The South Korean government has set a target to propose 300 global standards in innovative industries by 2023 to play a bigger role in standardization and trend-setting in innovations.

Under plans announced by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Thursday with an aim to increase its role in global standardization in the era of fourth industrial revolution, Korea will seek to develop 300 industrial standards including 52 in electric and self-driving automobiles, 28 in hydrogen energy, 18 in intelligent robot, 27 in smart manufacturing, and 41 in bio and health sectors. The ministry and standards-related agencies will also propose 25 industrial standards in drone and offshore construction sector, 23 in smart city and home, 33 in non-memory, 39 in display, and 14 in smart farm.

The industry ministry expected about 1,500 global standards to be developed in innovative industries by 2023 across the world, of which Korea will be able to account for 20 percent if it proposes 300 standards.

In general, not all global standards proposed by each country are adopted. It takes three to four years for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to adopt proposals after review. The industry ministry said that 70 to 80 percent of global standards proposed by Korea have been adopted in the past, a similar level to developed nations such as the United States, Japan, and Germany.

The ministry, meanwhile, also announced plans to increase local staff belonging to council and committee members of world’s three global standard organizations – ISO, International Electrotechnical Commission, and International Telecommunication Union – to 60, up from current 41, which will place Korea in a more favorable position to have its technology-based global standards be adopted as they lead overall process.

The ministry said it will actively support industry experts’ participation in global standard activities. It will also seek to newly create technical committees in different areas in ISO and IEC. It will also establish a foundation to boost business standardization activities and nurture related workforce. The ministry plans to work with Advanced Technology Center and Cooperation Organization for Standards Development to provide global standards support to 300 entities.​

By Sohn Il-seon and Lee Eun-joo

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