As consumers, we expect the products we use and the food we ingest to meet certain safety and quality standards. Countries rightfully enforce the application of national standards and technical regulations on both domestically produced and imported goods to safeguard public welfare. However, from the trade perspective, excessive or very strict application of these standards can impede the flow of goods being traded among countries.
With the realization of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 drawing closer, harmonizing national standards is increasingly a focus of regional efforts. This Policy Note aims to give a brief introduction to standards and conformance in the Philippines as well as to ASEAN initiatives aimed at facilitating trade flows.
