Could you represent consumers on a standard for sustainable procurement?

Expressions of interest  are invited for a vacancy on a  Standards Australia Technical Committee to develop a standard on sustainable procurement

B/w sketch of handshake

CFA plays an important role in ensuring consumer interests are represented in the development of Australian Standards.  As part of the  CFA Standards Project we are seeking a skilled  volunteer to advocate for the consumer interest to be taken into account, and for the standard to include acceptable requirements for consumer protection.

The Technical Mirror Committee will participate in the development of the international standard aimed at assisting organisations in integrating the economic constraints and the principles and issues of social responsibility as described in ISO 26000 Guidance on social responsibility, within the purchasing process, independent of their activity and size.  The standard is intended for stakeholders involved in or impacted by procurement processes and decisions.

Consumer representatives are expected to participate in all meetings of their committee, to participate in out of meeting electronic communication and to develop their standards through negotiation and consensus with the rest of the committee. The Committee will meet 3-4 times per year (some via teleconference)  and representatives are reimbursed for their travel expenses.

Standards are published documents setting out specifications and procedures designed to ensure products, services and systems are safe, reliable and perform the way they were intended. They establish the common language which defines quality and safety criteria.

More information is available about Standards Australia and the CFA Standards Project

Please send your details to the Standards Coordinator standards@consumeraction.org.au  by 28 May 2014.

For further information please contact the Standards Coordinator standards@consumeraction.org.au

Photo Credit: The Uprooted Photographer (cc)