Productivity Commission releases final report into Standards Australia

The Productivity Commission's report into Standards Australia makes a series of demanding recommendations while acknowledging that Standards Australia had "embarked on a significant plan to address key issues of concern", according to John Tucker, CEO of Standards Australia.

"The report recognises the challenges faced by Standards Australia and the reform agenda being implemented to address them," Tucker said.

"Many of the recommendations, including increased partnership arrangements, greater emphasis on project management and better use of technology, were already part of the reforms being undertaken by Standards Australia.

"For the past two years, Standards Australia has been going through a major reform process focusing our attention on greater involvement with other standards development organisations.

"An important role for Standards Australia in the future will be the continued accreditation of other organisations to develop Australian standards.

"Standards Australia does not, must not and should not be seen as having a monopoly on developing industry and community standards," Tucker said.

Key recommendations in the report include:

• Standards Australia continuing as Australia's peak non-government standards development body;
• Continued adoption of International Standards ahead of Australian Standards, wherever appropriate;
• Increasing the transparency of the justification for new or amended Standards;
• Maintaining or increasing current federal funding for consumer and industry involvement in international standardisation activities;
• Increased participation by consumer groups in the ISO consumer policy group;
• Improving the balance of interests represented on committees including increasing representation from small business, consumer and other community groups;
• Reducing the barriers to volunteer participation by reducing the cost of involvement;
• Strengthening Standards Australia's appeals and complaint mechanisms.

Tucker said recommendations calling for governments to undertake regulatory review statements for mandatory standards and to fund low cost access to standards referenced in regulations would be welcomed by all businesses and consumers.

"The report also places strong emphasis on Standards Australia's continuing role in coordinating with international standards organisations," Tucker said.

The report concluded key elements of the publishing agreement between Standards Australia and SAI Global were of major concern noting, "Some of the terms of the publishing agreement continue to create perverse incentives and constraints for Standards Australia."

Tucker said he would continue to engage SAI Global on the terms of the current publishing agreement and was confident a "win-win' result could be found.