Sweden (SIS)

Last updated on: 2018-08-21

Stakeholder Organization(s) contributing to the case study

National Standards Body

National structures for consumer participation (Technical)

The Swedish Standards Consumers & Workers Council, (SKA-raadet). The Council is funded by the Swedish Government and since 2012 organized as an independent part of the Swedish Standardization Federation (a collaborative organization for the three Swedish National Standardization Bodies, SIS, SEK and ITS).

National structures for consumer participation (Policy)

The Swedish Standards Consumers & Workers Council, (SKA-raadet), was established in 1990 as “SIS Consumers Council” to promote consumer participation in standardization. Since the year 2000, the target groups have been extended to include end-user representatives from unions, as well as
from disability, environmental and other non-profit organizations. The Council is funded by the Swedish Government and since 2012 organized as an independent part of the Swedish Standardization Federation (a collaborative organization for the three Swedish National Standardization Bodies, SIS, SEK and ITS).
The Council’s tasks are:
- To strengthen the participation of end- user representatives (from consumer, workers, disability, environmental and other non-profit organizations) in both national and international standardization projects.
- To encourage interest from end- user representatives through information, training and grants for the costs of participating in standardization projects and international meetings.
- To monitor and evaluate standardization projects of interest to end-user groups
- To increase the knowledge of how and in which areas end-user representation will lead to standards that are better and fit for purpose.

Main obstacles to participation

Funding

Resources (financial or other)

Language

Distance

Funding of participation

Through the" Swedish Standards Consumers & Workers Council", (SKA-raadet) consumer/end-user organizations and non-profit organizations can apply for financing of:
- Project/committee fees for participation in Swedish standardization technical committees
- Travel expenses to be able to participate in international standardization meetings
- Projects and other activities to enhance and promote end-user participation in standardization projects
Additionally, the project funding allows some resources for co-ordination and promotion work both at the Swedish Consumers’ Association and the Swedish Disability Federation. The aim is to also support the environmental NGOs, which has been done in the past, but present activity is low.
The Council finances consumer/end-user representation in all three Swedish Standard bodies SIS, SEK and ITS, but involvement in electrotechnical standards and information technology standards is a relatively limited part of overall representation.

Useful Web sites and other resources for consumer participation

http://www.skaradet.se/

Respondent's name

Edmark Helene Ms