Harnessing quality for global competitiveness in Eastern Europe and Central Asia / edited by Jean-Louis Racine.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Racine, Jean-Louis.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Quality of products--Europe, Eastern.

Quality of products.

Quality of products--Asia, Central.

Competition, International.

Central Asia.

Eastern Europe.

Physical Description:

xxiv, 330 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 26 cm

Place of Publication:

Washington, DC : World Bank, [2011]

Summary:

National quality infrastructure systems are underdeveloped and not synchronized with the trading partners in much of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The intent of Racine (innovation specialist, Europe and Central Asia region, World Bank) and 10 contributors is to underscore the need for reform and modernization of institutions in those regions to improve quality and standards. The authors suggest that those countries can make improvements by changing mandatory standards, fast-tracking technical regulations, and harmonizing national quality infrastructure with regional and international trade partners. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Contents:

Executive Summary 1

Support by the National Quality Infrastructure of a Country's Global Competitiveness 2

The Government's Role in the National Quality Infrastructure 5

Business Competitiveness and the National Quality Infrastructure 6

Restructuring and Improved Governance of the National Quality Infrastructure 7

More Competitive ECA Countries 8

Upgrading of the National Quality Infrastructure 10

References 12

1 The Role of Quality and Standards for Competitiveness and Trade 13

Opportunities and Risks of Supporting Quality Upgrading 14

Standards and Development 23

Annex: Important Global Standards 41

References 48

2 Eastern Europe and Central Asia's Position in Quality Competition: Not Quite There Yet 55

Measuring Quality 56

Unit Values 58

Quality-Sensitive Industries 66

Quality Position as Revealed by Intraindustry Trade 70

Quality Strategies 74

Quality Rankings in ECA 75

Conclusion 77

References 79

3 The National Quality Infrastructure: Basic Framework and Role of the Government 81

Structure of the National Quality Infrastructure in Market Economies 82

International and Regional Coordination 89

Rationale for Public Intervention 93

References 103

4 The Building Brocks of the National Quality Infrastructure 105

What Are Standards, and How Are They Used? 105

International and Regional Integration in Standardization 117

Conformity Assessment Bodies 125

Closing the Loop with Market Surveillance 133

Scientific, Industrial, and Legal Metrology 135

International Cooperation in Metrology and Trade 139

The Role of Accreditation 142

International and Regional Integration in Accreditation 145

References 150

5 Standards and Technical Regulations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: A Double-Edged Sword 153

Standards and Technical Regulations in ECA 154

Improving Standards 176

Sorting Out Technical Regulations 182

References 189

6 Comformity Assessment Sometimes, But Not Always, a Seal of Quality in Eastern Europe and Central Asia 191

The Market for Conformity Assessment in ECA 192

Market Surveillance in ECA 213

Supporting the Market for Standards and Conformity Assessment 214

References 228

7 Metrology Making Sure Everything Fits 229

Metrology in ECA 230

Upgrading Metrology Systems in ECA 253

References 264

8 Accreditation: Certified Once-Accepted Eveywhere 265

Accreditation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia 266

Establishing Credible Accreditation Systems in ECA 288

References 297

9 Conclusion: Moving Forward 299

Incentives for Reform in Eastern Europe and Central Asia 300

Improving Governance for National Quality Infrastructure 301

Investing in the National Quality Infrastructure 308

The Way Forward 311

References 314.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9780821385098

0821385097

9780821385104

0821385100

OCLC:

670483331