2019/8,28-29May2019,Geneva.65EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,ECE/CTCS/2019/8,28-29May2019,Geneva.https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2017/GRMF2F/GRM_Germany_meeting_report_final.pdfhttps://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2018/ECE_CTCS_WP.6_2018_08_Reykjavik_report_final.pdf66 https://oceanconference.un.org/commitments/?id=23807 67https://www.sustainabilitymap.org/home68EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,ECE/CTCS/2019/8,28-29May2019,Geneva.70https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/Publications/ECE_TRADE_424_Standards_and_DRR.pdf

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WorkingParty6actedasthefocalpointforDisasterRiskReductionuntil2018,71andadvocatedtheuseofUNECEbestpracticeaswellasstandardsdevelopedbyUNECEandotherorganizationsastoolstosupporttheimplementationoftheSendaiFrameworkforDisasterRiskReduction.72ItshouldbenotedthatWorkingParty6continuestosupporttheuseofstandardsastoolsforresiliencetodisasters.UN/WOMENisanotherkeypartnerintheactivitiesoftheGenderResponsiveStandardsDeclarationcontributingimportantexpertisethatallowsidentifyingareasofparticularneeds,andputtingtheinitiativeinabroadercontext.Finally,theUnitedNationsIndustrialDevelopmentOrganisation(UNIDO)andUNECEhavealsocloselycooperatedintheareaofriskmanagement.Forexample,UNIDOorganizedtechnicalactivitiesonriskmanagementinregulatorysystemsinNigeriaandMalawisharingbestpracticedevelopedbytheWorkingParty6.73

(b) CooperationwithinternationalandregionalorganisationsWorkingParty6partnerswithinternationalorganisations,includingregionalorganisations,suchastheEuropeanCommission(EC),theEurasianEconomicCommission,andtheOrganisationforEconomicCooperationandDevelopment(OECD).TheEuropeanCommissionparticipatesquiteactivelyinWorkingParty6meetingsandactivities,particularlybyupdatingothermembersonrecentinitiativesandbestpracticerelatedtostandardizationandmarketsurveillanceaswellasotherareas.MembersareveryappreciativeoftheexpertisesharedbytheEuropeanCommissionrepresentativeswhichallowsthemtobetterunderstandtheEUcommonmarket.TheEurasianEconomicCommissionisalsoanimportantpartnerofUNECEWP.6whichregularlysharesprogressinthedevelopmentofacommonregulatorysystemamongthecountriesoftheEurasianEconomicUnion.TheEECisparticularlysupportiveoftheUNECEworkinMarketSurveillanceandRiskManagementinRegulatoryFramework.Asoneexample,inApril2018,theEurasianEconomicCommissionadoptedadecisionrequestingitsmemberstousearisk-basedapproachforenforcementactivitieswhichisbroadlybasedontheapproachoftheUNECERecommendationS75.ItshouldbeappreciatedthattheWP.6isnotonlyaforumforthedevelopmentofbestpractice,butalsoanimportantplatformformutuallearningbymembersaboutoneanother’sregulatoryandstandardizationpractice,inawaythatisnotavailableinotherorganizations.76UNECE,throughWorkingParty6,hasparticipatedintheactivitiesoftheOECD“Partnershipforeffectiveinternationalrule-making”.InparticulartheSecretaryofWorkingParty6hasauthored71UntilthefocalpointvoluntarilywithdrewfocalpointresponsibilitiesforUNECE.AsnootherstafftooktheresponsibilityuptheSecretaryofWorkingParty6stillcontinuestofunctionasfocalpoint,albeitwithlessresourcesduetocuts.Forexample,theSecretaryupdatedthebookletonactivitiesofUNECEinsupporttoDRRhttp://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/AreasOfWork/RiskManagement/DRR/ECE_INF_NONE_2015_2_Rev1.pdf72EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,ECE/CTCS/2019/8,28-29May2019,Geneva.73https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2015/WP6_2015_05E.pdfparagraph11and1375http://www.unece.org/info/media/news/trade/2018/unece-supports-the-adoption-of-effective-risk-based-regulations-in-kyrgyzstan/doc.html76Pleasealsoseefootnote41aboveregardingJointInitiativeonStandardisation(JIS)launchedbytheEuropeanCommission.

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thejointUNECE-OECDpublication“InternationalRegulatoryCooperation:theCaseoftheUnitedNationsEconomicCommissionforEurope”,whichpresentstherule-makingandstandards-settingactivitiesofUNECE.Ithasadditionallyco-hosted-togetherwithISOandIEC-the5thMeetingofInternationalOrganisationsundertheaegisoftheOECD“Partnershipforeffectiveinternationalrule-making”atthePalaisdesNationsinGeneva,Switzerland.Themeetingdiscussedthevarietyofinternationalinstrumentsofregulatorycooperationdevelopedbyinternationalrulemakinginstitutions;thepracticestopromoteevidence-based,inclusiveinternationalnormsandstandards;andtheopportunitiesandchallengesofgreatercoordinationacrossinternationalorganisations.78

(c) Cooperationwithstandardsettingandqualityinfrastructureorganizations(i)StandardizationpoliciesAnumberofstandardizationorganizationstakepartintheactivitiesofWorkingParty6andinitsAnnualSession,includingamongothers,theAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI),ASTMInternational,EuropeanCommitteeforStandardization(CEN),EuropeanCommitteeforElectrotechnicalStandardization(CENELEC),StandardsCouncilCanada,GlobalStandardsOne(GS1),InternationalElectrotechnicalCommission(IEC),InternationalOrganisationforStandardisation(ISO),InternationalSocialandEnvironmentalAccreditationandLabellingAlliance(ISEAL),ITU,theStandardizationAdministrationofChina,andWorldWildlifeFund(WWF).79Forexample,UNECEco-organisedthefollowinghigh-leveleventsincooperationwithstandardsbodiesandqualityinfrastructureinstitutionsduringtheperiodunderreview:- “StandardsforDRRsession”heldaspartoftheWorldConferenceonDisasterRisk

Reduction(March2015,Sendai,Japan),thenincorporatedintheUNECEbestpracticeguideonhowtousestandardstoincreasepreparednessforandresiliencetodisasters

- IEC-ISO-UNECEeventon"UsingandreferencingInternationalStandardstosupportpublicpolicy"(November2015,Geneva)–ledtobestpracticethatwasincorporatedintherevisionofRecommendationDonReferencetostandards

- WSCWorkshoponConformityAssessmentorganizedbytheWorldStandardsCooperation(WSC)(December2105,Geneva)inconjunctionwiththe2015meetingoftheWP.6sharedbestpracticethatwasincorporatedintherevisionofRecommendationFandG

- Internationalconferenceon‘StandardsfortheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)’,(Geneva,28-29November2017)leadingtothedevelopmentofbestpracticethatwouldresultintheadoptionofRecommendationTonStandardsandRegulationsforSustainableDevelopment80

- High-LevelEventonStandardsfortheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)(September2018,Geneva)featuredinavideohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsZlg75bzyo

- OpeningoftheGenderResponsiveStandardsDeclarationforsignature(May2019,alsofeaturedinananimationvideohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I-PKQOAGxM&list=PL4iZR0KyjSQ9qBPejBhcflke_HcF9M6r3&index=2&t=0sandacelebratoryvideohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4Cu5V6pbSQ)

78EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,ECE/CTCS/2019/8,28-29May2019,Geneva.79EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,ECE/CTCS/2019/8,28-29May2019,Geneva.80https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2017/Conference_Report.pdf

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TheWorkingParty6GroupofExpertsonRiskManagementinRegulatorySystems(GRM)alsobenefitsfromtheexpertiseofstandard-settingbodiesincludingtheISOTechnicalCommittee(TC)262onRiskManagement.81IECandISOarealsoclosepartnersfortheWorkingParty’sactivitiesinconformityassessmentandaccreditation,specifically,throughtheIECConformityAssessmentBoard,theIECConformityAssessmentSystemsandtheISOCommitteeonConformityAssessment(ISO/CASCO).82(ii)MetrologyandotherareasofthenationalandinternationalsystemofqualityinfrastructureTheInternationalNetworkofQualityInfrastructure(INetQI)–formedof12leadinginternationalorganizationsincludingUNECE83–definesthesystemcomprisingtheorganizations(publicandprivate)togetherwiththepolicies,relevantlegalandregulatoryframework,andpracticesneededtosupportandenhancethequality,safetyandenvironmentalsoundnessofgoods,servicesandprocesses.Qualityinfrastructureisrequiredfortheeffectiveoperationofdomesticmarkets,anditsinternationalrecognitionisimportanttoenableaccesstoforeignmarkets.Itisacriticalelementinpromotingandsustainingeconomicdevelopment,aswellasenvironmentalandsocialwellbeing.84Metrologyisthescientificstudyofmeasurement,anditsinstitutionsformpartofthequalityinfrastructuresystem.85InadditiontobeingafoundingmemberofINETQI,WorkingParty6worksinpartnershipwithnational,regionalandinternationalmetrologyandqualityinfrastructureinstitutionstopromotequalityinfrastructureandmetrology,including:theBureauInternationaldesPoidsetMesures(BIPM),InternationalCommitteeofWeightsandMeasures(CIPM),InternationalAccreditationForum(IAF),InternationalElectrotechnicalCommission(IEC),InternationalLaboratoryAccreditationCo-operation(ILAC),InternationalOrganizationofLegalMetrology(OIML),InternationalCommitteeforLegalMetrology(CIML),ISO,ITUandtheUnitedNationsIndustrialDevelopmentOrganization(UNIDO).86TheobjectiveoftheUNECEpartnershipwiththeseinstitutionsistoleveragetheirexpertiseinthedevelopmentandimplementationofbestpracticeinalltheareasofmandateoftheUNECEWorkingParty6.

81https://www.unece.org/info/media/presscurrent-press-h/trade/2018/12-international-organizations-renew-their-commitment-to-promote-quality-infrastructure-through-a-global-network/doc.html82EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,ECE/CTCS/2019/8,28-29May2019,Geneva.83TheBureauInternationaldesPoidsetMesures(BIPM),InternationalAccreditationForum(IAF),InternationalElectrotechnicalCommission(IEC),InternationalLaboratoryAccreditationCo-operation(ILAC),InternationalStandardsOrganisation(ISO),InternationalTradeCentre(ITC),InternationalTelecommunicationUnion(ITU),InternationalOrganizationofLegalMetrology(OIML),UnitedNationsEconomicCommissionforEurope(UNECE),WorldBankGroup,WorldTradeOrganisation(WTO),andtheUnitedNationsIndustrialDevelopmentOrganization(UNIDO).84ThisdefinitionwasdevelopedbytheINETQIanetwork12internationalorganizationsarepartofINetQI:theInternationalBureauofWeightsandMeasures(BIPM),InternationalAccreditationForum(IAF),InternationalElectrotechnicalCommission(IEC),InternationalLaboratoryAccreditationForum(ILAC),InternationalStandardsOrganization(ISO),InternationalTradeCentre(ITC),InternationalTelecommunicationUnion(ITU),InternationalOrganizationsofLegalMetrology(OIML),UnitedNationsEconomicCooperationforEurope(UNECE),WorldBankGroup(WBG),WorldTradeOrganization(WTO)andUNIDO.INETQIpartnersexchangeinformationandbestpracticeandwherepossible,collaborateinsupportingthedevelopmentofqualityinfrastructureviaawarenessraisingandcapacitybuilding.85UnitedNationsIndustrialDevelopmentOrganisation(undated),QualityInfrastructure:BuildingTrustforTrade,DepartmentofTrade,InvestmentandInnovation.86EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,ECE/CTCS/2019/8,28-29May2019,Geneva.

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(d)CooperationwithAcademiaWorkingParty6maintainsaclosepartnershipwithseveralacademicpartnersinthecontextoftheUNECE“STARTed”initiativeonEducationonStandardsandstandardsrelatedissues.88Thisincludes15academicinstitutionsfrom20memberStatesplustwofromoutsidetheUNECEregion.TheSTART-EdGroupaimstosupporteffortsbyschools,universities,vocationaltraininginstitutions,andothertrainingandresearchestablishmentstointegratestandardsandstandardrelatedissuesintheircurricula.Itdoesthisthroughpromotionofstandards-awarenessintheeducationalestablishmentsincludingelaborationofmoduleprogrammeonstandardization,assistinginsharingbestpracticesinteachingstandardstodifferentaudiences.89TheseacademicpartnersincludeRussia’sAcademyforStandardization,MetrologyandCertification,theCentreforTechnicalRegulation,StandardizationandMetrology,theHigherSchoolofEconomicsinMoscow,andtheJiliangUniversityofChinaallofwhichparticipateintheWorkingParty6AnnualSessionsandreportonactivitiesaimedatenhancingawarenessoftheroleofstandardsintheimplementationofthe2030Agenda.90Overall,keyinformantsnotedthebeneficialpartnershipsthatarefosteredbytheSecretariatofWorkingParty6,expressedtheirappreciationinworkingtogetheronissuesofcommonconcern,andthemutualbenefitsthatflowfromthat.SeveralintervieweesnotedtheirappreciationofaccessfortheirorganisationstoUNaudiencesandmechanisms.KeyinformantsalsonotedthatWorkingParty6promotespartnershipsatnational,regionalandgloballevelstosupporttheadoptionofsustainablepractices,andthatWorkingParty6leveragesthesepartnershipstoaddresschallengesinaccessingexpertise.Notwithstandingthesepositivekeyinformantobservations,lowparticipationratesshouldbenotedwithrespecttoannualmeetingsandmeetingsofadvisorygroups(seesection5.4.2),andthelimitedinterestfromstakeholderstoprovideresponsestothisevaluationsurveyorkeyinformantinterviews(seesection4.C).

5.1.4 HowrelevantareWorkingParty6activitieswithregardtogenderequalityandempowermentofwomen?In2016,WorkingParty6createdtheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativewiththeaimofimprovinggenderbalanceinstandardsdevelopment,andensuringthatthecontentandimpactofstandards,whenimplemented,aregender-responsive.Duringthe26thPlenarySessionofWorkingParty6,memberStatesagreedtogiveamandatetoinitiateconsultationsondevelopingaroadmapandarecommendationonmainstreaminggenderintostandardsandregulatorypoliciesatnationalandinternationallevels,withparticularreferenceto:• Enhancetheuseofstandardsandtechnicalregulationsastoolsforimplementationofthe

SustainableDevelopmentGoal5;• Mainstreamagenderperspectiveinthedevelopmentandimplementationofstandards;• Mainstreamagenderperspectiveinthedevelopmentandenforcementoftechnical

regulations.91

88EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,ECE/CTCS/2019/8,28-29May2019,Geneva.89https://www.unece.org/tradewelcome/steering-committee-on-trade-capacity-and-standards/tradewp6/groups/start-ed-group-on-education-and-standardization.html90EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,ECE/CTCS/2019/8,28-29May2019,Geneva.91EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciessession,ProgressReportonGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative,2November2018,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2018/3/Rev.1.

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TheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativeisextremelyrelevanttogenderequalityandempowermentofwomen,astheseareamongsttheInitiative’scentralaims.Moreover,surveyrespondentsandkeyinformantsthoughtthatWorkingParty6activitieswerehighlyrelevantwithrespecttogenderequalityandempowermentofwomen.Overall71%ofsurveyrespondentsthoughtthatactivitiesofWorkingParty6withregardtogenderequalityandwomen’sempowermentwererelevant,withhalfofthoseratingithighlyrelevantandtheotherhalfmoderatelyrelevant.Keyinformantsnotedthattheextra-budgetaryfundedGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativeisprovidinguniquelyhelpfulpolicyguidancetoUNMemberStates92thathasnotbeenundertakenbyanyotherinstitution.Therelevanceforgenderequalityisalsounderscoredbyseveralstrategicandpolicyguidancedocuments.Forinstance,thisInitiativewasundertakenwithinthecontextoftheUNECEProgrammeBudgetfortheperiod2018–2019.Further,theprojectisinlinewiththemandatefortheentireUNsystemonGenderEqualityandEmpowermentofWomen.93TheInitiativewasalsorelevantforUNECE’sGenderActionPlans(e.g.2018-2019),particularlyfortheTradeSub-programme’sObjective4–promoteparticipationofwomeninstandardsettingprocessesrelatedtothedevelopmentoftechnicalregulationsandidentifyandundertakeactionstoensurethatstandardscontributetogenderequality.AllmeasurableactionsandoutputsoftheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativewereachieved,namelyatleastonephysicalmeetingperyear,regularwebinarmeetings,andatleast6signatoriestotheDeclaration.Finally,theUNsystemwidepolicyon“GenderEqualityandtheEmpowermentofWomen”commitsallUNbodiestomainstreamgenderequalitythroughouttheiroperations.OtherevidencewhichsupportstheInitiative’srelevanceforgenderequalityincludesthebackgroundassetoutintheProgressReportontheInitiative.95ThisisdiscussedinsomedetailinSection5.5.5.

5.1.5 Doestheprogrammeincorporatetheperspectiveofvulnerablegroupsinthedesignoftherecommendations?WorkingParty6hasadopted19UNECErecommendationssince1970toaddressstandardizationandregulatoryissues.Theserecommendationssetoutgoodpracticeregardingregulatorycooperation,standardsandnorms,conformityassessment,marketsurveillance,andmetrology.Throughtheserecommendations,theWorkingPartyencouragesrulemakerstobasetheirregulationsoninternationalstandardstoprovideacommondenominatortothenormsthatapplyindifferentmarkets.Italsoseekstopromoteagreementsthatenhancecooperationandmutualconfidenceinthetechnicalcompetence,reliabilityandimpartialityofothernationalbodiesandinstitutions.97WorkingParty6hasdevelopedorupdatedfiverecommendationsfrom2015-2018toaddressstandardizationandregulatoryissues:• RecommendationF-CreationandPromotionofInternationalAgreementsonConformity

Assessment

92TheDeclarationonGenderResponsiveStandardshasbeensignedbynumerouscountriesbeyondtheUNECEregion.TheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativeisaimedatpublicadministrations,encouragingthemtobringtheDeclarationonGenderResponsiveStandardstotheattentionofstandardsbodiesintheirjurisdictionandtoencouragethemtosign.93UnitedNationsEconomicandSocialCouncilresolutionsno.2011/5andno.2013/16.95EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciessession,ProgressReportonGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative,2November2018,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2018/3/Rev.1.97https://www.unece.org/tradewelcome/tradewp6/recommendations.html

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• RecommendationG–AcceptanceofConformityAssessmentResults• RecommendationS–ApplyingPredictiveRiskManagementToolsforTargetedMarket

Surveillance• RecommendationT–StandardsandRegulationsforSustainableDevelopment• RecommendationU–GenderResponsiveStandards.93%ofsurveyrespondentsthoughtthattheperspectiveofthefollowingvulnerablegroupswasincorporatedinthedesignoftherecommendations.Surveyrespondentscitedthefollowingvulnerablegroups:women,girls,children,peoplewithdisabilities,elderly,ethnicminorities,andpeopleaffectedbynaturaldisasters.AmajorityofsurveyrespondentsthoughtthattheperspectiveofvulnerablegroupswasincorporatedinthedesignofRecommendationU–GenderResponsiveStandards(64%)andRecommendationT–StandardsandRegulationsforSustainableDevelopment(61%).KeyinformantsthoughtthattheperspectiveofvulnerablegroupsofwomenwereconsideredinthedesignofRecommendationUonGenderResponsiveStandards.Thisissupportedbythefactthatrepresentativesofwomen’sorganisations,includingvulnerablegroupsofwomen,wereconsultedandtheirperspectivessoughtinthedevelopmentanddraftingofRecommendationUandtheaccompanyingDeclaration.TheRecommendationisultimatelyaboutadaptingproductsandtheirstandardstotheneedsofwomen.

AminorityofsurveyrespondentsthoughtthattheperspectiveofvulnerablegroupswasincorporatedinthedesignofRecommendationS–ApplyingPredictiveRiskManagementToolsforTargetedMarketSurveillance(29%),RecommendationF-CreationandPromotionofInternationalAgreementsonConformityAssessment(14%),andRecommendationG–AcceptanceofConformityAssessmentResults(14%).KeyinformantsthoughtthattheperspectiveofpeoplewithdisabilitieswasconsideredinthedesignofRecommendationSonApplyingPredictiveRiskManagementToolsforTargetedMarketSurveillance.Thisisbecauseit

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Rec.F

Rec.G

Rec.S

Rec.T

Rec.U

None

Whichrecommendationsincorporatedtheperspectiveofvulnerablegroups(women,children,elderly,people

withdisabilities,others)?

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seekstopreventandminimizeriskofinjuriesandotheraccidentsthatmaycausedeathordisabilitiesrelatedtotheuseofnon-compliantproducts.

5.2 EffectivenessEffectiveness:Extenttowhichtheexpectedoutcomesofaprojecthavebeenachieved,andhaveresultedinchangesandeffects,positiveandnegative,plannedandunforeseen,withrespecttothetargetgroupsandotheraffectedstakeholders.

5.2.1 Whatoutcomeshavebeenachieved,bothexpectedandunexpected,positiveandnegative?PositiveoutcomeshavebeenachievedinallthematicareasofWorkingParty6interventions.Examplesfromthefollowingareasillustratethis:StandardsfortheSDGs;GenderResponsiveStandards;ConformityAssessment;MarketSurveillance;RiskManagement;StandardsandEducation;andDisasterriskreduction.

(a) StandardsfortheSDGsApositivehighlightwasthehigh-profileUNECE/InternationalOrganisationforStandardisation(ISO)eventaspartoftheISOGeneralAssemblytoraiseawarenessabouthowstandardscontributetotherealizationoftheSDGs.Theeventbroughttogetherover800representativesofthestandardscommunity,UNagencies,corporateentities,diplomatsandnationalpolicymakers.98Theeventenhancedtheusageanduptakebypolicymakersofstandardsasavitaltooltosupporttheachievementofthe2030AgendaforSustainableDevelopment.99Keyinformantsnotedthatthiseventexposedstandardizationtonewaudiences,broughtkeymessagestodifferentconstituencies,andshowcasedthepotentialvalueofstandardizationformakingapositivesustainableimpact.Thedonorwasespeciallypleasedwiththeachievementsoftheprojectandhasapprovedanextensionoftheprojectforanothertwoyearsanddoubledthefundingforthenextphase.Thisprojectisrenamed“Enhancingusageanduptakeofstandardsforsustainabledevelopment,genderequalityandtheempowermentofwomenandgirls”(August2019-August2021).100

(b) GenderresponsivestandardsPositiveoutcomesachievedintheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativehavebeendiscussedinSections5.1.1-5.1.5.TheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativedraftedtheinnovativeDeclarationforGenderResponsiveStandardsandStandardsDevelopment,whichwasembeddedintoRecommendationUin2018,andopenedforsignaturein2019.AneventtohighlightistheinnovativevirtualOpeningoftheDeclarationforSignatureevent,whichwasbroadcastliveonUNTVandactivelypromotedonTwitterandFacebook.PicturesandvideosweresharedbystandardsorganisationsandotherstakeholdersuponsigningtheDeclaration,whicharepostedtotheUNECEwebsiteandadedicatedUNECEYouTubechannel.101Engagementwashigh,with56nationalandregionalstandardsorganisationssigningthe

98EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,ECE/CTCS/2019/8,28-29May2019,Geneva.99EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,ECE/CTCS/2019/8,28-29May2019,Geneva.100EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,“AnnotatedProvisionalAgendaforthe29thSession”,27August2019,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2019/1.101Thiswasestimatedtohavereached3millionbytraditionaland2millionbysocialmedia(376postsonTwitter,Facebook,Youtube&Blogs).

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Declarationontheday,whichwasahugesuccess.102ThewidetakeupoftheDeclarationhadbeenmadepossiblebyanintenseawareness-raisingcampaignincluding:directemailsandphonecallsbytheUNECESecretariatandalarge-scalecampaignonsocialandtraditionalmediaincludingbymeansofsharingavideoandananimationvideo.103Virtualeventsaregoodforcarbonmilesandclimatechange,andareanefficientuseofresources.

(c) ConformityassessmentConformityassessmentinvolvesasetofprocessesthatshowaproduct,serviceorsystemmeetstherequirementsofastandard.Undergoingtheconformityassessmentprocesshasanumberofbenefits:(i)Itprovidesconsumersandotherstakeholderswithaddedconfidence;(ii)Itgivescompaniesacompetitiveedge;and(iii)Ithelpsregulatorsensurethathealth,safetyorenvironmentalconditionsaremet.104Certificationistheprovisionbyanindependentbodyofwrittenassurance(acertificate)thattheproduct,serviceorsysteminquestionmeetsspecificrequirements.Certificationisalsoknownasthirdpartyconformityassessment.105In2015,WorkingParty6requestedthattheBureauinitiatearevisionofRecommendationsFandGonconformityassessmenttakingintoconsiderationdevelopmentsinthisarea,inconsultationswithallinterestedUNmemberStates,theconformityassessmentcommunityandrelevantstakeholders.106In2016,theWorkingPartyadoptedarevisedversionoftheRecommendationFon“CreationandPromotionofInternationalAgreementsonConformityAssessment”andrevisedRecommendationGon“AcceptanceofConformityAssessmentResults”.107.TherecommendationssupportGovernments’effortstoestablish,promoteandimplementconformityassessmentproceduresandtofosteracultureofpreventionofaccidentsonthebasisofastructuredassessmentofrisks,whichwillhelpGovernmentstoavoidestablishingproceduresthatarenotjustifiedongroundsofsafetyandpublichealth.108

ThesearetheonlyRecommendationsintheareaofConformityAssessmentdevelopedandadoptedbyaUnitedNationsintergovernmentalbodygrantingthemparticularlegitimacyandcredit.Theserecommendations,andmoregenerallythebestpracticedevelopedinthisareabyWorkingParty6,arefoundationalandquotedintrainingandawarenessraisingmaterialsusedworldwide,aswellasnationally.Forexample,theISOportal”ConformityAssessmenttoolstosupportpublicpolicy”widelyreferencesUNECEbestpracticeintheareaofconformityassessment,whichisalsoreferencedbyUnitedKingdomAccreditationService(UKAS).109TheRecommendationswereparticularlywellacceptedbytheConformity

10260signatoriestodate.Pleaseseehttps://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/AreasOfWork/GenderInitiative/Signatories_list_19092019.pdf103Draftminutesofthe1stphysicalmeetingofsignatoriesofGenderResponsiveStandardsDeclaration-CapeTown,SouthAfrica–17September2019.104https://www.iso.org/conformity-assessment.htm`l105https://www.iso.org/conformity-assessment.html106EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,ReportofWorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesonitstwentyfifthsession,25December2015,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2015/2.107EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,ReportofWorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesonitstwentysixthsession,27December2016,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2016/2.108ProgrammeperformancereportoftheUnitedNationsforthebiennium2016–2017,ReportoftheSecretary-General,23March,2018,A/73/77.109https://www.iso.org/sites/cascoregulators/03_considerations.html#practiceandinmoredetail:https://www.iso.org/sites/cascoregulators/documents/Annex%208%20-%20Conformity%20assessment%20-%20Risk%20assessment.pdf:https://www.ukas.com/news/unece-trade-recommendations-reference-accreditation/andinthebrochure“Accreditation:Facilitatingworldtrade”jointlypublishedbyILACandIAF(https://ilac.org/?ddownload=888

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AssessmentCommunitybecausetheywerebasedonthebestpracticesharedattheConformityAssessmentWorkshopoftheWorldStandardsCooperationheldinconjunctionwiththewiththeannualmeetingofWorkingParty6in2015.110Theseco-organizedeventsgalvanizedparticipationbyconformityassessmentexpertsintheelaborationoftheRecommendations.

(d) MarketsurveillanceMarketsurveillanceisasetofactivitiescarriedoutandmeasurestakenbydesignatedauthoritiestoensurethatproductscomplywithmandatoryrequirementsanddonotendangeranyaspectofpublicinterestprotection.Despiteeffortsmadebypublicauthorities,sub-standardproductsrepresentapermanentthreattopublicsafety,andcounterfeitgoodsincreasinglyinfringeintellectualpropertyrights.TheWorkingParty6anditsAdvisoryGroupforMarketSurveillance(MARSGroup)activelypromoteanapproachofmarketsurveillancebasedonbestpracticeandinternationalstandards,byencouragingmemberStatestocoordinatetheireffortstoensurethatproductsonthemarketsaresafeandcomplywithregulationsinforce.111Intheperiodunderreview,UNECEheldfourmeetingsoftheMARSGroupwhichresultedinthefollowingmainachievements:- Mappingofothermarketsurveillancenetworksresultingintheinvitationofnewpartnersto

theannualmeetings- Exchangeofbestpracticeonhowtodealwiththechallengeofonlinesales- Thedevelopment,jointlywiththeGRMgroup,oftheRecommendationSonApplying

PredictiveRiskManagementToolsforTargetedMarketSurveillance.112Regardingtheimplementationofthebestpracticethroughcapacitybuilding,Kyrgyzstan,inresponsetotherecommendationoftheUNECEstudyonRegulatoryandProceduralBarrierstoTradeinKyrgyzstan,askedtheUNECEtodevelopaprojectfor“Strengtheningthenationalcapacityoftrade-supportinstitutions”inthecountry,withafocusonmarketsurveillance,riskmanagementinbusinessandregulation,andconformityassessment.Theprojectdevelopedatrainingguideonregulatoryframeworksandmarketsurveillanceandorganizedaseriesofworkshopsandatrainthetrainers’courseinMay2018inthecapitalandregionsofKyrgyzstan.113TheGroupofExpertsonManagingRisksinRegulatorySystemsdevelopedRecommendationS“ApplyingPredictiveRiskManagementToolsforTargetedMarketSurveillance”in2016.Itaimstoprovideguidancetomarketsurveillanceauthoritiesinplanningsurveillanceactivitiesonthebasisofapredictiverisk-basedassessmentofproducts/businesseswithintheir

110https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/SectoralInitiatives/MARS/Geneva_Sept2016/WSCCAWorkshop-Outcomes-final.pdfseelastparagraph,aswellasthe“IEC-ISO-UNECEeventon"UsingandreferencingInternationalStandardstosupportpublicpolicy"(November2015).111http://www.unece.org/tradewelcome/steering-committee-on-trade-capacity-and-standards/working-party-on-regulatory-cooperation-and-standardization-policies-wp6/groups/advisory-group-on-market-surveillance-mars.html112Asevidenceoftheresultsachievedinthisareaofwork,pleaseseehttp://www.eurasiancommission.org/en/nae/news/Pages/11-07-2019-1.aspx113EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciessession,ReportoftheAdvisoryGrouponMarketSurveillanceonitsactivities,7September2017,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2018/13.

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jurisdiction.115TheAdvisoryGrouponMarketSurveillance(MARSGroup)gavefeedbackontheproposedrecommendation.116

(e) RiskmanagementPolicymakersandtechnicalregulationauthoritiesworktoidentifyandaddresspublicrisks.WorkingParty6developsguidanceforregulatoryauthoritiestoeffectivelymanagerisksthatconfrontconsumers,citizensandcommunities.Standardsandtechnicalregulationsare–amongotherthings-riskmitigationtools.Authoritiesandstandardizationbodiesdevelopthesewiththegoalofchangingthebehaviourofconsumers,communities,economicoperators,andsoon.Takencollectively,theymakeproductssafe,organizations’processesstableandconsumersbetterprotectedfromhazards.Buildingregulatoryframeworksbasedonaconsistentriskmanagementprocessallowscountriestoprotecttheircitizens,withoutunnecessaryobstaclestointernationaltradeandunwantedimpactontheindustry’scompetitiveness.117WorkingParty6establishedtheGroupofExpertsonRiskManagementinRegulatorySystemsin2010.TheGroupofExpertsaimsatanimprovedmanagementofhazardsthathavethepotentialtoaffectthequalityofproductsandservices,and/orcauseharmordamagetopeople,theenvironment,propertyandimmaterialassets.TheGroupdevelopsandsharesbestpracticeregardingtheuseofriskmanagementtoolsinregulatoryandmanagerialactivities.118TheGroupofExpertsonManagingRisksinRegulatorySystemsdevelopedRecommendationTon“StandardsandRegulationsforSustainableDevelopment”,whichisarecommendationaimedatprovidingguidancetoregulatorysystemsstakeholdersontheuseofriskmanagementtoolsinregulatoryframeworksinsupportoftheachievementoftheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs).119TheRecommendationenhancesthecontributionofvoluntarystandardsandregulatoryframeworkstorealizingAgenda2030.120MorebroadlytheRecommendationsonRiskManagementinregulatorysystemsarewidelyregardedasfoundational.Asoneexample,theyarefeaturedintheUN/DESApublication“WorldPublicSectorReport”of2019.121

115EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciessession,ProgressreportontheactivitiesoftheGroupofExpertson“ManagingRisksinRegulatorySystems”,11September2019,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2019/7.116EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciessession,ReportoftheAdvisoryGrouponMarketSurveillanceonitsactivities,1November2016,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2016/12.117http://www.unece.org/tradewelcome/steering-committee-on-trade-capacity-and-standards/tradewp6/thematic-areas/risk-management.html118EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciessession,ProgressreportontheactivitiesoftheGroupofExpertson“ManagingRisksinRegulatorySystems”,11September2019,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2019/7.119EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciessession,ProgressreportontheactivitiesoftheGroupofExpertson“ManagingRisksinRegulatorySystems”,11September2019,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2019/7.120ProgrammeperformancereportoftheUnitedNationsforthebiennium2016–2017,ReportoftheSecretary-General,23March,2018,A/73/77.ItisdifficulttoprovidemorespecificsregardinghowmanycountrieshaveadoptedthevoluntaryRecommendation,becauseitisboththeproductofandthebasisfortheengagementofstandardsbodiesintheareaofsustainabledevelopment.Inotherwords,becausetheRecommendationsaredevelopedinbroadconsultation,theyreflectexistingpolicyorientationsbyMemberStatesandhelpcrystallizeit.121PleaseseeChapter9https://publicadministration.un.org/en/Research/World-Public-Sector-Reportshttp://workspace.unpan.org/sites/Internet/Documents/UNPAN99288.pdf

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(f) StandardsandeducationWorkingParty6establishedthetaskforceonEducationonStandardsandStandards-relatedissues(START-Edgroup)in2012topromotestandards-awarenessineducationestablishments,includingelaborationofamodelprogrammeonstandardization,andtoassistinsharingbestpracticesinteachingstandardstodifferentaudiences.122In2018,itpublished“BringingstandardizationinUniversityCurricula:Makingthecase”,whichadvocatesforintegrationofeducationaboutstandardizationintothecurriculaofeducationalestablishments.Itpresentsevidenceoftherelevanceofstandardsforpolicymakersandbusinessexecutivesaswellasprofessionals.ItreviewsUNECEeffortssince2012toimproveeducationaboutstandardization,aswellasactivitiesunderwaybyuniversities,standardsbodiesandindependentassociations.Theconclusionspresentprioritiesanddirectionsforfuturework.123StandardisationhasbeenintegratedintouniversitycurriculainBelarus,Bulgaria,France,Germany,Japan,Kazakhstan,Portugal,Russia,Switzerland,theUnitedKingdom,Ukraine,andtheUnitedStates.124However,thisreviewindicatesthateducationonstandardizationiscurrentlyinsufficient,duetobothalackofdemandandalackofavailabilityofrelevantprogrammes,leadingtoashortageoftalentinqualityinfrastructure,bothwithintheUNECEregionandglobally.ThisimpactsnegativelyontheimplementationoftheAgenda2030,asstandardsimplementationiscriticaltoallthreedimensionsofsustainabledevelopment.

(g) DisasterriskreductionTheGroupofExpertsonManagingRisksinRegulatorySystemsapplieditsRecommendationstothespecificsofDisasterRiskReduction,includingthrough(i)publishingabackgroundpaperon“StandardsandNormativeMechanismsforDisasterRiskReduction”forthe2015editionoftheGlobalAssessmentReportonDisasterRiskReduction;125and(ii)participatingintheWorldConferenceonDisasterRiskReductioninSendai,JapaninMarch2015,andorganizinganeventonStandardsforDisasterRiskReduction,includingbuildingcodes.126TheaboveexampleshaveillustratedmanyactivitiesofWorkingParty6acrossallitsareasofwork.Overall,25%ofsurveyrespondentsnotedunexpectedoutcomesandthesewereallpositive,namelythesigningoftheDeclarationforGenderResponsiveStandardsandStandardsDevelopment;connectiontoabroaderglobalstandardscommunity;andthesharingofbestpracticeacrossdifferentsectors.Only7%ofsurveyrespondentsthoughtthatnegativeoutcomeshavebeenachievedasaresultofWorkingParty6activities,explainingthatsomegroupsorstakeholdersmaydominatediscussionsandwork,i.e.authorities.Onekeyinformantnotedthattherecouldhavebeenmorevisibilityregardingthematerialsdeveloped,notingtheresourcechallengesthatimpede

122http://www.unece.org/tradewelcome/steering-committee-on-trade-capacity-and-standards/tradewp6/groups/start-ed-group-on-education-and-standardization.html123EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,ReportofWorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesonitstwentyeighthsession,6December2018,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2018/2.124https://www.unece.org/tradewelcome/steering-committee-on-trade-capacity-and-standards/tradewp6/thematic-areas/education.html125EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciessession,ProgressreportontheactivitiesoftheGroupofExpertson“ManagingRisksinRegulatorySystems”,11September2019,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2019/7.https://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/publications/49540126EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciessession,ProgressreportontheactivitiesoftheGroupofExpertson“ManagingRisksinRegulatorySystems”,11September2019,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2019/7.http://www.wcdrr.org/conference/events/885

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this.

5.2.2 WhatvaluehasUNECE’seffortsadded?KeyinformantsspokeofthevalueofUNECE’seffortsthroughWorkingParty6,includingprovisionofanimpartialplatformforengagement.Thisiskeybecauseithastheabilitytobringdifferentcountriestogetherthatmaybeinconflictwithoneanotheronneutralground.Itgatherstogetherimportantinternationalstandardizationstakeholdersatannualsessionstofindcommonsolutionstosharedproblems.Ithelpstoconnectbeneficiarieswithstandardssettingbodies,sinceWorkingParty6isaplatformwherealargevarietyofstakeholdersinteract,byidentifyingcommonchallengesanddevelopingbestpracticetoovercomethesechallenges.127Also,WorkingParty6providesaforumforexchangeofbestpracticesinallitsthematicareasthroughitsadvisorygroups.Itistheonlyinternationalforumwhereallthemainpartsoftechnicalregulationarecovered.Severalkeyinformantsnotedthemulti-disciplinarynatureoftheadvisorygroups,observingthatthisisacreativewaytoseehowsolutionsinvarioussectorsmayhelpinothers,andsuchgroupstendtoprovideabetterspectrumofresults.Onekeyinformantnotedhelpfulinsightsgainedfromothercountriesindifferentregulatorysectorsregardingsuspensionofcertainaspectsofregulationintheeventofamajordisaster.TheWorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicieshasalsohelpedtoadvocateformakingstandardsavailableinthe“leastrestrictivemannerpossible”,128incompliancewithintellectualpropertyrightsofstandardizationbodieswhodevelopsuchstandards.Ithasdonesoby:

1) Showcasinghowstandardshelpreachpolicyobjectives(forexample,throughtheStandardsfortheSDGsportal);

2) Enhancingtheunderstandingbypolicymakersofstandardsastoolstomanagesocietalrisks(throughitsworkonRiskmanagementinregulatoryframeworks);

3) Advocatingthatstandardsaredevelopedinawaythatisinclusive,sothattheyincludetheperspectiveofthemostvulnerable(throughitsworkongenderresponsivestandards);

4) Supportingstandardsimplementationby:a. Conductingcapacity-buildingactivities(i.e.theprojecton“Strengtheningthe

nationalcapacityoftrade-supportinstitutionsofKyrgyzstan”);b. SupportingtheworkcarriedoutintheSteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacity

andStandardsandrelatedtotheidentificationofareasofneedsforqualityinfrastructureinstitutionsincountriesoftheUNECEregion;

c. Supportingeducationalinstitutioninteachingstandardizationinuniversitiesandaspartofvocationaltraining.

SeveralkeyinformantsnotedtheWorkingParty’sengagementinnewandinnovativeareas.Forexample,riskmanagementwasnewin2009aroundthetimetheWorkingPartybegantoengageinthistopic,andhadtoconvincestakeholdersthatitwasanarearipefordevelopment.Inrecentyears,theWorkingPartyhasbeenengaginginmorenewandinnovativeareasinregulationandstandardization,namelyusingstandardsforachievementoftheSustainableDevelopmentGoalsandgenderresponsivestandards.Again,theWorkingPartyhashadtoworkhardtoconvincestakeholdersthattheseareareasworthdeveloping,andthisispayingoff,as

127http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2019/List_of_participants.pdf128http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/Recommendations/Recommendation_D_en.pdf

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demonstratedbyfundingoftheseprojects(combinednowintooneproject)foranothertwoyears.NowpolicymakersandstandardsbodiesarebeginningtoappreciatethevalueofusingstandardsasatoolforachievementofAgenda2030,includingSustainableDevelopmentGoal5ongenderequality,asdiscussedelsewhereinthisreport.

5.2.3 Whatwerethechallenges/obstaclestoachievingtheactivities’objectiveandexpectedaccomplishments?43%ofsurveyrespondentsthoughttherewerechallengesinachievingtheobjectiveandexpectedaccomplishmentsofWorkingParty6’swork,namelythelackoffundsandotherresourcesavailableforitswork,thefactthatworkinggroupmembershavetopersonallyinvesttheirtimeandtravelcosts,thattiming/locationofmeetingsisonlysuitableforEuropeandNorthAmericawhichlimitsparticipationofpeopleoutsideofthoseregions,129andimplementationisachallenge,especiallywithrespecttogenderandstandards.Moreover,WorkingParty6advisorygroupreportsrefertoinsufficientfundingfortheorganizationofworkandforfieldwork,130andinsufficientinvolvementbymemberStates.131ItshouldbenotedthatthisisgenerallythecasefortheWorkingPartiesandCommitteesadministeredbyUNECE.132Keyinformantsagreedwithchallengesregardingprobonoparticipation,timing/locationofsessions,andimplementation.Regardingimplementation,keyinformantsnoteddifficultieswithimplementationandenforcement,sincetheRecommendationsdevelopedbytheWorkingPartyoperateasavoluntarysystem.TheycommentedthatcountrieswitheconomiesintransitionlackresourcestoimplementWorkingParty6Recommendations.Limitedparticipationandengagementbetweenmeetingsisanotherobstacletoachievingobjectives,discussedfurtherinSection5.4.2.PleaseseefurtherdiscussionregardingresourcesandmitigationstrategiesunderSections5.3.1and5.3.2.Otherchallengesidentifiedincludedthelackofawarenessamongstpolicymakersofthevalueofstandardsasatoolforsustainabledevelopment,thelackofawarenessamongststandardsbodiesofAgenda2030andtheimportanceofvoluntarystandardstoitsrealization,andthelackofunderstandingofthelinkagesbetweenstandardsandgenderequality.Keyinformantsnotedthefrequentturnoverofgovernmentandstandardsbodiespersonnelandthecontinualprocessofeducatingregulatorsandpolicymakersonthevalueofstandardsforachievingthesustainabledevelopmentgoalsandgenderequality.WorkingParty6addressedthesechallengesbydesigningandimplementingtwoextra-budgetaryfundedprojects,namelytheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativeandtheStandardsfortheSDGsproject,whoseachievements–includingawarenessraisingontheabovetopics-arediscussedelsewhereinthisreport.Bywayofillustration,thepublication“Standards

129NotingcommentsaboveregardingtheUNECEmandate.130FieldworkisanimportantwayofensuringthattherecommendationsandbestpracticedevelopedbyWorkingParty6canbeimplemented.WorkingParty6istryingtoaddressthisthroughthesecondphaseoftheextra-budgetaryprojecton“StandardsfortheSDGs”,whichisabouttostart.Activitiesplannedundertheprojectincludetheorganizationof4high-leveleventsonthetopicof“StandardsfortheSDGs”aswellassupporttolocalandnationalstakeholdersinthedevelopment,disseminationandimplementationofbestpracticeforgenderresponsivestandards(fournational/regionalworkshops,twoadvisorymissions).Theidentificationofcountriesandregionsinwhichtheseworkshopwillbecarriedoutwillbedecidedastheactivitesgetunderway.131SeeforexampleEconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciessession,ProgressreportontheactivitiesoftheGroupofExpertson“ManagingRisksinRegulatorySystems”,11September2019,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2019/7.132Keyinformantinterviews.OnlyaminorityofUNECECommitteesandWorkingPartieshavebeenabletoraisefundsandpayforexpensesoftheirmembersandcontributetothecostsofthoseworkingprobono.

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fortheSDGs”offerspolicymakersandstandardsstakeholdersanopportunitytoconsiderthepotentialofstandardsaspowerfultoolsforachievingsustainabledevelopment.Withexamplesrangingfromthesubnational,nationalandgloballevels,andfromallregions,itoffersinspirationtoconsiderotherlocalcontextsandhowstandardsmaybeappliedtobestrealizetheglobalgoalsindifferentconstituencies.133Moreover,WorkingParty6soughttoensurethattheknowledgeispassedonthroughprovidingtrainingthroughawidevarietyofmeans:- physicalworkshops(suchasthoseorganizedinKyrgyzstan)- onlinemodules(suchasthosethatareprovidedonthePortalonStandardsfortheSDGs)134- manualsandreadytousetrainingmaterials(suchasTrainingGuideonRegulatory

FrameworksandMarketSurveillance).135

5.3 EfficiencyEfficiency:Extenttowhichhumanandfinancialresourceswereusedinthebestpossiblewaytodeliveractivitiesandoutputs,incoordinationwithotherstakeholders.

5.3.1 Istherelationshipbetweencost(funds,time)andresultsreasonable?WorkingParty6operatesabroadmandatewithverylimitedhumanandfinancialresourcesforthesignificantoutcomesitachieves.TheWorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesisaforumfordialogueamongregulatorsandpolicymakers.Participantsdiscuss,makerecommendations,anddevelopbestpracticeonawiderangeofissues.Itsbroadmandatecoversmanythematicareasincluding:regulatorycooperation,marketsurveillance,riskmanagement,conformityassessment,educationonstandards,useofstandards,qualityinfrastructure,standardsandtheSDGs,disasterriskreduction,andgenderresponsivestandards.136Furthermore,aspartoftheUNsystem,WorkingParty6aspartoftheUNECEintergovernmentalbodystructurehasamandatetorespondtointernationallyagreeddevelopmentgoalssuchasthe2030Agenda,139theUNSystemWidePolicyonGenderEqualityandtheEmpowermentofWomen,140andtheSendaiFrameworkforDisasterRiskReduction.141TheWorkingPartyoperateswithfinancialandhumanresourcescomparabletoWorkingParty7,142alsoreportingtotheSteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards.RegularbudgetresourcesconsistofoneP-4andoneP-3staffmembers,withparttimesupportfromaP-2staffmember,143,andparttimesupportfromonepostintheGeneralSupportcategory.133UNECE,StandardsfortheSustainableDevelopmentGoals,2018.134https://standards4sdgs.unece.org/trainings135(ECE/TRADE/441)http://www.unece.org/index.php?id=47846136http://www.unece.org/tradewelcome/steering-committee-on-trade-capacity-and-standards/tradewp6/about-us.html139http://www.unece.org/unece-and-the-sdgs/unece-and-the-sdgs.html140https://www.unwomen.org/en/docs/2006/12/un-policy-on-gender-equality-and-empowerment-of-women-ceb-2006-2141http://www.unece.org/sustainable-development/disaster-risk-reduction.html142Thehumanresourcesallocationhasbeenlikethissince2012.• WP.6–1P4,+P3,shareofG4• WP.61P4,+P3,1G5• SteeringCommittee1P5,1P3,shareofG4,shareofG6Since2017thehumanresourcesallocationhasbeen:o WP.6–1P4,1P2,shareofG6(theG4postwasabolished)o WP.7–1P4,1P2,IG5o SteeringCommittee1P5,1P3,shareofG6(aftertheabolishmentoftheG4,theG6wasassignedfullytothissection,sharing

timebetweenWP.6,SteeringCommitteeandbudgetreporting)143TheP-2staffmemberissharedwithintheTradeDivision.TheallocationoftimeofthisresourcetoWorkingParty6variesdependingonneedsoftradefacilitationsection,marketaccesssection,andbudgetandcommunications.

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Thereisasmallamountofannualbudgetforconsultancies(around$4,000)andtravel(around$4,000).144TheselimitedresourcesreflectasimilarsituationinotherUNECETradeWorkingParties.145WorkingParty6hasgoodcapacitytomobiliseextra-budgetaryresources.Duringtheperiodunderreview,extra-budgetaryresourceshavebeenthroughprojectfundingforthefollowing:- “StrengtheningtheNationalCapacityofTradeSupportInstitutionsofKyrgyzstan”project

-$95,000overtwoyears,July2016-June2018.ThisincludedfulltimeP-2staffmemberforsixmonths;and1Gstaffforthreemonths.

- GenderinStandardsInitiative-$25,000(includingsomebudgetfromSDGsprojectforgenderconsultants$10,000)andsomebudgetfromKyrgyzstanprojecttopayforUNWomenGenderExpertguidance$3,000).

- StandardsfortheSDGsproject-$177,500foroneyear,July2018-2019.ThisincludedfulltimeP-2supportforthefinalsixmonthsoftheperiodunderreviewandthreeconsultantsforaroundfourmonthstotal.Fortunately,thedonorfortheStandardsfortheSDGsprojecthasconfirmedcontinuedfundingof$400,000overaperiodoftwoyearsstartinginJuly2019.TheGenderinStandardsInitiativewillnowcomeunderthisbudgettoo.

ThepositivesupportoftheabilitytoattractandimplementusefulproductsthroughXBresourcesisstronglynoted.RegardingtheWorkingParty6advisorygroups,theUNECEsecretariatdoesnotservicethemformally.WorkingParty6hasoneannualsession,normallyinlateNovember.ThegroupsreportingtoWorkingParty6meetonline(regularWebexcalls,emaillistserversetc)andoccasionally,somecountriesthathaveastronginterestinanyparticulararea,callforameetinginthememberStateinquestion.Thesemeetingsareorganizedbythehostorganization,withlittleinput(otherthansupporttotheagendaandminutes,ifnecessary)andinsituparticipation,iffinancingcanbesecured. Inadditiontoitshumanandfinancialresources,WorkingParty6effectivelyleveragesabroadrangeofstrategicpartnershipstodiversifyitsaccesstotechnicalexpertiseinitsvariousthematicareasofintervention.Thishasbeendiscussedinmoredetailatsection5.1.3.Furtherefficiencieshavebeensoughtbyleveragingexistingmeetingstosaveontravelbudgets

144WorkingParty.6,WorkingParty7andtheSteeringCommitteehaveanequalshareofthetravelandconsultancybudgets.WhentheMarketAccessSectiongetstheSteeringCommitteeshare,normallyinJanuary-February,itdividestravelfundsby6(i.e.thesameamountforeachProfessionalpostintheSection:2intheSteeringCommittee,2,inWP.6and2inWP.7)andtheconsultanciesbythree(3unitsinthesection).TheannualtravelbudgethasbeenaboutUSD2000perPpost.Consequently,asthereare2Ppostsinthisunit,thebudgetisapproximatelyUSD4000peryear.ThisshowsthatthesecretariatcanaffordonesingletripperPpostperyear.145UndertheTradeSub-programmeallareashavethesameconstraints.TheSteeringCommittee,WorkingParty.6andWorkingParty.7areallservicedby2PpostsandashareofaGpost.IneachWorkingParty,someresourceshavenotbeenfullyavailableforanumberofreasons.WP.7hasmanagedtodrasticallycutnon-essentialwork,focusingonservicingtheWP.7meetings(compulsoryRBwork)andlimitedotheractivities,theSteeringCommitteehascutoffallnon-essentialworkfocusingexplicitlyondeliveringtheEXCOMapprovedverynarrowmandate.Furtheradjustmentisstillnecessary.WP.7has5annualintergovernmentalmeetingsinGeneva(theWP.7itself,andeachofthefourspecializedsectionshaveone[freshfruitandvegetables;dryanddriedproduce;meat;seedpotatoes].TheSteeringCommitteehasoneannualsessionandWP.6hasoneannualsession.AstherehasnotbeenaP3officerinWP.6foralmost2years,thishasbeentoppedupwithashareoftheP2officer,sharedbythemarketaccesssectionandthetradefacilitationsection(40%tradefacilitation,40%marketaccesssection,20%budgetandcommunications).

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forSecretariatstaffaswellasmeetingparticipants,andbyconductingvirtualmeetingsandwebinars,whichsignificantlyreducestravelandmeetingfacilitycosts.Forinstance,thein-personGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativemeetingsareheldbeforeorafterothermeetingswheremanyparticipantswouldalreadybepresent.In2019,itheldtheMeetingofSignatoriesoftheDeclarationonGenderResponsiveStandardsandStandardsDevelopmentinSouthAfricainparalleltotheInternationalOrganisationforStandardization(ISO)annualgeneralmeeting,tocapitalizeonthefactthatmanyparticipantswouldalreadybethere.InNovember2019,thehighlevelsegmentonGenderResponsiveStandardswasheldonthemorningbeforetheAnnualWorkingPartymeetingbeginsinGeneva.146Inaddition,theGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativeholdsfourwebinarsperyear.Likewise,theGroupofExpertsonManagingRisksinRegulatorySystems”functionsonthebasisofbi-monthlywebinarsorganizedbyuseofanemaillistserverandaninteractivewebsite,inadditiontoanannualphysicalmeetingin2017and2018.147TheMARSgroupholdsonephysicalmeetingperyear,andholdsonlinewebexmeetingstoconferregardingtopicsfordiscussionatthephysicalmeeting.TheresultsachievedineachthematicareahavebeendiscussedinSection5.2.1andelsewhere.Therefore,itwouldseemthatWorkingParty6isachievingresultsforrelativelylittlefundsandstafftime,148andefficientuseofstrategicpartnerships,webinars,virtualevents,andleveragingexistingin-personmeetings.

5.3.2 Aretheresufficientresourcestoachievetheintendedoutcomes?Aperceivedlackofsufficientfundsandhumanresourceswasastrongthemewhichemergedfromthekeyinformantinterviews,withseveralintervieweesrecommendinganincreaseinthenumberofstaffworkingattheSecretariatservicingWorkingParty6.ManykeyinformantsnotedthatapartfromtheSecretariat,therearenofundsavailableforparticipationinWorkingParty6advisorybodies(alsoseecommentselsewhereregardingthissimilarsituationforotherUNECEWorkingPartyadvisorybodies),suchastheGroupofExpertsonMarketSurveillance(MARSGroup),theGroupofExpertsonRiskManagement,theSTARTteam(StandardisationandRegulatoryTechniques),ortheSTARTinitiativeonEducationonStandardisation.Theyobservedthatallmembers,apartfromSecretariatstaff,areessentiallyvolunteerstaffwhodotheworkofthesebodiesprobonoandmeetanyoutofpocketexpensesfromtheirownresources,withmanymembersreceivingnosupportfromanyotherorganization.TheynotedthatthislimitsthevarietyofexpertswillingorabletoparticipateintheactivitiesoftheWorkingParty.ThisshouldbeviewedagainstthebackgroundthatthisisalsohowmostUNECEbodieswork.WhilstitistruethatsomeUNECEbodieshaveextra-budgetaryresources(i)tofinanceparticipationbysomememberStatesand(ii)thatarededicatedtohiringconsultantsforpreparationsofdraftsfordiscussion,WorkingParty6doesnothavesuchresources,butcouldmobiliseresources.Thedocumentreviewalsosupportsthefindingthatthereareinsufficientfinancialresources.Forexample,aparticipanttotheAnnualMeetingofWorkingParty6in2018calledattentionto

146https://www.unece.org/index.php?id=50934147EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciessession,ProgressreportontheactivitiesoftheGroupofExpertson“ManagingRisksinRegulatorySystems”,11September2019,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2019/7.148Bywayofcomparison,WorkingParty7has5annualintergovernmentalmeetingsinGeneva(theWorkingParty7itself,andeachofthefourspecializedsectionshaveone.TheSteeringCommitteehasoneannualsessionandWorkingParty6hasoneannualsession.AstherehasnotbeenaP3officerinWorkingParty6foralmost2years,thishasbeentoppedupwithashareoftheP2officer,sharedbythemarketaccesssectionandthetradefacilitationsection(40%tradefacilitation,40%marketaccesssection,20%budgetandcommunications.

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thelackoffinancialresources,limitingtheabilityofLatinAmericancountriestoengageinstandardsdevelopmentprocesses.149Thesurveyfoundthat33%surveyrespondentsthoughtthattherewereinsufficientresourcestoachievetheintendedoutcomes.AdiscussionregardingtheexpensivenatureofparticipationinstandardsprocessesmaybefoundatSection5.5.2.AdditionalregularbudgetresourcescouldonlyderivefromanewUnitedNationsGeneralAssemblymandate,whichisunlikely,orfrominternalredeploymentswithinUNECE(suchasthereallocationofresourceswithintheSection),whichmayalsobeunlikelygiventhebudgetaryconstraintsaffectingallofitssubprogrammes.

5.4 SustainabilitySustainability:Likelihoodthatthebenefitsoftheprojectwillcontinueinthefuture.

5.4.1 Whatisthelikelihoodthatbenefitsofthenormativeworkwillcontinueaftercompletionandwithoutoverburdeningpartnerinstitutions?TherearetenpublicationsproducedthroughtheworkofWorkingParty6duringtheperiodunderreviewwhichwillcontributebenefitsofthenormativeworkwithoutoverburdeningpartnerinstitutions:1.StandardsfortheSDGs20182.DeclarationforGenderResponsiveStandardsandStandardsDevelopment20183.BringingStandardisationinUniversityCurricula20184.TrainingGuideonRegulatoryFrameworksandMarketSurveillance20185.UNECEWorkonRiskManagementinRegulatorySystemsandPublicAdministrations6.InternationalRegulatoryCooperation:thecaseoftheUnitedNationsEconomicCommissionforEurope20167.StandardsforDisasterRiskReduction20158.StandardsandNormativeMechanismsforDisasterRiskReduction9.ResiliencetoDisastersforSustainableDevelopment201510RecommendationsonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies2015.150Keyinformantsreportedwidespreaduseofseveralpublications,inparticular,StandardsfortheSDGs,DeclarationforGenderResponsiveStandardsandStandardsDevelopment,andTrainingGuideonRegulatoryFrameworksandMarketSurveillance.Onekeyinformantnotedthatwhilstthepublicationsareavailableforuse,somearenoteasytousewithoutassistance,astheyaretechnicalpublicationsnotmeantforjustreadingbutforactualimplementation,whichisoftendifficultifthisisnotintegratedinaworkshoporcapacitybuildingactivity.WorkingParty6hasbeentryingtoraisefundstoengageintechnicalassistanceactivities.151However,theaimofpublicationsistoinspirepolicymakersinhowstandardscanbeusedinregulationindifferentjurisdictions.Thisprovidesguidanceonhowstandardsareused,howtousestandardsin

149EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,ReportofWorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesonitstwentyeighthsession,6December2018,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2018/2.150http://www.unece.org/tradewelcome/tradepublications/wp6.html151Althoughsomefundraisingeffortshavebeensuccessful,asdiscussedelsewhereinthisreport,notallhavebeensuccessful.Forexample,taking2018asanexampleofatypicalyear,theSecretariatpreparedthefollowingproposalsin2018:(i)UNDA–notsuccessful;(ii)Proposalfortheprivatecompany“Tableau”onsupportfortheStandardsfortheSDGsPortal-–notsuccessful;(iii)ProposalonGenderResponsiveStandards(differentversionspreparedforIsraelandrepresentativesoftheprivatesector)–notsuccessful;(iv)ProposalonstandardsforSDGs(phase1)successful;(v)ProposalonKyrgyzstan–phase2(notsuccessful).

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practiceinagivencountryorregion,andanexplicitsetoftoolsfordoingso,whichcanbereferencedinregulationsorreadbyregulators.Thepublicationsshowcaseuniqueresearchwhichstraddlebothpolicymakingontheonesideandmoreindepthanalyticalworkontheother.Moreover,fiveRecommendationswereeitherdevelopedoramendedbyWorkingParty6from2015-2018,asdiscussedelsewhereinthisreport.KeyinformantsnotedthatregulatorsworldwiderefertotheseRecommendations,andregulatoryactionsareinspiredbysuchRecommendations.152WorkingParty6hasdevelopedabodyofbestpractice–recommendations,publications,guidelines,commonregulatoryobjectives-inallitsthematicareas,153andthisisreferencedbyregulatorypractice.154Thevastmajorityofsurveyrespondents(93%)saidthatitwaseitherlikelyorhighlylikelythatthebenefitsofthenormativeworkwouldcontinue,with89%statingthatthiswouldnotoverburdentheirorganization.Somekeyinformantsagreedthatthebenefitsofnormativeworkwouldcontinue,withonekeyinformantpointingoutthatinternationalstandardizationactivitieshavebeensuccessfullyembeddedassolutionsinregulatoryframeworks,andthatthenotionofcitingstandardsinregulatoryinstrumentsinalongestablishedpractice.However,otherkeyinformantsthoughtthatbeneficiariesneedfurthersupporttoimplementWorkingParty6bestpracticeandrecommendations.Extra-budgetaryfundraisingundertakenbytheSecretariattoaddressthesegapsisdiscussedaboveunder“Efficiency”.Othersnotedthatitwouldbechallengingtoinvolvewomeninstandardswork,asexpertgroupsarelargelymaleandittakestimetochangeattitudes.Othersspokeofthegradualnatureofchange,givingtheexampleofafemaleminerneedingtohaveherprotectiveequipmentadjustedforherasawoman.Thisprocesswouldnotbeoverburdeningthoughasitisanendemicpartoftheprocess.However,theypointedtoindicatorsofimplementationofthenormativework,includingGenderActionPlans,andtheJointInitiativeforStandardisationintheEU,whosesignatoriesincludedatleast33%women’sorganisations.

5.4.2 Towhatextentdopartnersandbeneficiariesparticipateinand"own"theoutcomesofthework?TherewaslowparticipationofpartnersandbeneficiariesatannualmeetingsandatregularmeetingsofWorkingParty6groups.Forinstance,eachannualmeetingoftheWorkingPartywasattendedbyalowpercentageofstakeholdersincludingUNECEmemberStates,155Non-UNECEmemberStates,156representativesoftheEuropeanCommission,UNbodies,157

152Forexamplesofcountrieswherethishashappened,pleaseseesections5.5.3and5.5.4.153Whichishousedinareadilyaccessibleelectronicplatform:TheportalonStandardsforSDGshttps://standards4sdgs.unece.org/launchedon14October2019.154Pleaseseesection5.1.1.155RegularattendancebyBelarus,Canada,theCzechRepublic,Germany,Poland,theRussianFederation,Serbia,Slovakia,Sweden,Turkey,Ukraine,andtheUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland.50%attendancebyCroatia,Ireland,Israel,TheRepublicofMoldova,TheNetherlands,Norway,Switzerland,andtheUnitedStatesofAmerica.156RegularattendancebyChina.50%attendancebyCameroon,Kenya,Mexico,RepublicofKorea.Attendanceatoneannualmeetingby:Australia,Brazil,DemocraticRepublicoftheCongo,Djibouti,Ethiopia,Ghana,IslamicRepublicofIran,Malaysia,Mozambique,Paraguay,SaudiArabia,SouthAfrica,Eswatini,TrinidadandTobago,Uganda,andtheUnitedArabEmirates.157RegularattendancebytheUnitedNationsConferenceforTradeandDevelopment(UNCTAD),InternationalTradeCentre(ITC),InternationalTelecommunicationsUnion(ITU),WorldTradeOrganisation(WTO).AttendanceatoneannualmeetingbyCodexAlimentariusCommission,FoodandAgricultureOrganization(FAO),InternationalSustainableEnergyOrganization(ISEO),UnitedNationsCentreforTradeFacilitationandElectronicBusiness(UN/CEFACT),UnitedNationsInterimAdministrationMissioninKosovo(UNMIK),UnitedNationsIndustrialOrganization(UNIDO),UnitedNationsInstituteforTraining&Research(UNITAR),UnitedNationsOfficeforProjectServices(UNOPS),UnitedNationsOfficefortheCoordinationofHumanitarianAffairs(OCHA),UnitedNations

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intergovernmentalandnon-governmentalorganisations,includingstandardsorganisations,158andobservers,includingrepresentativesofprivate-sectorcompanies,associations,universitiesandcivil-societyorganisationsfromvariousregionsoftheworld.Moreover,participationatthefollowingadvisorygroupmeetingswaslow:• GroupofExpertson“ManagingRisksinRegulatorySystems”

TheGroupofExpertshasaChairpersonandtwoCoordinatorsand20activemembers.Ithasabroadanddiversifiedmembership,withrepresentationofdifferentgeographicalandeconomicregions,aswellasofdifferentareasofcompetenceandend-users’interest.159• AdvisoryGrouponMarketSurveillance(MARS)

TheAdvisoryGrouphasaChairpersonandaround18expertsfromsevenUNECEmemberStates.TheEuropeanCommissionandthesecretariatoftheEurasianEconomicCommissionalsoattend.Individualexpertsalsoattendintheirowncapacity.160AveragenumbersofparticipantsatMARSmeetingsduringtheperiodunderreviewhasbeen34.• GenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative

TheGenderResponsiveStandardsinitiativeisservicedbytheUNECEsecretariat,incooperationwithtwoCoordinators.161In2017,theinitiativeheldafirstphysicalmeetinginApril,followedbyfiveonlinemeetings,whereparticipantsexchangedinformationandbestpractice.162In2018,theinitiativeheldfourmeetingson25January,26March,27Apriland8June.163Thefirstphysicalmeetinghadlowattendancebyrepresentativesof10standardsorganizations,164threememberStates,165anonmemberStategovernmentagency,166andvariousUNbodies.167Participationatfouronlinemeetingswasalsolow.168However,itshouldbenotedthat

SystemJointInspectionUnit.158RegularattendancebyEuropeanCommitteeforStandardization(CEN),EuropeanCommitteeforStandardizationinElectricalEngineering(CENELEC),EurasianEconomicCommission(EEC),InternationalElectrotechnicalCommission,InternationalLaboratoryAccreditationCo-operation(ILAC),InternationalOrganizationforStandardization(ISO),RussianUnionofIndustrialistsandEntrepreneurs(RSPP).50%attendancebyOrganisationforEconomicCo-OperationandDevelopment(OECD),AssociationsofEurope,MiddleEast&Africa(EMEA)ofEaton,InternationalCentreforTradeandSustainableDevelopment(ICTSD),InternationalSustainableEnergyOrganisation(ISEO),WorldBusinessCouncilForSustainableDevelopment(WBCSD).159EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesSession,“ProgressreportontheactivitiesoftheGroupofExpertson“ManagingRisksinRegulatorySystems””,7September2018,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2018/4.160EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesSession,“ReportoftheAdvisoryGrouponMarketSurveillanceonitsactivitiesandthesixteenthmeetinginGeneva”,14-16November2018,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2018/13.161EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesSession,“ProgressReportontheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative”,14-16November2018,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2018/3/Rev.1.162EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesSession,“ProgressReportontheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative”,14-16November2018,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2018/3/Rev.1.163EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesSession,“Genderinformedstandardsandtechnicalregulations”,28-30November2017,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2017/4.164AssociationdesEtatsGénérauxdesEtudiantsdel'Europe,BritishStandardsInstitution(BSI),DRRDynamics,EDGECertifiedFoundation,GenderandMineActionProgramme,theInstituteforStandardizationofMoldova,theInternationalElectrotechnicalCommission(IEC),InternationalGenderChampions&Women@theTable,theInternationalOrganisationforStandardization,theISO/TC68/SC4dealingwithfinancialservices,theSwedishStandardsInstitute.165PermanentMissionofFrancetotheUNOfficeGeneva,PermanentMissionofSwedentotheUNOfficeGeneva,PermanentMissionofRomaniatotheUNOfficeGeneva.166WorkSafeNewZealand.167EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesSession,“Genderinformedstandardsandtechnicalregulations”,28-30November2017,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2017/4.TheInternationalTelecommunicationUnion(ITU),theInternationalTradeCentre(ITC),theUnitedNationsEconomicCommissionforEurope(UNECE),UNAIDS,UNICEF,WorldMeteorologicalOrganisation(WMO).168EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesSession,“Genderinformedstandardsandtechnicalregulations”,28-30November2017,

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participationtothesigningoftheDeclarationin2019wasgood,with56signatories.169

However,keyinformantsthoughtthatwhilstparticipationwasquitelowatannualmeetingsandwebinars,engagementinbetweenmeetingsisevenmoredifficult.Theynotedthatparticipationmaybelimitedbyavailabilityoftimeandfinancialresourcesofparticipants,whodothingsprobonoandinvestownfunds.170Alsomanycountriesfaceconstraintsinattendanceduetolimitedtravelresources.Participationalsolimitedbyworkinglanguages.ItwasnotedthatthesearestandardlimitationsforUNECEworkingpartiesandcommittees.Anotableexceptionisthehighparticipationinthe“StandardsfortheSDGs”eventthatwasco-organizedbyWorkingParty6andISOon26September2018.Thenumberofregisteredparticipantswas686.171Therewere214participantsfromUNECEcountries,310participantsfromnon-UNECEcountriesand162frominternationalorganizations.Intermsofcountries,128

ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2017/4.ParticipantsatthemeetingswerefromAmsterdamRoyalInstitute(theNetherlands),AssociationRéseauNormalisationetFrancophonie(RFN),ASTMInternational,BritishStandardsInstitution(BSI),DRRDynamics(UnitedKingdom),EDGECertifiedFoundation(Switzerland),theEuropeanCommission,FederationUniversity(Australia),InternationalElectrotechnicalCommission(IEC),InternationalGenderChampions&Woman@theTable(NGOinGeneva),InternationalOrganizationforStandardization(ISO),theISO/TC68dealingwithfinancialservices,NZWorkSafe(NewZealand),OSCEGenderSection,SwedishStandardsInstitute,UNAIDSSecretariat,UniversityofManchester(UnitedKingdom)andUNWOMEN.169TheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativemetincredibleresistanceinthebeginningasmoststandardsbodieswereoftheopinionthatstandardswerebydefinitiongenderneutral(whichtheyarenot).Thegrowthinparticipationhasbeenincreasing,withbetterattendanceatthe2019physicalmeeting,althoughthisisoutsidetheperiodofreview.170SeeabovecommentsregardingsimilarsituationinotherUNECEWorkingParties.171Theattendancewasmuchhigher,butafewdayspriortotheevent,ISOclosedregistrations,andpeoplewerewelcomeonthegothatday,sincethismuchoutnumberedexpectations.

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participated,with48UNECEcountriesand80non-UNECEcountries.172Overall,67%ofsurveyrespondentsthoughttherewasgoodownershipbypartnersandbeneficiariesoftheoutcomesofthework.48%ofsurveyrespondentsthoughttherewasmediumownershipbypartnersandbeneficiariesoftheoutcomesofthework,andanother19%thoughttherewashighownership.Keyinformantsagreed,statingthatownershipisdemonstratedbyWorkingPartyactivitieswhichareagreedtobythememberStates,participantsandstakeholders.Recommendationsaredeveloped,presentedattheannualWorkingPartymeeting,presentationsaremade,commentssolicitedanddebated,theneveryonevotesonitsadoption.Overall,partnersandbeneficiariesparticipatetoalowextentandmemberStatesowntheoutcomesoftheworktoamediumtohighextent.

5.5 ImpactImpact:Thepositiveandnegativechangesproducedbyadevelopmentintervention,directlyorindirectly,intendedorunintended.

5.5.1 TowhatextenthastheworkcontributedtoimpactattheUNECElevel?WorkingParty6hasproducedpositivechangesforUNECE.Overhalfthesurveyrespondents(54%)thoughtthattheworkofWorkingParty6hascontributedtoamoderateextenttoimpactattheUNECElevel.Nearlyathirdofsurveyrespondents(31%)thoughtthattheworkcontributedtoasignificantextenttoimpactatUNECElevel.Takentogether,alargemajority(85%)ofsurveyrespondentsagreedthatWorkingParty6hasmadeapositivecontributiontoimpactatUNECElevel.KeyinformantsthoughtthatWorkingParty6’sworkinGenderandStandardshasmadeapositiveimpactinUNECE,contributingtogendermainstreaminginareasofworkthattendtobeperceivedasirrelevantforgenderequality,suchasstandardsdevelopment.173TheDeclarationforGenderResponsiveStandardsandStandardsDevelopmenthasalsoservedasabestpracticeexampleforothersub-programmesofUNECEandprovidesahelpfultoolforuseinallotherUNECEstandardsbodies.KeyinformantsalsonotedthatWorkingParty6’sworkonStandardsandtheSDGshasmadeapositiveimpactinUNECE,insupportingachievementoffiveofUNECE’sfocusSDGs,174namelySDG5ongenderequality,SDG6oncleanwater,SDG7oncleanenergy,SDG11onsustainablecitiesandcommunities,andSDG13onclimateaction.TheworkofWorkingParty6ongenderequalityhasbeenexplainedabove.Also,WorkingParty6published“StandardsfortheSustainableDevelopmentGoals”in2018,whichprovidesanoverviewofhowinternationalstandardsareusedbypolicymakerstosupportsustainabilityandtheachievementoftheSDGs.ThecasestudieshelptoillustratetoUNECEcolleaguesinothersub-programmesthevalueofstandardsindifferentareasofwork,e.g.water,energy,climatechange.175172Somepercentages:Africa:36%;Asia:34%;Caribbean/SouthAmerica:12%;MiddleEast:11%;Oceania:7%.173Forexample,intheareasofwater,energy,sustainablecitiesandcommunities,andclimateaction.174http://www.unece.org/sustainable-development/sdg-priorities.html175ThisisakeyUNECEmandatedareaofwork–todevelopnormativelegalandstandardsinstruments.Thevalueiswellknown.UNECEhostsmanystandardsbodiesCEFACT,WP7,WP29.etc.WP.6isnotitselfastandardsmakingbodybutdevelopsbestpracticeontheuseofstandardsforpolicymaking.Thevolume”StandardsfortheSDGs”providesevidencethatnationalandlocaladministrationsareinsufficientlyawareofstandardsasatoolforpolicymakingandveryill-equippedtoactuallymakeuseofthem.Inthissituationanumberofregulatorsdevelophome-grownregulatoryframeworksthataresub-optimalastheydonottakeadvantageoftheexpertiseembodiedinthestandard.Additionally,regulatorymeasuresthatcontradictthoseappliedinapartnercountryinevitablygeneratetechnicalbarrierstotrade.

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OtherkeyinformantshighlightedthepositiveimpactforUNECEintermsofincreasedvisibilityandrelevance.TheworkofWorkingParty6haseffectivelyelevatedUNECEtothelevelofbigorganisationsthatworkinstandardization,suchasISOandCEN-CENELEC,IECandITU.Itisperceivedasakeyplayerininternationalstandardization.176Moreover,thevisibilityoftheGender-ResponsiveStandardsInitiativehasbeensteadilyincreasingattheinternationallevel.177Thisisconfirmedby:a)TheInternationalGenderChampions2017AnnualReportfeaturedtheinitiativetomainstreamgenderintoitscoreactivitiesandreferredtothePledgeforActiononGender-ResponsiveStandardsasadocumentcontainingexamplesofcommitmentsstandard-settingbodiescanmake;b)InMarch2018,theAmericanSocietyforTestingandMaterialspublishedaspecial-themedissueofitsmagazine,StandardizationNews,devotedtoWomeninStandards,andfeaturinganinterviewoftheSecretaryofWorkingParty6;c)InApril2018,aprofessorofthePolitecnicoofPortomadeaposterpresentationabouttheUNECEGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativeattheInternationalConferenceonGenderResearch(ICGR2018);d)AttheJune2018meetingoftheWorldTradeOrganization’sCommitteeonTechnicalBarrierstoTrade,theCanadiandelegation,aspartoftheirProgressiveTradeAgenda,submittedarecommendationthattheEightTriennialReviewincludeaworkshoporthematicsessionontheroleofgenderinthedevelopmentofstandardsandtechnicalregulations,toencourageanexchangeofexperiencesamongstandardsdevelopmentorganizations,andtodiscussongoinginitiativestoachievegenderequalityinstandardsetting;ande)theSecretaryoftheWorkingPartymadeseveralpresentationsabouttheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative,includingattheAnnualGeneralAssemblyoftheRéseauNormalisationetFrancophonieandataneventorganizedbytheInternationalCentreforTradeandSustainableDevelopmenton2November2018onGenderingSPSandTBTrulesfordevelopment.178

5.5.2 Whatnegativeimpacthasthenormativeworkproduced,directlyorindirectly,intendedorunintended?Thevastmajority(96%)ofsurveyrespondentsthoughtthatthenormativeworkofWorkingParty6hasnotproducedanynegativeimpact,whetherdirectly,indirectly,intendedorunintended.Mostkeyinformantsagreed.Onekeyinformantnotedthatonepotentialnegativeimpactisdrivingupcostsforcompliance,suchasforgenderinclusivestandards.However,anotherkeyinformantexplainedthatstandardsfromprivatestandardsorganisationstendtobe“userpays”,meaningthatcountrieshavetopaytobepartofastandardizationorganization,soiftheywanttoparticipateinthecreationofstandards,orusethestandards,youhavetopay.Thedeskreviewalsohighlightedthe“userpays”financingmodelofstandardsorganisations.ArepresentativeoftheInternationalElectrotechnicalCommission(IEC),theinternationalstandardsandconformityassessmentbodyforallfieldsofelectrotechnology,explainedattheAnnualMeetingofWorkingParty6in2015thatstandardsorganisationsdependonthesalesofstandardstofinancetheir

176Asevidencedbykeyinformantsfromarangeoforganisations.177EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesSession,“ProgressReportontheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative”,14-16November2018,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2018/3/Rev.1.178EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesSession,“ProgressReportontheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative”,14-16November2018,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2018/3/Rev.1.

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activities.179RepresentativesofIECandISOexplainedattheAnnualMeetingofWorkingParty6in2017thatthefundingoftheirorganisationsispartiallybasedonroyaltiesfromstandards,andthatthismodeloffinancingisasustainablemodeltoensurethedevelopmentofhighqualitystandards.180The“userpays”fundingmodelputspoorercountriesatadisadvantagetocompeteininternationaltrade.ThiskeyinformantnotedthatUNECE’snormativework(i.e.Recommendations)isfreeofcharge.

5.5.3 HavetheoutcomesofWP6ledtonewpoliciesorpolicychangesinthememberStates?Thedeskreview,keyinformantinterviews,andsurveyallfoundthattheoutcomesofWorkingParty6haveledtonewpoliciesorpolicychangesinUNECEmemberStates.Thesurveyfoundthat37%ofsurveyrespondentsthoughtthattheoutcomesofWorkingParty6haveledtonewpoliciesorpolicychangesintheircountryororganization.Examplescitedincludegenderequalitypolicies,promotionofgenderbalancedtechnicalcommittees,anewmarketsurveillanceapproach,newlawsinfieldofstandardizationandconformityassessment,useofriskmanagementapproachesinclimatechangework,revisionoflegislation,applicationofWorkingParty6policiesinregionalorganisations,changesinapproachesinownorganizationandpartnerinstitutions.Thesurveyalsofoundthat52%ofrespondentsthoughtthatbestpracticedevelopedbyWorkingParty6ledtoanewinitiativebeinglaunched;30%thoughtthatithadledtoareferenceinalegislativeoradministrativeact;0.4%thoughtthatithadledtoorganizationalchangesinadepartment;and0.9%thoughtthatithadledtootheroutcomes.Respondentsgaveexamplesinstandardization,genderresponsivestandards,marketsurveillance,riskmanagement,SDG14onlifebelowwater,181andSDG13onclimatechange.Thedeskreview,andkeyinformantinterviewsillustratedthatoutcomesofWorkingParty6haveledtonewpoliciesorpolicychangesinmemberStatesinthefollowingthematicareas:marketsurveillance,regulatorycooperation,genderresponsivestandards,andequipmentforexplosiveenvironments.

(a) MarketsurveillanceRecommendationSonApplyingPredictiveRiskManagementToolsforTargetedMarketSurveillance,adoptedin2016,emphasisestheimportanceofapplyingpredictiveriskassessmenttoolsforplanningtheactivitiesofmarketsurveillanceandcomplianceauthorities.182TheriskbasedapproachtoenforcementbasedonRecommendationShasbeenadoptedbyatleasteightUNECEmemberStates.183Forexample,theNationalSerbianMarketSurveillancePlanincludestheapplicationofpredictivemanagementtools,andappliesRecommendationSatthenationallevel.Moreover,theSerbianMarketSurveillanceAuthorityhasupdateditsprocedures

179EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,ReportofWorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesonitstwentyfifthsession,24December2015,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2015/2.180EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,ReportofWorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesonitstwentyseventhsession,15December2017,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2017/2.181Notethatthisisnotoneofthe11SDGfocusgoalsforUNECE.182RecommendationS,ApplyingPredictiveRiskManagementToolsforTargetedMarketSurveillance,UNECE,2016.183IncludingmemberStatesoftheUNECE(Armenia,Belarus,Israel,Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan,RussianFederation,Serbia,UnitedStatesofAmerica),andbeyond(Brazil).

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basedonRecommendationS.184SerbiahasfoundRecommendationSsouseful,itsMinistryofTradehassharedthispositiveexperiencewithothermemberStatesincludingtheCzechRepublic,Latvia,SwedenandTurkey.Additionally,theEurasianEconomicCommissionbuiltitsapproachtorisk-basedinspectionson“RecommendationS”on“ApplyingPredictiveRiskManagementToolsforTargetedMarketSurveillance.185

(b) RegulatorycooperationRecommendationL–InternationalModelforTransnationalRegulatoryCooperationBasedonGoodRegulatoryPractice-providesavoluntaryframeworkforregulatorycooperationthatfacilitatesmarketaccessthroughtheuseofgoodregulatorypracticeandoptionsforestablishmentofsectoralarrangementsbetweeninterestedUNmembercountries.186RecommendationLwasrevisedin2015toeasebarrierstotradethroughtheharmonizationoftraderegulationsandstandards.187TheInternationalModelonRegulatoryHarmonization,ascontainedintheUNECEWorkingParty6RecommendationL,isusedbytheCommonwealthofIndependentStates(CIS)InterstateCouncilforStandardization,MetrologyandCertification(EASC)asabasisforregulatoryharmonization.188Moreover,thedeliverablesoftheworkoftheUNECEWorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardizationPoliciescontinuetobereferencedworldwidebygovernmentauthorities,internationalorganizationsandthebusinesscommunity.189Inparticular,theCustomsUnionofBelarus,KazakhstanandtheRussianFederationhasexplicitlyreferredtotheuseofRecommendationL(InternationalModelforTransnationalRegulatoryCooperationBasedonGoodRegulatoryPractice).190

(c) GenderresponsivestandardsRecommendationUonGenderResponsiveStandards,adoptedin2018,aimsatimprovinggenderbalanceinstandardsdevelopmentandseekstoensurethatthecontentandimpactofstandardswhenimplementedaregenderresponsive.Oneofthewaysinwhichitseekstomakethestandardsdevelopmentprocessgenderresponsiveisbycreatingandproactivelyimplementingagenderactionplanfororganisations.191Inresponsetothis,192theStandardsCouncilofCanadahasdevelopedandpublisheditsGenderandStandardisationStrategy2019-2025,togetherwithanActionPlanforGenderResponsiveStandardsandGenderBalanceinStandardsDevelopment.193Moreover,in2019Sweden’sMinistryofForeignAffairsissuedits

184EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,“ReportoftheAdvisoryGrouponMarketSurveillance,itsactivitiesanditsmeetings,6September2019,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2019/13.185EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,ECE/CTCS/2019/8,28-29May2019,Geneva.186RecommendationL–InternationalModelforTransnationalRegulatoryCooperationBasedonGoodRegulatoryPractice,UNECE,adoptedin2001,reviewedin2015.187ProgrammeperformancereportoftheUnitedNationsforthebiennium2014-2015,ReportoftheSecretary-General,22March2016,A/71/75.188EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,ECE/CTCS/2019/8,28-29May2019,Geneva.189Asshownbyexamplescitedthroughoutthisdocument.190ProgrammeperformancereportoftheUnitedNationsforthebiennium2014-2015,ReportoftheSecretary-General,22March2016,A/71/75.191RecommendationU,GenderResponsiveStandards,UNECE,2018.192Pleaseseehttps://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2019/ECE_CTCS_WP.6_2019_6E.pdf;https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2019/PPTs_AnnualSession/21am_4_Gabrielle_White_SCC_Gender-strategy.pdf;https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2019/PPTs_AnnualSession/21am_2_Deborah_Wautier_CEN_CLC_Gender_Action_Plan_-_Survey_results_and_analysis.pdf;https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2019/21am_5_Noelia_Garcia_Nebra.pdf193https://www.scc.ca/en/about-scc/publications/other-publications/gender-and-standardization-strategy

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“FeministTradePolicy”,explainingthatSwedenhasthefirstfeministgovernmentintheworld,meaningthatgenderequalityiscentraltotheGovernment’spriorities.Inresponsetothefactthattradepolicytodaybenefitsmenmorethanwomen,theSwedishGovernment’sFeministTradePolicyincludessixfocusareastoensurethattradepolicybenefitsmenandwomenequally.OneofSweden’sfocusareasisgender-responsivestandards,withthepolicynotingthataUSstudyhasfoundthatwomenintheUSwere47%morelikelythanmentosuffersevereinjuriesincarcrashesbecausesafetyfeaturesaredesignedformen.194

(d) EquipmentforExplosiveEnvironmentsFacilitiessuchasmines,refineries,chemicalplantsandmillsexposetheirworkersandthesurroundingenvironmenttohighrisks.Tominimizetheserisksandcontaintheirpotentialconsequences,allequipmentusedintheseenvironmentsneedstobedesigned,installed,maintainedandrepairedinsuchawayastoavoidtheriskofexplosions.ThegoaloftheWorkingParty6sectoralinitiativeonEquipmentforExplosiveEnvironmentsistopromoteandincreasesafety,whileatthesametimeeliminatingbarrierstothefreetradeanduseoftheequipment.WorkingParty6revisedtheCommonRegulatoryArrangementsin2018toincorporatetheupdatedUNECEInternationalModel,therequirementthatconformityassessmentshoulddemonstratetheircompetencebyparticipationinproficiencytestingprogrammesandtherecommendationthatindependentcertificationbodiessupportmarketsurveillance.TheworkresultedindetailedguidelinesformarketsurveillanceauthoritiesresponsibleforequipmentusedinExplosiveEnvironments(HazardousLocations).Sincethesectoralinitiativewasfirstestablished,ithasworkedinclosecooperationwiththeIECSystemforCertificationtoStandardsRelatingtoEquipmentforUseinExplosiveAtmospheres(IECEx)topromotethebestpracticedevelopedbytheUNECEsectoralinitiativetoregulatorsaroundtheworld.195Thisinternationalbenchmarkisusedinmorethan30countriesincludingUNECEmemberStatesCanada,someEuropeancountries,UK,andtheUSA.196

5.5.4 Havethestandardsproducedbeenusedbyothercountriesoutsideoftheregion?ThissectionwillanalysewhethercountriesoutsideoftheEuroperegionhaveusedtheRecommendationsandotherdeliverablesofWorkingParty6.WorkingParty6doesnotdevelopstandards;thisisthedomainofinternational,regionalandnationalstandardsbodies.Rather,WorkingParty6developsandadoptsRecommendationstoaddressstandardizationandregulatoryissues.TheseRecommendationssetoutgoodpracticeregardingregulatorycooperation,riskmanagement,marketsurveillance,conformityassessment,standardsandnorms,metrology,genderinclusivestandardsandotherpertinentareas.TheRecommendationsarenotbindinganddonotaimatrigidlyaligningtechnicalregulationsacrosscountries.ThroughtheseRecommendations,WorkingParty6encouragesrulemakerstobasetheirregulationsoninternationalstandardstoprovideacommondenominatortothenormsthatapplyindifferentmarkets.Italsoseekstopromoteagreementsthatenhancecooperationandmutualconfidenceinthetechnicalcompetence,reliabilityandimpartialityofothernationalbodiesandinstitutions.ThedeliverablesofWorkingParty6continuetobereferencedworldwidebygovernment

194https://www.government.se/4a4f76/contentassets/34acefd857de4032ad103f932866e7bb/feminist-trade-policy.pdf195EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,ReportonthesectoralinitiativeonEquipmentforExplosiveEnvironments,9September2019,ECE/CTCS/2019/11.196https://www.taitradioacademy.com/topic/global-explosive-atmosphere-regulations-1/

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authorities,internationalorganizationsandthebusinesscommunity.Somebriefexamplesillustratethis.

(a) RegulatoryCooperationInregulatorycooperation,NewZealandhasexplicitlyreferredtotheuseofRecommendationL(InternationalModelforTransnationalRegulatoryCooperationBasedonGoodRegulatoryPractice).201TheDirector-GeneralforMeteringattheNationalHydrocarbonsCommissionofMexicoprovidedspecificexamplesofstandardsuptakeinregulatorysystems,includingtheuseoftheUnitedNationsFrameworkClassificationforResources,aimedatclassifyingoilandgasprojectsbyconsideringtheirsocial,economicandenvironmentalimpact.Standardswereacomplementtocompulsoryregulationsandallowedadministrationstobuildonexistingbestpracticeandavoidduplicationofactivities.202

(b) GenderinclusivestandardsWorkingParty6deliverablesregardinggenderinclusivestandardshavebeenpromotedbycountriesoutsideoftheEuroperegion,suchasNewZealand,andinAsianandAfricancountries.Forexample,WorksafeNewZealand,thegovernment’soccupationalsafetyandhealthagency,mitigatesgenderbiasinstandardizationbyscreeningforunintendedgenderimpacts,includinginenergysafety.203NewZealandhasseveralregulatorsworkinginthemaledominatedelectricalsectorwhoencouragedthenationalstandardsbody,StandardsNewZealand,toimplementtheGenderPledge,andcarriedoutgendertrainingfortheelectro-technicalcommitteemembers.204APEC(AsiaPacificEconomicCooperation)developedatooltoanalysegenderimplicationsoftechnicalregulationsin2018.205RéseauNormalisationetFrancophoniehasbeenimplementingaprojectaimedatensuringbetterintegrationofwomenandgirlsintotheformaleconomythroughusageanduptakeofstandardsinthefollowingFrench-speakingcountriesintheMiddleEast,AfricaandtheCaribbean:Benin,BurkinaFaso,Burundi,Cameroon,DemocraticRepublicofCongo,Gabon,Guinea-Bissau,Haiti,IvoryCoast,Lebanon,Madagascar,Mali,Mauritius,Morocco,Niger,Senegal,Seychelles,Togo,andTunisia.206SeveralsurveyrespondentsfromoutsideofEuropenotedthatbestpracticedevelopedbyWorkingParty6hadledtoanewinitiativebeinglaunchedintheirregionorcountry,includingaGenderResponsiveStandardsCharter,andagendermainstreamingpolicy.Othersreferredtopolicychangeintheircountry,includingseveralwithagenderfocus.

201ProgrammeperformancereportoftheUnitedNationsforthebiennium2014-2015,ReportoftheSecretary-General,22March2016,A/71/75.202EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesSession,“ReportofWorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPoliciesonits28thsession”,14-16November2018,ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2018/2.203WorksafeNewZealand,2017,GenderBiasinStandardisation,LucyHe.EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,ProgressreportontheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative,11September2019,ECE/CTCS/2019/6.204Keyinformantinterviews.205EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,ProgressreportontheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative,11September2019,ECE/CTCS/2019/6.Keyinformantinterview.http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/AreasOfWork/GenderInitiative/presentations/APEC_Gender_Inclusion_Guidelines.pdf206EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,ProgressreportontheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative,11September2019,ECE/CTCS/2019/6.http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/AreasOfWork/GenderInitiative/presentations/Projet_FJN_RNF_description_sommaire_19_cellules_EN.PDF

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AnotherindicatoroftheglobalimpactoftheGenderinStandardsInitiativeisthesheernumberofsignatoriestotheDeclarationfromoutsidetheEuroperegioninMay2019–outofatotalof56,overathirdofsignatoriestotheDeclaration.SomeexamplesincludesignatoriesfromstandardsbodiesandrelatedstakeholdersinAfrica,AsiaPacific,LatinAmericaandtheCaribbean,andNorthAmerica:Bolivia,Canada,Colombia,Congo,DominicanRepublic,Ecuador,Gambia,Honduras,India,Mexico,Morocco,Mozambique,NewZealand,Senegal,SouthAfrica,SaintKittsandNevis,Thailand,Togo,TrinidadandTobago,Uruguay.Thewidespreadgeographyofthesignatoriesillustratesthewide-rangingimpactoftheawarenessraisingactivitiesoftheGenderinStandardsInitiative,andmanyofthesecountrieshavedevelopedgenderactionplans,whichwillgenerateevenmoreimpactgoingforward.ThisillustrateshowWorkingParty6hasputgenderontheagendaofthestandardizationcommunityworldwide.

(c) RiskmanagementWorkingParty6recommendationsonriskmanagementandregulatoryframeworks,anditsguideexplainingtheiruseareusedbyatleast15countries,207includingthefollowingcountriesoutsideofEurope:Australia,Brazil,Malawi,NewZealand,andNigeria.208Moreover,thereareexamplesofcountriesoutsideofEuropeimplementingWorkingParty6riskmanagementrecommendationsandbestpracticeatcountrylevelincooperationwithotherorganisations,suchasinBrazil,MalawiandMongolia.209

(d) StandardsfortheSDGsThepublication“StandardsfortheSDGs”illustrateshowinternationalstandardsareusedbylocalandnationalgovernmentsinvariouscountriesoutsideofUNECE’s56memberStates,namely:(i)CleanWater–Botswana,SouthAfrica,Thailand;(ii)CleanEnergy–Brazil,Egypt,Mexico,Peru;(iii)Sustainablecitiesandcommunities–Egypt,Indonesia,USA,Zambia;(iv)ClimateAction–Africancontinent,Chile,Colombia,Ghana,Tanzania.OnesurveyrespondentfromoutsideofEuropenotedthatbestpracticedevelopedbyWorkingParty6ledtoanewinitiativebeinglaunchedintheirregionorcountry,includingoneonSDG14onLifeUnderWater.KeyinformantsnotedthattheStandardsfortheSDGsdeliverableshaveraisedawarenessamongstpolicymakersofthevalueofstandardsasatoolforsustainabledevelopment,andtheirrelevanceforachievementofthesustainabledevelopmentgoals.Likewise,thishasalsoraisedawarenessamongststandardsbodiesofthe2030Agendaandtheimportanceofvoluntarystandardstoitsrealization.ThiswasseenforexamplewhenpolicymakersfromAfricaandNorthAmericaattendedaWorkingParty6meetingwhereISOpresentedhowtheyusestandards,explainedthepotentialimpactofstandardsandstandardsmaking,andshowedpolicymakershowthiscouldbeusefulintheirwork.Inconclusion,theaboveexamplesillustratetheglobalreachofWorkingParty6’sworkandthebroaderimpactofUNECE’sworkbeyondtheUNECEregion.OnekeyinformantnotedthatintheAfricancontinentmanystandardsbodiesarenew,sotheinterestingenderresponsivestandardsisawaytofosterdevelopmentatthepolicylevel,andtotakeadvantageofbestpracticeandinternationalguidelinesinthisarea.AnotherkeyinformantnotedthatChinaisa

207Withexamplescitedthroughoutthisdocument.208Keyinformantinterview.209http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2013/PPTs/Day03-_DonaldMacrae.pdf;http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2014/D_Macrae_Mongolian_Experience_261114.pdf

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majorconsumerofstandards,andasahugemanufacturerChinalikestobeguidedbyinternationalbestpracticeandrecommendationsasithelpstheiraccesstoothermarkets.

5.5.5 Havethestandardsdevelopedhelpedtostrengthentheapplicationofgendermainstreamingprinciplesandcontributetosubstantialandmeaningfulchangesinthesituationofthemostvulnerablegroups?ThemandateoftheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativeistostrengthentheapplicationofgendermainstreamingprinciples,inparticulartomainstreamagenderperspectiveinthedevelopmentandimplementationofstandards,andinthedevelopmentandenforcementoftechnicalregulations.210ThepositiveimpactoftheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativehasbeendiscussedabove.Moreover,ithashelpedtostrengthentheapplicationofgendermainstreamingprinciplesbyraisingawarenessof(i)thelackofparticipationbywomeninstandardssettingactivities,(ii)thegenderbiasinherentinmanystandardswhichcanhaveadisproportionateeffectonwomen,and(iii)theinadequateinputofwomentothestandardsdevelopmentprocess.211Thisisimportantbecausepreviouslyitwasnotaswellknownthatwomenmakeupaverysmallshareofstandardsettingactivities.UNECEpreliminarilyestimatedthataslittleas10percentofstandardsdevelopmentexpertsarewomen.Thisaffectsthewayinwhichstandardsareproducedandthefocusofstandardizationactivitiesmorebroadly.212Onekeyinformantusedtheexampleofgenderbiasedstandardsforseatbeltsincars,whichareusuallytootallforwomen,whichcanhavesafetyramifications.43%ofsurveyrespondentsagreedthatthestandardsdevelopedhavehelpedtostrengthentheapplicationofgendermainstreamingprinciples.Reasonscitedincludetheincreasedawarenessofgenderissues,andincreaseddiscussionsonimplementationofgenderperspective.TheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativehasalsohelpedtostrengthentheapplicationofgendermainstreamingprinciplesbyencouragingstakeholderstodevelopgenderactionplansforgenderresponsivestandardsintheirregionsandcountries,asdiscussedabove.Thisisanimprovementsincebeforetherewerenogenderstrategiesatallinthestandardizationfieldandnoneofthemajorstandardssettingbodieshadeitheradoptedanofficialgenderstrategyfortheorganizationoftheirinternalactivities;orprioritizedgenderintheplanningoradaptationofitsstandardizationactivities;ordevelopedatoolfortheanalysisofexistingstandardsthroughagenderlens.213WorkingParty6hasnotedthatstandardsarenotonlyvaluableininformingmanagementdecisionsinbusiness,theyarealsokeycomponentsinthedevelopmentofcompulsoryinstruments,suchasregulations,andformthebasisforalargerangeofsocialandeconomicpolicies.Assuch,thelackofagenderlensinthedevelopmentofstandardsispoisedtoresultingenderblindsocietalchoices,whichwillresultintheirfurtherexclusionofwomen

210EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,ProgressreportontheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative,2November2018,ECE/CTCS/2018/3/Rev.1.211Pleaseseethepublicationhttps://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/Publications/ECE_TRADE_445E.pdf212EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,ProgressreportontheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative,2November2018,ECE/CTCS/2018/3/Rev.1.213EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,ProgressreportontheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative,2November2018,ECE/CTCS/2018/3/Rev.1.

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andthefurtherdecreaseintheirparticipationintheworkforce.214Inanumberoffields,standardsrepresentasubtleyetimportantbarriertotheparticipationofwomenineconomicsectorsthathavebecomedefactomale-dominated.Additionally,asallproductsandservicesaredesignedtospecificationscontainedinstandards,afailuretoexplicitlyanalyzetheneedsofthedifferentgendersmayresultinreducedusabilityoranincreasedpriceofproductsthatwouldotherwisecontributetofreeingupwomen’stime.Suchadaptation,wereittobemoresystematic,woulddecreasetheburdenofdomesticchores,enablingwomenwhoaretraditionallyresponsibleforthesetaskstoseekandretainpaidpositionsintheformalsectororpursueaformaleducation.215Infuture,potentialpositiveimpactsoftheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativecouldinclude:(i)increasingopportunitiesforwomentoworkinmaledominatedsectors,(ii)increasingwomen’svoicesinstandardsetting,therebyempoweringwomentoinfluencedecisionsthatarerelevantfortheireconomicempowerment,and(iii)increasingwomen’saccesstoeducationandemploymentthroughreductionofunpaiddomesticresponsibilities.However,itistooearlytomeasureimpactregardingsubstantialandmeaningfulchangesinthesituationofthemostvulnerablegroups.21661%ofsurveyrespondentsthoughtthatthestandardsdevelopedhavenotyetcontributedtosubstantialandmeaningfulchangesinthesituationofthemostvulnerablegroups,withmanystakeholdersnotingthatitistooearlytotell.Ofthosewhosaidyes,(39%),reasonscitedincludethepositiveimpactonloweringpovertythroughemploymentandincome,andincreasedawareness,considerationandunderstandingofsituationofvulnerablegroups.Somekeyinformantsspokeofthepotentialimpactonpersonswithdisabilities,throughpreventionofaccidentandinjuryviaRecommendationsandstandardsforwhichsafetyisacentralaim.Thepublication,“StandardsfortheSDGs”illustratesthepotentialpowerofstandardstomakeapositiveimpactonthesituationofvulnerablegroups.217Forexample,forpeoplelivingindisasterproneareas,suchasinIndonesia,theimplementationofISOstandard22327hasstrengthenedcommunityresiliencetolandslidedisastersandwasabletohelpsaveliveswhenadisasterdidoccur.In2015inAcehBesar,alandslideoccurred,buttheimplementationofthisuniversalstandardsupportedthecommunitybasedearlywarningsystemforthistypeofdisaster,ultimatelysaving100householdsinthearea.Localstakeholderswereabletoconducttheevacuationinsufficienttimeoncewarnedbytheearlywarningsystem.Thisshowedthatthestandardhadasignificantimpact,savinghumanlivesandreducingcasualties.Ithassincebecomeanimportantguidelineforthenationaldisastermanagementagency,andwasincorporatedasareferenceintotheNationalMedium-termDevelopmentPlanforReducingDisasterRisk2015-2019.218ThisillustrateshowWorkingParty6Recommendationsandbest

214EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,ProgressreportontheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative,2November2018,ECE/CTCS/2018/3/Rev.1.215EconomicCommissionforEurope,SteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards,WorkingPartyonRegulatoryCooperationandStandardisationPolicies,ProgressreportontheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative,2November2018,ECE/CTCS/2018/3/Rev.1.216BenchmarkiszeroorverylowpriortogenderandstandardsforSDGsinitiatives.Asregardsthestandardsbodiesbasedonthe“onecountryonevotemodel”(thatisapartfromvoluntarysustainabilitystandardscommunity),attentiontogenderwasnotmentionedasapriority.However,thisdoesnotmeanthatstandardswerenecessarilygenderblindbecausegoodstandardizationpracticeprescribesthatstandardsneedtobedevelopedinaninclusiveway.217UNECE(2018),StandardsfortheSustainableDevelopmentGoals,ECE/TRADE/444.218UNECE(2018),StandardsfortheSustainableDevelopmentGoals,ECE/TRADE/444.

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practices(suchasRecommendationTonStandardsandRegulationsforSustainableDevelopment,andthecompilationofbestpracticesinthepublication“StandardsfortheSDGs”haveledtoopeningupthinkingingovernmentonhowtousestandardsinpreventingandmanagingdisasters,whichleadstosavinglives,particularlythosemostexposed,marginalizedpeopleimpactedinamuchstrongerwaybydisasters.

6. ConclusionsInconclusion,regardingrelevancetheevaluationfoundthattheworkofWorkingParty6(i)hasmettheneedsthatitstargetsandbeneficiarieshaveexpressedandagreedto;(ii)isconsistentwiththemandateoftheTradesub-programmeanditsestablishedmandates;(iii)ishighlyrelevantforthebroadvarietyofpartnershipsitmaintains;(iv)theGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativeishighlyrelevantwithrespecttogenderequalityandempowermentofwomen;and(v)incorporatedtheperspectiveofvulnerablegroupsinthedesignofrecommendationswellwithrespecttowomenandpersonswithdisabilities.Regardingeffectiveness,theevaluationfoundthatWorkingParty6hasachievedpositiveoutcomesinallitsareasofintervention.WorkingParty6’seffortshaveaddedvalueinrespectofprovidinganimpartialplatformforengagement,aforumforbestpracticesinitsthematicareas,andincreasingaccessibilitytostandardsformiddleincomecountriesandcountrieswitheconomiesintransition.Challengestoachievingtheactivities’objectiveandexpectedaccomplishmentsincludedresourceconstraints,limitedparticipationofmemberStatesandotherstakeholdersandlimitedengagementbetweenmeetings,implementationandthechallengesofenforcementofvoluntarystandards,andthelackofunderstandingofvariousstakeholdersofthelinkagesbetweenstandards,sustainabledevelopment,andgenderequality.Intermsofefficiency,theevaluationfoundthattherelationshipbetweencost(intermsoffundsandtime)andresultswasreasonable,giventhebreadthofthemandate,andthenatureandvolumeofaccomplishmentscomparedtothebudgetandhumanresources.However,mindfulofthebudgetaryconstraints,itfoundthatthereareinsufficientresourcestoachievetheintendedoutcomes.Concerningsustainability,theevaluationfoundthatitwasnotlikelythatthebenefitsofthenormativeworkwouldcontinueaftercompletionandwithoutoverburdeningpartnerinstitutions.219TherewaslowparticipationofpartnersandbeneficiariesatannualmeetingsoftheWorkingPartyandatregularmeetingsofadvisorybodiesbyabroadrangeofstakeholders,includingduetolanguageandtimezonebarriersforsomeparticipants.Engagementbetweenmeetingswaschallengingduetotimeandfinancialresourcesofparticipantsandexperts,manyofwhomparticipateonaprobonobasis,notingthisissimilartootherUNECEWorkingParties.Therewasmediumtohighownershipoftheoutcomesofthework.Withrespecttoimpact,theevaluationfoundthatWorkingParty6hasmadeapositivecontributionwithinUNECE,particularlythroughtheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative,andtheStandardsfortheSDGsproject(fundedbyextra-budgetaryresources),bothofwhichillustrateforcolleaguesthewiderrelevanceofstandardsforinternationallyagreedglobalgoalsforthe2030AgendaandtheUNSecretariat’spolicyofgendermainstreaming.Therehasbeen

219WithbeneficiarycountriesneedingsupporttoimplementWorkingParty6bestpracticeandrecommendations.

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nosignificantnegativeimpactofthenormativework.TheoutcomesoftheWorkingPartyhaveledtonewpoliciesorpolicychangesinmemberStatesinkeyareasincludingmarketsurveillance,regulatorycooperation,genderresponsivestandards,andequipmentforexplosiveenvironments.Likewise,countriesoutsideoftheEuroperegionhaveusedtheRecommendationsandotherdeliverablesofWorkingParty6,includinginregulatorycooperation,genderinclusivestandards,riskmanagement,disasterriskresilience,andstandardsfortheSDGs,illustratingtheimpactofWorkingParty6beyondtheUNECEmemberStates.TheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiativehasstrengthenedtheapplicationofgendermainstreamingprinciplesinthedevelopmentofstandardsandtechnicalregulations,throughraisingawareness,andbyencouragingthedevelopmentofgenderactionplans.However,itistooearlytojudgewhethertherehavebeensubstantialandmeaningfulchangesinthesituationofmostvulnerablegroups,althoughtherehavebeenpositivestepsforwardandcertainlygreatpotentialforinfluenceregardingwomen,peoplewithdisabilities,andpeoplelivingindisasterproneareas.

7. RecommendationsRecommendationshavebeenmadebasedupontheevaluationfindingsandconclusions,anddevelopedinconsultationwithstakeholders.

1. UpdateandreflecttheworkofWorkingParty6inlinewiththe2030Agenda,whichwasadoptedbyUNMemberStatesin2015.ReviewandupdatethetermsofreferenceofWorkingParty6inlinewiththeGuidelinesfortheEstablishmentandFunctioningofWorkingPartieswithinUNECE(ECE/EX/1paragraph3(d)–seeAnnex)toassessandproposenecessaryadjustmentstothemandateandstatusofWorkingParty6,andsubmittotheSteeringCommitteeonTradeCapacityandStandards.

2. TakestepstoformallyestablishSTART-edandtheGenderResponsiveStandardsInitiative,inlinewiththeagreedguidanceandproceduresinAnnexF.

3. FindwaystoaddressinclusionandparticipationinWorkingParty6advisorygroups.220Thiscouldinclude(i)increasingrepresentationofwomeninallWorkingParty6advisorygroupstoincreaseinputofwomeninthestandardsdevelopmentprocess,toimprovegenderbalanceinthesebodies,andtoenhanceexpertisetocreateanddelivergenderinclusivity;(ii)settingupasystemofregionalhubsorrotatingthetimingofadvisorygroupvirtualmeetingssothatparticipantsintimezonesdifferenttoEuropemaybemoreeasilyincluded.

4. Explorewaystoaddressresourceconstraints,forexample,bymakingfulluseoftheresourcesassignedtoWorkingParty6,consideringredistributionofresourceswithintheSection,internsfromMaster’sprogrammesonstandardization,andextra-budgetaryprojectswithprojectfundedprojectmanagers.

5. Seekpartnershipswithabroadrangeofwomen’sorganisations,includingthoserepresentingvulnerablegroupsofwomen,ineachthematicareaandadvisorygrouptoseektheirperspectives,addresstheirneeds,andtoreachthosefurthestbehind.

6. InordertopresentthefindingsofthetwomostrecentWorkingParty6initiatives,considerdevelopingapublicationonGenderResponsiveStandardsandtheSustainableDevelopmentGoals,focusingonSDG5asastandaloneandcrosscuttinggoalto

220AdvisoryGrouponMarketSurveillance(MARS),GrouponEducationandStandardisation(START-Ed),GroupofExpertsonRiskManagementinRegulatorySystems(GRM),StandardisationandRegulatoryTechniques(START).

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showcasehowstandardscontributetoachievementofgenderequality,gendermainstreaming,andachievementoftheSDGsintheUNECEregion.

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8. Annexes

AnnexA. TermsofReferenceToinsert

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AnnexB. ListofDocumentsReviewed• UNECEGenderResponsiveStandardsDeclaration• RecentWorkingParty6publications (i.e.Standards for theSustainableDevelopmentGoals,

TrainingGuideonRegulatoryFrameworksandMarketSurveillanceandBringingStandardsinUniversityCurricula:MakingtheCase),

• Recommendations (i.e. Recommendation T on Standards and Regulations for SustainableDevelopmentandRecommendationUonGender-ResponsiveStandards),

• ReportstotheWP.6’sAnnualWorkingPartysession;• Documentsassociatedwiththeextra-budgetaryprojectonStandardsfortheSDGs,including

therelatedvideoanddatabase;• Eventparticipantevaluationquestionnaires;• CapacityBuildingWorkshops(Riskmanagement)inKyrgyzstan(May-June2018);• WorkshoponWomenEntrepreneurship(21stMay2018)Kyrgyzstan;• StandardsfortheSDGs(September2018)Geneva.• TheStrategicFramework;• StrategicFramework2018-2019(ECE/CECI/2015/INF.1);• RelevantdecisionsofUN&UNECEmemberstatesandotherdocumentspromotingtheuseof

standards for sustainable development, gender equality and the empowerment of women(e.g.CommissionandEXCOMdecisions,previousrelevantevaluations,etc.);

• Currentpolicies/mechanismsforcooperationwithpartners;• UNECEGenderActionPlan2018-2019,UnitedNations(2017)• Reportsofhighlevelevents• Cooperationwithotherorganisations• Normativeactivities• Reportsofannualsessions• GenderGrouponlinemeetingreports• CasestudiesonuseofstandardsfortheSDGs• UNECERegulatoryCooperationbrochure• Programmebudget• StrategicFrameworks• ProgrammePerformanceReports

o ProgrammeperformancereportoftheUnitedNationsforthebiennium2016–2017,ReportoftheSecretary-General,23March,2018,A/73/77

TermsofReference• AnnextodocumentTRADE/2004/11-REVISEDTERMSOFREFERENCEFORTHEWORKING

PARTYONREGULATORYCOOPERATIONANDSTANDARDIZATIONPOLICIES(adoptedatthe13thsessionoftheWorkingPartyinNovember2003)

• ProgrammeofWork• Projectdocument:StandardsfortheSDGs2• GRMreports• KyrgyzProjectdocuments• StandardsfortheSDGsdocuments• MARSreports

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AnnexC. ListofIntervieweesIndividualinterviews–9Females(F),9Males(M)BureauandotherresponsibilitiesinWorkingParty6–2F,4M1.Dr.MarionStoldt,UNECEChairandHeadofInternationalCooperationPhysikalisch-TechnischeBundesanstaltPTB,Germany2.Ing.MiroslavChloupek,UNECEWP.6ViceChairandSeniorCounsellor,DirectorofExternalRelationsandEconomySection,CzechOfficeforStandards,MetrologyandTesting(ÚNMZ),CzechRepublic3.Ms.VeraDespotović,ChairofMARSGroupandSeniorAdvisorforCoordinationandPromotionofInter-SectionandRegionalCooperationinthefieldofMarketSurveillance,MinistryofTrade,TourismandTelecommunications,RepublicofSerbia4.Mr.ValentinNikonov,Coordinator,UNECEGroupofExpertsonRiskManagementinRegulatoryFrameworksandIndependentConsultant,Russia-Israel5.Mr.DonaldMacrae,Coordinator,UNECEGroupofExpertsonRiskManagementinRegulatoryFrameworksandIndependentConsultant,UK6.Mr.KevinKnight,Chair,UNECEGroupofExpertsonRiskManagementinRegulatoryFrameworksandIndependentConsultant,AustraliaGovernmentsandnationalstandardsbodies–1F,1M7.Ms.HeidiLund,SeniorAdviser,DepartmentforTradeandTechnicalRules,SwedishNationalBoardofTrade,Sweden8.Mr.PeterMorphee,PrincipalTechnicalAdvisor,EnergySafety,Worksafe,GovernmentofNewZealandRegionalandinternationalorganisations–2F,2M9.Mr.HenryCuschieri,HeadofMembershipandExternalRelations,ISO,Geneva10.Ms.DeborahWAUTIER,ProjectManager-Policy&StakeholdersEngagement–Strategy&Governance,CEN/CENELEC,Brussels11.Mr.DavidHanlon,ConformityAssessmentStrategyManagerandIECConformityAssessmentBoard(CAB)Secretary.IEC-InternationalElectrotechnicalCommission12.Ms.SilviaVaccaro,EuropeanCommission,PolicyOfficerStandardisation,DGGrowthUNandnon-UNpartnerorganisations–1F,0M13.Ms.TeresaMOREIRA,Head,CompetitionandConsumerPoliciesBranch,UNCTAD,GenevaAcademia–1F,0M14.ProfessorMartaOrviska,DepartmentofFinanceandAccounting,FacultyofEconomics,MatejBelUniversity,Slovakia(F)NGOsandprivatesector–0F,1M15.Mr.RakeshVAZIRANI,DirectorProductTraceability&EnvironmentalInformationManagement,TUVRheinlandUNECE–2F,1M16.Ms.MariaCeccarelli,OiC,EconomicCooperationandTradeDivisionandGenderFocalPointinTradeDivision,UNECE17.Ms.LorenzaJachia,Secretary,WorkingParty6,UNECE

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18.Mr.MikaVepsalainen,Chief,MarketAccessSection,EconomicCooperationandTradeDivision,UNECE

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AnnexD. SurveyQuestionnaires• Whatisyourgender?(Male,Female)• Whattypeoforganisationdoyourepresent?- Internationalorganization- Regionalorganisation- Internationalstandardsbody- Regionalstandardsbody- Nationalstandardsbody- Diplomaticmission- Nationalgovernmententity- Civilsocietyorganisation- Academia- Privatesector

• Inwhicharea(s)haveyouengagedwithWP6workbetweenJanuary2015-December2018?(Pleasetickallthatapply)

- GenderEquality- Marketsurveillance- Regulatoryassistance- Education- StandardsforSustainableDevelopmentGoals- Other

• Whichregionorcountrydoyourepresent?- Global- Europe- Africa- AsiaPacific- MiddleEast- LatinAmericaandCaribbean- NorthAmerica- Other

• HowrelevantisthecollaborationofWP6withyourorganisation(UN,internationalorganisations)?

- Highlyrelevant- Moderatelyrelevant- Slightlyrelevant- Notrelevant

• HowrelevantaretheactivitiesofWP6withregardtogenderequalityandwomen’sempowerment?

- Highlyrelevant- Moderatelyrelevant- Slightlyrelevant- Notrelevant

• HowrelevantistheworkofWP.6withregardtotheSustainableDevelopmentGoals?- Highlyrelevant- Moderatelyrelevant- Slightlyrelevant- Notrelevant

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• HastheworkofWP.6beenusefulforachievingtheSustainableDevelopmentGoals?Ifso,how?

• WP6designedoramendedthefollowingfiverecommendations.Didanyoftheseincorporatetheperspectiveofvulnerablegroupsegwomen,children,elderly,peoplewithdisabilities,others?(pleasetickallthatapply)

- RecommendationF-CreationandPromotionofInternationalAgreementsonConformityAssessment

- RecommendationG–AcceptanceofConformityAssessmentResults- RecommendationS–ApplyingPredictiveRiskManagementToolsforTargetedMarket

Surveillance- RecommendationT–StandardsandRegulationsforSustainableDevelopment- RecommendationU–GenderResponsiveStandards- Ifyes,whichvulnerablegroups?(women,children,peoplewithdisabilities,other–please

specify)• HaveanynegativeoutcomesbeenachievedasaresultofWP.6activities?Yes/No.Ifso

pleaseexplain• HaveanyunexpectedoutcomesbeenachievedasaresultofWP.6activities?Yes/No.Ifso

pleaseexplain• WerethereanychallengesinWP.6work?Yes/No.Ifsopleaseexplain• Weretheresufficientresources(human,financial,other)toachievetheintended

outcomes?• Whatisthelikelihoodthatbenefitsofnormativework(i.e.recommendations)will

continue?- Highlylikely- Likely- Notlikely- Notatall.- Willthisoverburdenyourorganisation?Yes/No.Ifsohow?

• Towhatextentdopartnersparticipateinand‘own’theoutcomesofWP6work?- High- Moderate- Low- Notatall.

• TowhatextenthastheworkcontributedtoimpactattheUNECElevel?- Toasignificantextent- Toamoderateextent- Toaslightextent- Notatall

• HasthenormativeworkofWP.6producedanynegativeimpact,directlyorindirectly,intendedorunintended?

(Longanswer)• HavetheoutcomesofWP.6ledtonewpoliciesorpolicychangesinthememberStates?

Yes/No.Ifsopleaseprovideexamples• Havethestandardsproducedbeenusedbyothercountriesoutsideoftheregion?Yes/No.If

sopleaseprovideexamples• Havethestandardsdevelopedhelpedtostrengthentheapplicationofgender

mainstreamingprinciples?Yes/No.Ifsohow?

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• Havethestandardsdevelopedcontributedtosubstantialandmeaningfulchangesinthesituationofthemostvulnerablegroups?Egwomen,children,peoplewithdisabilities?Ifsopleaseexplain

• HowdoesyourorganisationmakeuseoftheWP.6work?(Longanswer)• DoyoushareWP.6work?Withwhom?(Longanswer)• WhatisusefulaboutWP.6meetings?(Longanswer) • WhatmotivatesyourparticipationinWP.6work?(Longanswer) • AreyourneedsandexpectationsofWP.6fulfilled?(yes/no,ifsohow,ifnotwhynot?)

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AnnexE:GuidelinesfortheEstablishmentandFunctioningofWorkingPartieswithinUNECE,EconomicCommissionforEurope,ExecutiveCommittee,ECE/EX/1,9October2006Toinsert

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AnnexF:GuidelinesforEstablishmentofTeamofSpecialistsToinsert:Guidelines(ECE/EX/2/Rev.1),