IIW White Paper

7 Needs and challenges in legal codes, rules and standardisation

7.3.4 IIW help for developing nations IIW began primarily with developed industrial nations as the member countries, due to the fact that the knowledge and understanding of welding was with these members. Over the years it became obvious that technology transfer of this knowledge needed to occur to the less developed countries if world trade was to occur effectively and efficiently. There is also an ongoing need for simple, practical means for improving water, food, fuel, shelter, health and education especially for children and youth. Developed nations must help on humanitarian grounds alone; and the spinoff for the world should be reduced tensions and gain for all. One of the greatest needs for IIW was to find a sustainable method to provide technical knowledge to the emerging economies and economies in transition so that they could improve their quality of life and contribute to their economic future. This challenge has been partially addressed by technology transfer workshops and providing mechanisms for these countries to become members of IIW and access to welding knowledge and experts. Many of the technical reports that are issued annually by IIW are of use and value to the emerging countries, but many are above the basic needs of these countries. There is a great need to develop and provide appropriate welding information in a manner that can be implemented directly at the particular user level. This challenge is currently being addressed through the mechanism of International Congresses that are held in specific regions where the countries in those regions can gather and share information through a conference, an exhibition, personal contacts or other means. The development of ISO standards through IIW has also contributed to the need for better understanding of various government regulations and trade policies. Through collaboration with ISO TC 44 (the ISO Technical Committee on Welding) and CEN TC 121 (the European Committee on Welding) practical welding standards have been, and are being, developed that are globally relevant, to assist the manufacturing industry in world trade. While the need is still beyond what is currently being delivered, this challenge is being addressed by an increasing number of IIW Working Units developing ISO Technical Reports. 7.4.1 Welding Industry involvement All welding personnel need to help as far as reasonably practicable to help ensure laws and standards of their country are optimum at least for the immediate future, keeping in mind we are all part of a world where interdependency is increasing. Both are important documents which influence the use of welding technology and proactive, progressive input from industry can improve both. These documents should where practicable be computerised and be available to industry – easily and if possible freely unless a fee is needed to cover costs. IIW and industry need to assist in the feed-back of successes and failures. This is a powerful way to learn from others and inspire innovation for improvement. A guide for the welding industry is needed on up-to-date fair realistic practice on copying anything and fair use of intellectual property. Our biggest need in 2012 is help to overcome the global economic and other disasters which will hurt all of us – some much more than others. We need also to learn from these disasters how to behave and to have suitable controls or watchdogs to avoid repetition of failure. We want as much freedom as possible and the right balance of essential controls. IIW and member countries need to continue to give best information and advice to their members and general industry on how to tackle these and other problems. 7.4 Needs in laws, standards and technical information

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Through Optimum Use and Innovation of Welding and Joining Technologies

Improving Global Quality of Life