World Standards Day is celebrated internationally each year on October 14th and the aim of World Standards Day is to raise awareness among regulators, industry and consumers as to the importance of standardisation to the global economy.
The theme of this year's World Standards Day message is "Intelligent and sustainable buildings". With a world population that has more than doubled since 1950 and is steadily moving into urban areas half the world population is expected to be living in an urban environment by the end of 2008.
The building and construction industry has grown into one of the largest industry sectors with immense consequences for all three dimensions of sustainable development economic, social and environmental.
The day honours the efforts of the thousands of experts who develop voluntary standards within standards development organisations such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
October 14th was specifically chosen to mark the date in 1946 when delegates from 25 countries first gathered in London and decided to create an international organisation focused on facilitating standardisation.
Even though ISO was formed one year later, it wasn't until 1970 that the first World Standards Day was celebrated. Each year, ISO determines a theme based on a current aspect of standardisation.
Energy efficiency, safety, security and communication are issues that are crucial for the construction sector. Sustainability principles combined with state-of-the art information and communication technology (ICT) will ensure that commercial, government and residential buildings meet these requirements.
The leaders of the three organisations conclude their message: "International standards help to ensure not only basic quality and safety requirements, but also the incorporation of new technologies for the construction and operation of intelligent and sustainable buildings."