World product labels or approvals
Saturday, December 20th, 2008 - First thought
A world product label or world product approval based on the cumulative fulfilment of regional requirements would improve marketing chances for industry and product quality and reduce risks for environment and human health.
World product labels or approvals
Harmonisation of technical requirements for products in Europe and worldwide has proven to be very cumbersome. The reason for this is that each country or region wants to maintain its domestic requirements as a minimum requirement without being obliged to accept any other requirements deemed unnecessary.
The principle of the cumulative fulfilment of regional requirements as a basis for a world product label as marketing tool or a world product approval does not hurt the interest of negotiating parties in as much as each of them can maintain lower environmental or safety levels as a minimum for market access on their territories. On the contrary, products fulfilling cumulatively all regional requirements are of a higher performance and a lower risk for human health and environment. They would thus create more benefit and reduce risks on the territories of all countries or regions without creating the obligation to increase minimum requirements.
A world product label certifying the cumulative fulfilment of regional requirements would be a first step. The label would become a quality mark appreciated by consumers and increasing marketing potentials for industry.
A world product approval based on the cumulative fulfilment of regional requirements would, in addition, create an immediate market access in all regions or countries.
This idea is applicable to all areas for which there are no contradicting requirements in the various regions or countries.
Technical issues have to be solved as to the permanent renewal or modification of requirements in the various regions and countries.
