Why is inclusiveness important?
- Ultimately the private sector pays for a national QI system and the associated implementation of technical regulations. It is vital therefore that the private sector is directly involved in the development and implementation of a QP. Non-governmental organizations often play a significant role, functioning as a trusted voice of society. It is therefore appropriate that the initiatives supporting the creation and implementation of a QP solicit their active support in a variety of roles to harness their influence in the promotion of quality throughout society. The private sector should also be encouraged to actively participate in governance structures, including technical committees of the QI institutions, and provide their perspectives in deliberations regarding standards, metrology, and accreditation at the regional and international level. The concept of inclusiveness should include the right for suppliers to access conformity assessment systems developed on the basis of the QI on a non-discriminatory basis, in line with WTO Agreements. Where permitted, this should be extended to ensure the rights of service providers to participate in such systems.
- In addition to the private sector, civil society should also be encouraged to participate in QP initiatives, including gender equality advocacy groups and women’s organizations. Gender equality and empowerment of women should also be one of the connecting threads within the QP development process. Cooperation should therefore be sought with governmental and non-governmental entities responsible for issues, including gender advocacy and mainstreaming. Foreign stakeholders should not be excluded.
- International development partners are active in almost all developing economies in establishing trade supportive infrastructures and systems, including standardization and technical regulation. Challenges in this regard include the tendency to follow the policy or business goals of a funding government, which is often coupled with a hesitancy on the part of intended recipient ministries to involve others who could provide a wider and more holistic perspective. This can lead to duplication of effort by different development partners. The QP therefore needs to articulate the responsibilities of recipient ministries while encouraging development partners to cooperate more closely regarding national QI infrastructure coordination.

Definition:
The key principle of Inclusiveness emphasizes the need to address those subjects and/or areas which could influence the development of the QP, using appropriate consultative processes that include all necessary stakeholders, to promote the required and necessary ownership of intended outcomes and subsequent actions.