TURKLAB 2024 “The Role and Importance of Conformity Assessment in the Global Economy“

TURKLAB 2024 “The Role and Importance of Conformity Assessment in the Global Economy“

Shaping the Future of the Sector

On November 7, 2024, TURKLAB's "The Role and Importance of Conformity Assessment in the Global Economy Conference" brought together representatives from the public and private sectors as well as industry professionals.

The event focused on:

• Compliance with global standards in conformity assessment
• The importance of conformity assessment programs
• Digitalization in conformity assessment and its impact on sustainability and assessment processes

The Changing Landscape of Conformity Assessment

With advancements in technology, an increasing focus on sustainability, and evolving consumer expectations, the conformity assessment sector faces both exciting opportunities and significant challenges. The sector is rapidly evolving due to new regulations, a growing need for efficiency, transparency, and trust in global supply chains, and the necessity for faster adaptation to technological change.

As access to information becomes easier, stakeholders must not only stay up to date with innovations but also proactively adapt to them, facing both threats and opportunities simultaneously.
Conference Highlights

The conference was attended by approximately 200 industry representatives, and the opening speeches were delivered by key figures in the conformity assessment sector, including:

• Halit Karaboğa, President of the TURKLAB Board of Directors
• Dr. Süleyman Zühtü Can, Deputy Director of TÜBİTAK UME
• Aykut Kırbaş, Secretary General of TSE
• Banu Müderrisoğlu, Secretary General of TÜRKAK
• Hakkı Karabörklü, General Director of Product Safety and Inspection, Ministry of Trade

Industry professionals and academics discussed topics shaping the future of the sector from different perspectives. Throughout the day, speakers highlighted opportunities in global market access and the criteria that need to be harmonized for successful conformity assessment in digitalization and sustainability.

Presentations on successful voluntary certification programs in glass, concrete, and fire safety attracted great interest, demonstrating their economic value to both the sector and the national economy.
Key Topics Discussed

• The Economic Impact of Conformity Assessment
• Standardization and Conformity Assessment Programs with Sectoral Case Studies
• The Relationship Between Conformity Assessment and Sustainability, Green Transformation, and Digitalization
• The Role of Laboratories in Enhancing Global Trade
• Success stories from conference sponsors related to conformity assessment

Panel on ""The Future of Conformity Assessment""

The panel explored:

• Examples of digitalization in conformity assessment
• The global market size of conformity assessment and the potential for growth in Türkiye
• Technological advancements in digitalization, including AI, IoT, blockchain, and machine learning
• Opportunities and threats in international trade and the roadmap for the sector’s transformation

The conference underscored how digitalization and sustainability will reshape the conformity assessment sector, ensuring a more effective alignment with global standards. TURKLAB emphasized the importance of not only contributing to the establishment of future standards but also taking a leading role in their creation.

At the end of the event, plaques were presented to the speakers, and a group photo was taken.

In this journey to define the role and significance of conformity assessment in the global economy, we explored together what these changes mean for the sector and its stakeholders and, more importantly, how we must evolve for a sustainable future.

As author and business strategist Seth Godin once said:
"The only thing worse than starting something and failing is not starting something at all."

"LET'S SHAPE THE FUTURE OF GLOBAL TRADE THROUGH CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT TOGETHER!"

 

Click here for the Conference Summary Report

 

Click here for the Conference Presentations