Standardization in free trade increasingly plays a very important role. In free trade, standardization becomes an instrument that can support as well as control of market and market behavior. Even so, there are still many problems related to standardization appearing in line with the increase of trade dynamics. Therefore, the development process of standardization must be supported by the results of scientific studies which are always based on a concrete foundation which can be accounted for.
Deputy Head of Research and Standardization Cooperation, Ir. TAR Hanafiah, M.Sc., made the statement representing the Head of BSN (National Standardization Agency) during the opening of Scientific Meeting and Presentations for Standardization (PPIS) held by BSN and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Thursday (15/7).
Various scientific studies have to follow the rules of science and technology as well as always to keep up and follow of industry and trade dynamics. To support the organizational goals, R & D standardization network should be provided and developed. This can be done by providing facilities that can accommodate the results of research and studies that support the development of standardization.
She added that various provisions of facilitations are considered important because research and development activities in the field of standardization is not only done within the National Standardization Agency, but also by others who pay attention to the issue of standardization. "Hence the Scientific Meeting and Presentation for Standardization Forum is one means that is used for that purpose and the current theme ‘The development of Research & Development Result and Energy Efficiency Standardization’. As it is known that energy is one of the resources that is used by a company or organization in producing goods," said Hanafiah at the UGM University Club.
It is recorded that the energy consumed by industrial, household, commercial, transportation, and other continues to increase every year. The increase of energy needs by the various sectors must also be balanced with the availability of the energy sources itself. In addition, the factor of quality, health, safety, security, and environment that has become the current world’s concern must also be considered. One of them is by the use of standard associated with energy and the environment. "One of them is the new ISO 50001 which was launched last June. Implementation of the ISO 50001 management system will at least produce some benefits, among other things, financially and environmentally," she explained.
Energy management system that has been set can help to achieve short-term survival of an organization/company when the price of energy is very expensive or when available energy supply is scarce. In addition, energy management can also help organizations/company to realize their long-term success and can be utilized as an investment. ISO 50001 is a pragmatic standard that will help companies to integrate energy management with business practices. This allows multinational companies to reduce energy costs and improve the efficiency use of the entire global supply chain. "The application of this standard is expected to contribute to the more efficient use of available energy resources, improve competitiveness, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other things that are related to environmental impacts," she continued.
According to Hanafiah, the ISO has conducted a pilot implementation for the ISO 50001 standard: first is the experience of big industry when company can reduce energy usage as much as 17.9% over two years. At the same time, the principles of ISO 50001 are also successfully implemented by small businesses that employ 36 people. In two years, it turns out that the company can save energy by 14.9%.
In addition to ISO 50 001, related to issues of quality, health, safety, and environment, there is still a standard that can be used as a minimum safety standard to reduce the hazards up to the safe levels. Meanwhile, BSN has adopted the ISO 14000 standard ranging from environmental management system to the latest ISO 14064 parts 1, 2, and 3, together with ISO 14065 and ISO 14066 related to the Green House Gases and ISO 26000:2010 on Guidance for Social Responsibility.
In practice, many aspects of economic, social, and environmental arise and require studies that need to be implemented carefully and have to stick to the principle on the proper research rules. For example, compulsory requirement of some standards related to kerosene energy conversion program to LPG, which raises many problems in its implementation and requires careful study to address the emerging issues.
Another example, related to the utilization of biomass, the type and quantity of biomass need to be studied as well as the benefits and business opportunities that may be developed. "All of these studies require a medium for their publication, one of those is this PPIS forum, and through the PPIS it is expected to get results that are useful for the development of standardization in Indonesia, particularly related to standardization for energy efficiency," she expressed her hope.