11. MARYAN STREET (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Commerce
What was the response to the standards and conformance infrastructure review and what changes will be made as a result?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL (Minister of Commerce) Link to this
The review confirmed that the standards and conformance infrastructure plays a pivotal role in facilitating innovation as well as contributing to the Labour-led Government’s economic transformation and sustainability goals. The proposals include a reduction in the size of the membership of the Standards Council and Telarc, so that they can focus on the governance of Standards New Zealand and International Accreditation New Zealand respectively. The Standards Council will establish sector advisory boards to develop strategic plans that set the standardisation priorities across their sectors—a very good review.
How will the announcement ensure that New Zealand’s standards and conformance infrastructure drives innovation and assists international trade?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
Overseeing the whole standards and conformance infrastructure will be a regulatory forum that will include regulators, policy makers, standards and conformance bodies, and invited industry representatives. The forum will ensure that a strategic approach is adopted and that standards drive high-quality regulatory regimes, in accordance with international best practice. This is good for New Zealand and I look forward to the National Party’s question.