*EPF106 03/27/00
Text: ITU on E-Commerce Standards
(Joins global program for standards development) (740)
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialized U.N. agency for telecommunications, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with three other international groups to set global standards for electronic commerce.
"The purpose of the MoU is to minimize the risk of divergent and competitive approaches to standardization, avoid duplication of efforts and avoid confusion amongst users," said Houlin Zhao, Director of ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, said in a statement to the media March 24.
The other signatories to the MoU are the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE), the ITU said.
Following is text of the ITU press release:
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International Telecommunication Union
United Nations specialized agency for telecommunications
24 March 2000
ITU joins MoU on electronic business in support of e-commerce
Jointly issued by ITU, ISO, IEC and UN/ECE
Geneva -- The International Telecommunication Union signed today a Memorandum of Understanding on electronic business, joining three leading international standards-setting organizations already party to the MoU, namely the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE). In addition to the four signatories, CALS (1) International and NATO CALS participate in implementation of the MoU as registered international user groups.
"The purpose of the MoU is to minimize the risk of divergent and competitive approaches to standardization, avoid duplication of efforts and avoid confusion amongst users" said Houlin Zhao, Director of ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau when signing the agreement on behalf of the ITU. "The MoU will also provide greater intersectoral coherence in the field of electronic business, an important step considering the uptake of e-commerce" Zhao added.
Mr. Yves Berthelot, Executive Secretary to UN/ECE, stressed that the participation of ITU is essential to secure the interoperability required by the network economy. He further added, "When countries adopt international standards and harmonize their technical regulations worldwide, everybody stands to gain. Moreover, the development of technical instruments shared by all countries facilitates and strengthens their involvement in harmonious economic relations. This vital role of international standards as the technical foundation for the global market is explicitly recognized by the World Trade Organization".
The MoU establishes a coordination mechanism under a unique cooperative model to produce mutually supportive standards required in business transactions (data interchange and interoperability) as well as products design and manufacturing to meet the urgent needs of both the industry and the end-users. Electronic business covers the information definition and exchange requirements within and between enterprises, including customers. Given that it provides the vital framework for e-commerce, it is intended that this MoU will support this rapidly changing and fast growing business sector.
ISO Secretary-General, Dr. Lawrence D. Eicher, commented: "This MoU is an excellent practical example of greater partnership between the governmental and private sectors. It lays the foundation for a healthy future development of e-commerce to the benefit of all stakeholders."
Under the MoU, the four organizations undertake to review their standardization activities and develop a joint, coordinated program for standards development and publication which will benefit the marketplace.
The MoU is open to other international, regional, governmental, industry and consumer organizations whose core mission involves standards-setting.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Sophie Clivio
Technical Programme Manager
ISO
Tel: +41 22 749 7284
Fax: +41 22 749 7349
E-mail: [email protected]
Mr. Gabriel Barta
Head of Technical Coordination
IEC
Tel: +41 22 919 0283
Fax: +41 22 919 0300
E-mail : [email protected]
Mr. Georges Sebek
Telecommunication Standardization Bureau
ITU
Tel: +41 22 730 5994
Fax: +41 22 730 5853
E-mail: [email protected]
Mr. Jean Kubler
Trade Division
Economic Commission for Europe
UN
Tel: +41 22 917 2774
Fax: +41 22 917 0037
E-mail: [email protected]
Note 1.
Continuous Acquisition and Lifecycle Support (CALS) is defined as a strategic management concept that uses the best available information technology, management methods and international standards to increase the effectiveness of organizations. It allows enterprises to be integrated on a worldwide basis thereby facilitating electronic commerce within and between organizations.
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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: usinfo.state.gov)
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