The Global Economy is Changing: Growth of International Standards Strengthens the Role of Developed Countries

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A new World Bank report shows that the rapid expansion of international standards—from product labeling to 5G networks—is gradually reshaping the global economic landscape.

These norms bring significant advantages to developed countries and large multinational corporations that set the standards, while many developing nations remain on the sidelines.

Standards are becoming a key economic infrastructure, comparable in importance to roads or ports.

The report’s authors note that the standardization of shipping containers has had a greater impact on the growth of global trade than all trade agreements over the past 60 years.

However, since the beginning of the 21st century, standards have increasingly been used as tools in trade wars: non-tariff measures now affect 90% of global trade, compared to just 15% in the late 1990s.

The report urges developing countries to view standards as a strategic growth instrument.

Experts recommend the approach of “adaptation – alignment – development”: first, adapt international standards to local conditions, then align national norms with global ones, and eventually participate in the creation of their own standards.

As an example of successful use of standards, the authors cite Japan, which after World War II was able to improve the quality of its products and become a global benchmark through systematic implementation of norms and quality standards.

According to experts, standards are no longer an “invisible infrastructure” but have become a crucial factor for sustainable and inclusive development.

For developing countries to fully leverage their potential, it is necessary to expand the participation of all nations in the process of establishing and implementing international norms.