STANDARD SETTING PROCEDURE


 

PUBLIC CONSULTATION OF STANDARD

AND

STANDARD SETTING PROCEDURE

Dear Sir/Ma'am                                                                                                                                Date: October 2017

We would like to invite you for the review of the standard “ISES 2020”.

We have been working with you for so many years, and would like to have your expertise is developing the standard further. ISES is used across many verticals like natural stone industry, textile industry, garment industry, gem & jewellery industry, leather industry and many other sectors.

ISES 2020 is the revised and advanced former ISES 2000, which was developed in 1996. The ISES 2020 comprises years of work and audit experience with the ISES 2000 with various companies of different sectors. The adapted standard furthermore deeper integrates environmental aspects than before. At present we give major emphasis to the natural stone sector; but the procedures of organizing raw material and processing are similar in other industries.  Their experience should be used therefore, too, as far as possible.

The ISES 2020 relies on the responsibility of companies complying with the national regulations under labour, social and environmental laws and regulations. It is also based on internationally recognised standards developed by different organisations. It is oriented on the core labour standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO) as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

For companies and suppliers, the benefits of adopting ISES 2020 are significant. The widespread integrated management system of ISES 2020 based on the philosophy of a total quality management covers the fields of social accountability, health and safety as well as environment. It has a direct effect on the product, on process, quality and in particular on the situation of the employees. Special focus is on social and environmental aspects. So the standard does not only address relevant aspects to the employer but also treats issues which are of vital interest for the employees of a company, customers and/or other stakeholders  (Key role for avoiding child labour).

A commitment to improve working conditions and environmental aspects can lead to many benefits for a company. These are mainly organizational efficiency, easier access to foreign markets, stronger competitive position and the possibility to create sustainable employment and income to a great number of workers.

For this purpose at first we would like to have your comments on upgrading our standard by 20th March 2018 (your perspective with respect to standard and what norms / regulations can be upgraded.)

It is very important to get your opinion, especially proposals for further improvement.

We look forward to your kind feedback.

With best regards,

Dietrich Kebschull / Sukrit Sharma

The  letter  shown above was part of our activities to involve the public – i.e. all interested stakeholders – in the consultation of standards.  It has been sent in October 2017 to :

  • All stone companies in India and Germany/EU which were certified according to ISES 2020 (suppliers from quarries, transporters, processors, exporters, importers, wholesalers, distributors.)
  • Companies from the same field known to us.
  • Embassies of importing countries, associations like Indian Monument Manufacturers Association (IMMA), Federation of Indian Granite and Stone Industry (FGSI), the Chamber Apex Organizations  FICCI and Assocham; in addition leading regional chambers like  South Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SICCI), PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), Bombay Chamber, Bengal Chamber.
  • CAPEXIL as the responsible export promotion council.
  • Newspapers and magazines in India and Germany.
  • National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Quality Council of India (QCI), Office of Prime Minister and similar bodies on state level.
  • NGOs like Govardan, Sukarya,Fastens , Jaipur Rugs Foundation

They were asked to either send this information letter to their interested members or publish our request for participation and statements in their newsletters/bulletins.

A similar letter will be sent now, in addition to the announcement on our website (www.igep-zertifikation-natursteine.org), to the same group.  It will also cover the PR China, which has been included in our certifications process from beginning of 2021 onwards. It will also be published on internet media like Facebook and Linkedin.

This letter will inform about 01. January – 31. March, 2022 as period for providing proposals for changes, amendments and adjustment.  It will also clarify that physical and virtual meetings for the standard setting procedure will take place during the second quarter of 2022.  It will be taken care for a proper representation of all stakeholder groups in the discussions and decision making processes.  Here we will follow the well proven system of one third each from industry, NGO’s and public administration/academics.

Minutes of the proceedings will always be made and sent to all participants and interested parties within two weeks after the meetings.

For information about accreditation of IGEP audits please look in downloads; also for establishing ISES 2020 standards in a company.