CIRCULAR 7 March 1996

1. APEC TECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS SURVEY
   We would like provide Forum members an update on the APEC technical infrastructure development needs survey.
   
   
   
   • 1.1 The APEC Standards and Conformance Sub-Committee (SCSC) at its meeting held in Manila on 13-14 February considered the revised Report on the APEC Technical Infrastructure Development Needs Survey, and the paper on Technical Infrastructure Development.
     The SCSC noted the results of the survey and adopted the recommendations contained in the paper on Technical Infrastructure Development.
     
     Infrastructure needs for legal metrology included:
     • development of measurement legislation;
     • translation of legislation into English;
     • development of basic test facilities;
     • dentification of regional specialist test facilities and their accessibility;
     • development of measurement skills, competency standards and associated training material; and
     • exchange of staff in specialised areas.
     
     
   • 1.2 Australia was requested to prepare a preliminary draft Technical Infrastructure Development Program for consideration by the SCSC at its next meeting in May, and is seeking expert advice from the specialist regional bodies on what may be realistically achieved by the year 2000.
     
     
   • 1.3 The technical infrastructure survey on legal metrology in the nine Asia-Pacific developing economies (People's Republic of China, Indonesia Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Chinese Taipei and Thailand) by Dr. Birkeland has been completed, and this would allow for the inclusion of specific proposals and recommendations initiated by those economies he visited.
     
     However, we would appreciate that economies not covered in the survey by Dr. Birkeland also submit any project proposals that they may have for consideration.
     
     The more developed economies are requested to advise on their capabilities in terms of providing technical and/or financial assistance in the implementation of the mid-term program.
     
   
   
2. SURVEY ON LEGAL METROLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE IN ASIA-PACIFIC DEVELOPING ECONOMIES
   
   
   • 2.1 As mentioned in 1.3 above, Dr. Birkeland has successfully completed the survey on legal metrology infrastructure of the nine developing economies during the period 28 January - 26 March 1996. We would like to thank the organisations which participated in the survey as well as organised discussion sessions and technical visits for Dr Birkeland during the brief stopover. The Secretariat will circulate the report of the survey to all member economies as soon as it is completed.
     
3. APEC CONFERENCE ON STANDARDS AND CONFORMANCE
   
   The conference titled "The Need for Standards and Conformance in the Asia-Pacific Region" is tentatively scheduled for 30 September - 2 October 1996 to be held in Manila, The Philippines. Unfortunately these dates do not align well with the next Forum meeting in Vancouver on 3 November.
   
   The main objective of the conference is to bring together representatives from:
   
   • APEC - the Standards and Conformance Sub-Committee;
   • Funding bodies from Asia-Pacific economies;
   • Users of the standards and conformance infrastructure from industry and commerce;
   • Technical experts in standards and conformance;
   to help build a consistent technical infrastructure within the Asia-Pacific region as a basis for trade in the global marketplace. The Conference is particularly focused on raising awareness of the technical requirements of emerging Asia-Pacific economies.
   
   A draft program is included for information of Forum members, and the Secretariat would appreciate receiving information from members about the possibility of their attendance at this Conference, and whether they are able to make a presentation on legal metrology.
   
   DAY ONE
   
   • 0900-0930 Welcome address by Filipino Minister of Trade and Industry
   • 0930-1000 Introduction by Conference Organiser (Regional Coordinator, APMP)
   • 1000-1015 Opening of Poster sessions demonstrating standards and conformance infrastructure in Asia-Pacific economies
   • 1015-1030 Break
   • Chair: Dr B D Inglis
   • 1030-1230 Keynote Speakers:
   • Dr Terry Quinn, President BIPM, France
   • Dr Robert Kaaris, President, EAL, The Netherlands
   • President-elect, ISO (Singapore)
   • Leading Japanese industrialist
   • Mr Renato Navarette/Mr Jes Motoomul - Philippines - The economics of trade in the Asia-Pacific in the context of APEC.
   • 1230-1330 Lunch
     Session 1: Outcomes and Progress
     Means by which the needs of Asia-Pacific economies can be met in developing their technical infrastructure, with the assistance of the Specialist Regional Bodies. Schedule of activities discussed to progress towards the APEC 2020 goal.
     Chair: Mr Jes Motoomul
     
   • 1330-1400 Introductory overview of APEC's objectives, role and collaboration between the APEC SCSC and the Specialist Regional Bodies (APLAC, APLMF, APMP, PAC and PASC).
     Presented by APEC SCSC representative and shepherd of the regional bodies (Mr Graham Boxall).
   • 1400-1445 What is technical infrastructure?
     An overview of the work of each Asia-Pacific Specialist Regional Body (APLAC, APLMF, APMP, PAC and PASC) highlighting the regional needs in each area of standards and conformance (including discussion of membership criteria for each regional body). Presented by a representative from one of the Specialist Regional Bodies (Mr Gilmour).
   • 1445-1515 "The reliance of economic growth on development of technical infrastructure," presented by Mrs. Margaret Fanning, Australian SCSC representative coordinating "Technical Infrastructure Development".
     
   • 1515-1530 Break
   • 1530-1630 The Philippines - one economy's perspective
   • Presented by three speakers:
   • Head, DOST
   • Director, ITDI
   • Leading Filipino industrialist
   • 1630-1700 Panel summary from Day One speakers "Importance of APEC SCSC and Specialist Regional Bodies to the development of Technical Infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific".
     
     
   DAY TWO
   "Trading Goods to international standards - the practice"
   
   Session 2: "Traceability, Testing and Conformance
   Focus on physical measurement, legal metrology and laboratory accreditation. Chair: Dr Panlasigui
   
   • 0915-1130 Speakers from four Asia-Pacific economies (Indonesia, China, Thailand, Singapore) - to provide case studies on traded goods in terms of their existing national measurement systems, the extent to which their economies participate in international intercomparisons, metrology in national legislation, and the role of laboratory accreditation in their economies.
     Session 3: "Teams, Tools and Traceability in Quality Systems"
     Implementation of ISO 9000 standards in Asia-Pacific economies, including training of personnel, tools such as statistical process control and links to the traceability system for metrology.
     Chair: Mr John Hulbert
     
   • 1130-1230 Speakers from Asia-Pacific economies and ESCAP (to update on February ESCAP meeting "Consultative Expert Group Meeting on Regional Cooperation on the Adoption of ISO 9000 Series"). Demonstration of the relationship between traceability and quality.
     
   • 1230-1330 Lunch
     Session 4: "The Written Standard"
     Chair: Mr Tanaka
     
   • 1330-1430 The Asia-Pacific region and international standards writing
     Session 5: "Standards and Conformance requirements in recently developed and emerging economies
     
   • Chair: Head, Filipino Department of Trade and Industry
   • 1430-1445 Introductory remarks
   • 1445-1545 Industry presentations:
     Experience and impediments in implementing quality systems, manufacturing to international standards, testing and measurement traceability, the legal metrology system, perceived technical barriers to trade.
     
   • 1545-1600 Break
   • 1600-1630
     Panel discussion involving representatives of the Specialist Regional Bodies, APEC SCSC, and all speakers.
     
     Requirements of developing economies, means of obtaining assistance such as funding, training and access to equipment, and activities to be undertaken by the Regional Bodies to support developing economies.
     
   • 1630-1700 Closing of Conference
     
     Final remarks from APEC SCSC, Filipino government, Specialist Regional Bodies
     
   
   DAY THREE
   
   • Morning Visits to representative laboratories, etc. of Filipino infrastructure
   
   
4. INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT
   
   The Beijing Forum meeting "recognised the importance of industry in establishing mutual recognition agreements in the region". Forum members were requested to advise the Secretariat of existing national consultative structures on legal metrology with industry. Forum members were also requested to consult with industry on existing technical barriers to trade and priority areas for Forum activity.
   
   Action required:
   
   All Forum members are requested to advise the Forum Secretariat by 17 May of:
   
   • Existing national consultative structures on legal metrology with industry in their economy;
   • Industry proposals on existing technical barriers to trade in legal metrology and priority areas for Forum activity.
   • What should be the Forum policy on industry involvement in working group meetings.
   
   
5. FORUM SURVEYS
   
   Arising out of the Beijing Forum meeting, the Forum will be conducting two further surveys in the next few months. These are:
   • Survey on specialised legal metrology test facilities in the region and accessibility to these facilities; and
   • Survey on national metrological requirements for utility meters.
     The Secretariat would appreciate receiving members' opinions on the scope and content of these surveys.
     
   
   
6. MEMBERS' NEWS
   
   In Circular 6, the Secretariat highlighted that news items relating to the development of metrology and associated infrastructure, reorganisation, legislative amendments or any other news of interest would be appreciated from member economies. We would like to inform members on the reorganisation of legal metrology in Korea.
   
   • 6.1 National Institute of Technology and Quality - Korea
     Following the reorganisation of the Korea Industrial Advancement Administration (KIAA), the new organisation in charge of legal metrology, and the contact person is:
     
     • Mr Jung-Heui Ko
     • Assistant Director,
     • International Standards and Metrology Division.
     • National Institute of Technology and Quality
     • 1599 Gwanyang-dong Dongan-gu, Anyang, Kyunggi-do 430-060,
     • Korea
     • Tel: 82-343-84-1861
     • Fax: 82-343-84-6077
   • 6.2 Other member economies who would like to circulate their information are requested to send them to the Secretariat.