ISO rules: Global standards now drive trade, W’Bank warns developing nations

Kindly share this story:

International rules on everything from food labeling to 5G networks are quietly reshaping the global economy—and many developing countries, including Nigeria, are being left on the sidelines, according to a new World Bank report.

According to the Friday statement on its website titled, “The World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development ” the report shows that standards, once invisible, now drive trade, innovation, and economic growth as much as roads, ports, or electricity.

Yet, while wealthy nations and multinational companies benefit, countries that lack the expertise or resources to participate in setting these standards struggle to compete globally.

“Standards are both central and unsung today,” said Indermit Gill, Chief Economist of the World Bank Group and Senior Vice President for Development Economics.

“When they’re set right, they go unnoticed: the ship sails through the canal, the building withstands an earthquake, a kilogram weighs the same in Kenya as in Canada, and no one gives the gains that come a second thought.

“The standardized shipping container might well have catalyzed more trade in manufactured goods than all the trade deals put together. Digital standards could do the same for the services trade.

“When countries are active in adapting, aligning, and authoring standards, they are a powerful tool for growth and poverty reduction.

“This report is the first assessment of the role of standards in economic development–and a call to developing nations to make them a core component of their development strategies,” Gill said.

The report highlights a sharp rise in global standards over the last two decades.

More than half of the 20,000 standards issued by the International Organization for Standardization since the 1950s have been created since 2000, and in 2024 alone, global standard-setting bodies issued over 7,000 new standards.

Yet developing nations are underrepresented, sitting on less than a third of ISO’s technical committees.

“The World Bank’s decision to dedicate the 2025 World Development Report to standards sends a powerful signal: international standards are no longer invisible infrastructure—they are critical enablers of sustainable, inclusive development.

“Unlocking the full development potential of standards means ensuring all countries can participate in their creation and implement them. This report is a timely call to action to strengthen global participation and cooperation in standardisation,”  said Sergio Mujica, Secretary-General of ISO.

The report proposes a three-step framework for developing countries: adapt, align, and author. At early stages, nations should adapt international standards to local realities so that firms can learn and markets grow.

As capacity grows, they can align with global standards to compete abroad, and eventually, author new standards that reflect national priorities, it noted.

According to the release, Japan serves as a prime example. After World War II, Japanese exports were seen as low quality.

By embracing international standards and implementing Total Quality Management, the country transformed into a global leader in high-quality manufacturing.

“The lesson from the most successful economies is that standards are not just technical rules—they are the foundation for innovation and global competitiveness.

“Countries that treat standards as part of their development strategy—rather than as an afterthought—are the ones that have managed to climb the ladder of prosperity,” said Xavier Giné, Director of the 2025 World Development Report.

For developing nations,PUNCH Online states that this report is a wake-up call: participation in global standard-setting is no longer optional but essential for economic growth, trade, and innovation.

Tosin, with over six years' experience, conducts incisive interviews, pens engaging features, subedits and delivers impactful stories for the digital sphere.

Kindly share this story:

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]

UPDATE NEWS: Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25Million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder, 👉 click here to find out how it work (Be sure to ask for evidence of clients that have benefitted from this)

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.