Strengthening the Compliance of the OIC Member States

to International Standards

of harmonization with international standards such as those issued by ISO, IEC, and the Codex. Others

exhibit a lower degree of harmonization. Some countries allow goods into their markets if they comply

with international standards and there are no applicable local standards, which is a type of de facto

harmonization. However, standards and quality infrastructure remain underdeveloped in lower income

OIC member states—a contrast with the situation in higher income countries, where the body of

standards in force is significant, and there is evidence of real capacity in this area, including in relation

to harmonization.

Source: Author

Given the important role played by international standards in many countries, including OIC member

states, it is important to ensure that international standards bodies are as representative as possible.

Participation of developing countries is particularly important. A lack of effective participation by

developing countries in work of organizations like ISO, IEC, and the Codex is sometimes cited as a reason

why there is a case to be made that many standards are better suited to developed, as opposed to

developing, country contexts. A review of ISO, IEC, and the Codex shows that OIC member states have

different approaches to membership and participation depending on the organization. Participation is

weakest in IEC and strongest in the Codex. However, as the ISO example makes clearest, membership

alone is not enough. It is also important for countries to be actively involved in these organizations

technical committees and similar bodies where standards are debated and designed. Developing OIC

10000

20000

30000

40000

Azerbaijan

Bangladesh

Egypt

Gambia

Malaysia

Morocco

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Senegal

Suriname

Turkey

Number

Country

Internationally Harmonized Standards Non-Harmonized Standards