The Singapore Productivity and Standards Board T(PSB) hosted the 21st PASC meeting from 2 - 3 Apr 1998 at the Pan Pacific Hotel, Singapore.

The meeting was chaired by Mr Lee Suan Hiang, Chief Executive of PSB. A total of 95 participants from 20 member countries attended the meeting. In addition, officials of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the international Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC), Asia Pacific Metrology Program (APMP) and the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) were also in attendance.

PASC members represented at the 21st PASC meeting

* Australia
* Brunei Darussalam
* Canada
* People's Republic of China
* Colombia
* Fiji
* Hong Kong (Special Administration Region)
* Indonesia
* Japan
* Republic of Korea
* Malaysia
* Mexico
* New Zealand
* Papua New Guinea
* Russian Federation
* Singapore
* South Africa
* Thailand
* United States of Americ
* Vietnam

The highlights of the meeting were as follows :-

ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 Technical Advisory Group (TAG 12)

PASC noted the need for industry and regional input in the work of ISO/TCs 176 and 207 that are responsible for the ISO 9000 and 14000 series of standards respective. PASC members were encouraged to enhance their participation in these committees. PASC supported the creation of a single auditing standard for ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 that would facilitate implementation by industry.

Ad Hoc Advisory Group (AHAG) on issue of privacy

ISO is considering the need for developing an international standard on personal privacy which would outline procedural principles for how personal information about individuals should be collected, used and disclosed. An AHAG was set up by the ISO to look into this matter and report their recommendations to the ISO Technical Management Board TMB in June 1998. Whilst the AHAG agreed on the goal of potential standards, it could not reach consensus on whether ISO was the appropriate body to develop them. PASC XXI has requested the ISO to consider holding a workshop within the next year on this subject to obtain feedback from stakeholders including industry.

- a PASC Network

As part of the continuing effort to define a future role for PASC, the meeting agreed to the establishment of a PASC Network via internet mail which would facilitate the exchange of information through central contact points of member countries so that the views of all PASC members,

especially those of the developing country members, were taken into consideration when developing international standards. This would cover exchange of information on ISO/IEC policy as well as technical issues.

ISO Performance and lnteroperability Standards

PASC would encourage ISO to focus on performancebased standards should be encouraged within the ISO as this would not limit innovation and would provide flexibility of choice for compliance. Moreover, it would facilitate adoption of ISO standards by different regions who were faced with fundamental differences in climate and infrastructure.

Equivalence of Standards

It was noted that the equivalency of standards within the region could be explored to help to reduce differences among national standards to facilitate trade. Such equivalence however, should only be explored inirtstances where international standards do not exist or where international standardisation would not be feasible because of the specific interests of the region. PASC agreed to identify the specific areas where a pilot project on equivalence of standards would be initiated.

ISO Seminar on Services on 31 Mar - 1 Apr 1998