Improving Global Quality of Life

7 Needs and challenges in legal codes, rules and standardisation
7.3.4 IIW help for developing nations
IIW began primarily with developed industrial nations as the member countries, due to the fact that the
knowledge and understanding of welding was with these members. Over the years it became obvious that
technology transfer of this knowledge needed to occur to the less developed countries if world trade was to
occur effectively and efficiently.
There is also an ongoing need for simple, practical means for improving water, food, fuel, shelter, health and
education especially for children and youth. Developed nations must help on humanitarian grounds alone;
and the spinoff for the world should be reduced tensions and gain for all.
One of the greatest needs for IIW was to find a sustainable method to provide technical knowledge to
the emerging economies and economies in transition so that they could improve their quality of life and
contribute to their economic future. This challenge has been partially addressed by technology transfer
workshops and providing mechanisms for these countries to become members of IIW and access to welding
knowledge and experts.
Many of the technical reports that are issued annually by IIW are of use and value to the emerging countries,
but many are above the basic needs of these countries. There is a great need to develop and provide
appropriate welding information in a manner that can be implemented directly at the particular user level.
This challenge is currently being addressed through the mechanism of International Congresses that are
held in specific regions where the countries in those regions can gather and share information through a
conference, an exhibition, personal contacts or other means.
The development of ISO standards through IIW has also contributed to the need for better understanding of
various government regulations and trade policies. Through collaboration with ISO TC 44 (the ISO Technical
Committee on Welding) and CEN TC 121 (the European Committee on Welding) practical welding standards
have been, and are being, developed that are globally relevant, to assist the manufacturing industry in world
trade. While the need is still beyond what is currently being delivered, this challenge is being addressed by
an increasing number of IIW Working Units developing ISO Technical Reports.
7.4 Needs in laws, standards and technical information
7.4.1 Welding Industry involvement
All welding personnel need to help as far as reasonably practicable to help ensure laws and standards of
their country are optimum at least for the immediate future, keeping in mind we are all part of a world
where interdependency is increasing. Both are important documents which influence the use of welding
technology and proactive, progressive input from industry can improve both.
These documents should where practicable be computerised and be available to industry – easily and if
possible freely unless a fee is needed to cover costs. IIW and industry need to assist in the feed-back of
successes and failures. This is a powerful way to learn from others and inspire innovation for improvement.
A guide for the welding industry is needed on up-to-date fair realistic practice on copying anything and fair
use of intellectual property.
Our biggest need in 2012 is help to overcome the global economic and other disasters which will hurt all of
us – some much more than others. We need also to learn from these disasters how to behave and to have
suitable controls or watchdogs to avoid repetition of failure. We want as much freedom as possible and the
right balance of essential controls. IIW and member countries need to continue to give best information and
advice to their members and general industry on how to tackle these and other problems.
Through Optimum Use and Innovation of Welding and Joining Technologies
Improving Global Quality of Life
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