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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents..................................................................................................................................................................................i
List Of Tables.........................................................................................................................................................................................ii
List of Figures........................................................................................................................................................................................ii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .....................................................................................................................................................................1
1 INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT OVERVIEW.................................................................................................................7
2 WHY DO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MATTER FOR OIC COUNTRIES?.....................................................9
2.1 Introduction to Standards and Quality Infrastructure..................................................................................9
2.2 International Standards...........................................................................................................................................11
2.3 WTO Rules on Product Standards.......................................................................................................................15
2.4 Product Standards and Export Competitiveness..........................................................................................18
2.5 Trends in the Use of Standards ............................................................................................................................21
3 INSTITUTIONS SUPPORTING INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF
TESTS AND CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT RESULTS IN OIC MEMBER STATES .....................................................25
3.1 Overview of Issues.....................................................................................................................................................25
3.2 Current State of Play .................................................................................................................................................27
3.2.1 Conformity Assessment and Mutual Recognition...................................................................................28
3.3 Regional Initiatives....................................................................................................................................................29
4 ANALYSIS OF OIC MEMBER STATES’ PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS ...................................................................................................................................31
4.1 Standardization...........................................................................................................................................................31
4.2 Metrology.......................................................................................................................................................................40
4.3 Accreditation................................................................................................................................................................43
4.4 Breakdown by Region ..............................................................................................................................................45
4.5 Supporting the Participation of Developing Countries in International Standard Setting.........46
5 STANDARDS AND OIC MEMBER STATES’ EXPORTS .............................................................................................47
5.1 Extra-OIC Trade ..........................................................................................................................................................48
5.2 Intra-OIC Trade ...........................................................................................................................................................57
6 COUNTRY CASE STUDIES ..................................................................................................................................................69
6.1 Conceptual Framework and Methodology ......................................................................................................69
6.1.1 International Standards and OIC Member States: Desk Review ......................................................69
6.1.2 Examples of Best Practice: Desk Review and Semi-Structured Interviews.................................69
6.2 OIC Member State Case Studies............................................................................................................................73
6.2.1 Bangladesh ..............................................................................................................................................................73
6.2.1.1 Standards Infrastructure........................................................................................................................75
6.2.1.2 Harmonization and Mutual Recognition .........................................................................................78
6.2.1.3 Impact of Technical Assistance and Capacity Building .............................................................80
6.2.1.4 Standards-Related Issues in Export Markets.................................................................................81
6.2.1.5 Policy Implications of Bangladesh’s Experience ..........................................................................82
6.2.2 Egypt ..........................................................................................................................................................................83
6.2.2.1 Standards Infrastructure........................................................................................................................85
6.2.2.2 Harmonization............................................................................................................................................89
6.2.2.3 Impact of Technical Assistance and Capacity Building .............................................................92