Standards Australia: The Strategic Role of Standards in Global Trade and Geopolitics

Industry News October 8, 2025
Standards Australia: The Strategic Role of Standards in Global Trade and Geopolitics
NATA team

As global trade grows more complex and digital standards are no longer simply technical tools – standards are becoming instruments of strategic influence. 

That is according to Standards Australia CEO, Rod Balding, who spoke at Accreditation Matters 2025 about the ways in which countries are using standards to advance national interests, shape global norms, and secure long-term market access. 

With an international standards system under growing pressure from a combination of technological, political and structural forces, Balding highlights how a more agile, interdisciplinary approach to standards development and conformity assessment is require 

He also discusses how Australia’s ability to shape and respond to international standardisation will be critical to our long-term economic resilience and sovereignty. 

As part of World Standards Day on 14 October, we are pleased to share the full video of Balding’s presentation on the wide-reaching impact of standards.