Chapter 20 - Harmonization of International Standards

Abstract

Harmonization of international standards is critical if countries and food processors want to benefit from globalization. Harmonization of standards, specifications, and regulations is critical to international trade. Harmonization allows companies to understand the minimum regulatory and customer requirements of international markets. This in turn allows companies to produce goods for those markets. There are a number of public, private, and government-to-government organizations that are involved in harmonization of standards. The primary objective of these efforts is to reduce the barriers to trade, thus increasing a freer movement of food products among countries. These efforts bring financial benefits to the companies that take advantage of new markets and to the countries that reap the benefit of an increase in their gross domestic product.