THREE INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS COOPERATE ON STANDARDS FOR ELECTRONIC
BUSINESS
17 November 1998
Today, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
(UN/ECE), the International Organization for Standardization
(ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
sign another Memorandum of Understanding on standardization in electronic
business. Also participating, as international user groups,
are CALS*/ International (Continuous
Acquisition and Lifecycle Support) and NATO CALS Organization.
This Memorandum extends the previous framework of cooperation
to cover electronic business within and between enterprises.
UN/ECE's Centre for the Facilitation of Procedures and
Practices for Administration, Commerce and Transport (CEFACT) is
the worldwide focal point within the United Nations system for
the development of trade-facilitation measures and the UN/EDIFACT
standard for electronic data interchange, which are seen as
fundamental to effective trade facilitation.
ISO is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies. Its mission is to promote the development of
standardization and related activities in the world, with a view
to facilitating international exchange of goods and services and
to developing cooperation in the spheres of intellectual,
scientific, technological and economic activity. The results of
ISO's technical work are published as international standards.
IEC is the worldwide authority for developing,
publishing and promoting voluntary consensus international
standards in electrotechnology aimed at facilitating
international exchange of goods and services.
CALS International is a worldwide non-governmental
organization that develops standards requirements for electronic
business among international industrial organizations. It ensures
that the standards facilitate the use of electronic information
exchange within and between enterprises throughout the supply
chain and the entire lifecycle of a product. NATO CALS is the
intergovernmental focus for international military cooperation on
standards for electronic business.
The Memorandum of Understanding provides an effective base for
the development of electronic business in the twenty-first
century. It is an excellent example of cooperation between the
United Nations and the private sector.
Further details can be obtained from:
Mr. Jean Kubler
Trade Division
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE)
Palais des Nations
CH - 1211 GENEVA 10, Switzerland
Tel: (+41 22) 917 2774
Fax: (+41 22) 917 0037
E-mail: [email protected]
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*/ CALS is defined as a strategic
management concept that uses the best available information
technology, management methods and international standards to
increase the effectiveness of organizations. It allows
enterprises to be integrated on a worldwide basis, thereby
facilitating electronic commerce within and between
organizations.