UNECE
UNECE Working Party on Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies (WP.6)
The Working Party has existed in various formats since 1970 and since 2015 has been one of the working groups of Steering Committee on Trade Capacity and Standards that operates within the Economic Cooperation and Trade Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). WP.6 was established to promote regulatory cooperation, standardization policies and activities that contribute to the reduction of technical barriers to trade and the promotion of sustainable development in all its dimensions – see WP.6 policies, procedures and mandate.
The activities of WP.6 are mainly aimed at developing recommendations for standards organisations and policy makers (more here), providing a neutral forum for exchange of views and sharing of experiences among all stakeholders and to raise awareness of new challenges and trends related to standardization and regulation (digitalisation, new technologies, gender equality, etc.). A brochure giving a more detailed overview of the main activities of WP.6 and its outputs is available under this link (PDF, 220 kB).
The four sub-groups and initiatives listed below work within WP.6:
- MARS – Advisory Group on Market Surveillance
- GRM – Group of Experts on Risk Management in Regulatory Systems
- START – Ad-Hoc Team of Specialists on Standardization and Regulatory Techniques
- GSRI – Team of Specialists on Gender - Responsive Standards
- START-Ed – Initiative on Education on Standardization
During the period 2014-2022, when the representative of the ÚNMZ served as the Second Vice-Chair of WP.6, the Czech Republic had the opportunity to actively participate in the formulation of the guidelines for the work of this WP, agreed in the annual meetings of the WP and confirmed by the Steering Committee on Trade Capacity and Standards. The mandate could not be extended for a further period due to procedural reasons, but the ÚNMZ continues to represent the Czech Republic in WP.6 and to participate in the activities of the WP and its subgroups within its competence.
A summary of the activities of WP.6 and its subgroups or initiatives in 2022 and 2023 is provided in the WP.6 Newsletter of December 2022 (PDF, 241 kB).
Detailed information on WP.6 activities can be found here and about upcoming meetings and events here. Any questions regarding WP.6 activities can be addressed to unece.wp6@unmz.cz.