A GLOBAL BRIDGE OF TRUST AND A BASIS FOR TRADE HARMONY

A GLOBAL BRIDGE OF TRUST AND A BASIS FOR TRADE HARMONY

15-OCT-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------World Standards Day is celebrated every year on October 14. This day celebrates the invisible system that ensures the quality of our lives, industry, trade, and security. Standardization is not merely a technical process; it is the foundation of reliability, security, transparency, and mutual cooperation that underpins the ease and stability of human life. The purpose of this day is to remind us that the utility of any product, service, or system can only be sustainable and reliable if it meets established standards and quality standards. World Standards Day is also an opportunity to honor the thousands of experts and workers who, sitting in international organizations, set standards for the benefit of the world and play an active role in the creation and implementation of international standards. Its purpose is to emphasize the role of standardization in improving international trade and security, as well as the quality of life, by ensuring that standards are equitable, fair, and conducive to the safety and progress of humanity.

This day commemorates the first meeting held in 1946, where representatives from 25 countries gathered in London to establish an international organization that would focus their efforts on standardization. Although the International Organization for Standardization was formed the following year, the first World Standards Day was celebrated in 1970. The purpose of World Standards Day is to raise public awareness of the vital role of standards in the international marketplace, namely, safety, reliability, and quality in products and services across nearly every sector, from healthcare to technology. The theme for 2025 is "Collaboration," reflecting the importance of partnerships to make progress possible. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and the belief that we are more powerful than the sum of our parts. By working together, we are empowering people with real solutions to directly address sustainability challenges. Additionally, the Bureau of Indian Standards has chosen this year's theme as "Sustainable Development Goals: Collective Partnerships in Achieving the Goals." Shared vision is crucial for building a better world. The aim of celebrating this day is to focus on industry, innovation, and infrastructure, and to raise awareness about the importance of standardization among consumers, regulators, and industry.

Today, when globalization, technological acceleration, climate change, health crises, and supply chain disruptions are looming, the importance of standardization has increased more than ever. Standards are the language through which countries understand each other. When a product or service conforms to a certain standard, it can be accepted in any country. This facilitates trade, increases consumer confidence, and strengthens interdependence between countries. This is why standardization is called the soul of global trade. It not only brings economic benefits but also ensures quality of life, safety, and environmental balance.

Contrary to this message of World Standards Day, many steps are being taken in today's politics that undermine the spirit of global trade and mutual cooperation. The exorbitant tariff policy pursued by current US President Trump is a prime example. In the name of national security and competition, he has created a trade war by imposing heavy tariffs on imported goods. This policy is affecting not only business interests but also global balance. These tariff walls increase distrust between countries, drive up prices, and disrupt supply chains. Rising costs of imported goods lead to higher prices for consumers, increased production costs for industries, and slowed international trade.

The World Trade Organization has already warned that such tariff policies are reducing global trade growth and creating instability for investors. Tariffs are not just taxes or duties; they are also a sign of trust between nations. When a country repeatedly imposes high tariffs under the guise of its own economic interests, other nations begin to close their doors in retaliation. The result is that a world that was once moving toward a common market is once again becoming bound by the chains of borders and distrust. In this context, World Standards Day conveys the message that the true means of connecting the world is not through trade tariffs, but through standardization. Standards provide countries with a common ground, where confidence in the quality and safety of products is so strong that no additional tariffs or restrictions are necessary. Standardization is a bridge of trust that connects people, goods, and ideas across borders. When one country accepts another's standards, it symbolizes mutual respect and transparency. This process facilitates international trade, guarantees safety and quality, and protects consumer interests. This process of standardization is not only industrial or commercial, but also humanitarian. At its core lies the spirit of equality, fairness, and cooperation. This philosophy states that the world is one family and that the welfare of all is its own welfare. Therefore, when a nation erects a wall of tariffs or restrictions, It draws dividing lines within this global family. Standards blur these lines and strengthen relationships.

Today, standardization is needed not only for the industrial sector but also for it to become the foundation of international policy. All countries worldwide should participate equally in standard-setting, so that no single nation or company can dominate the process. Small and developing countries should also have equal opportunities within international standards bodies so that they can participate equally in global trade through their products and services. Furthermore, it is essential to simplify and facilitate the certification process so that even small industries can present their products globally in accordance with standards. World Standards Day reminds us that humanity's progress lies not solely in economic power but in the cooperation and trust that standardization enables. Policies like exorbitant tariffs may provide temporary political gains, but they destroy the world's coordinated development and mutual trust. Therefore, it is essential that all nations embrace the spirit of standardization and transform global trade into a medium for partnership and shared progress, not a vehicle for competition or retaliation.

Standardization is the invisible thread and fundamental foundation that holds the world together. It not only brings quality to production and trade but also instills a sense of reliability and security in every sphere of life. World Standards Day symbolizes the idea that global unity is incomplete unless we are bound by common standards and shared values. Therefore, on this day, we must resolve to avoid policies that create division and to follow the common path of standardization that paves the way for trust, security, and prosperity for all. The entire standards system is based on cooperation.