ISO Consumer Policy Committee
In 1968, in order to enhance cooperation with the consumer movement, ISO and the IEC established an International Standards Steering Committee on Consumer Affairs (ISCA). This was a forum at which representatives of the consumer organizations could advise ISO and the IEC on priorities for international standardization and review progress.
Ten years later, in 1978, the present day Council committee on consumer policy, COPOLCO, was set up.
Over the years ISO COPOLCO contributed to the development of many key international standards such as the ones related to product recall, product safety, complaints handling, network billing, and energy services to users.
Its workshop in 2001 lead to the development of the ISO 26000 – Guidance on Social Responsibility
Accomplishments
Policy work leading to:
- Standards related to services, such as tourism and related services, energy services to users, network services billing
- Standards related to product safety and recalls
- Social responsibility
- “Customer satisfaction” standards on codes of conduct, complaints handling and external customer dispute resolution mechanisms
- General guidance: policy statements on consumer participation and needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities
- and many more ……