Coordinating trans-Tasman collaboration with Shaayal Sukul
Senior Advisor Joint Standards Shaayal Sukul has been leading New Zealand’s involvement in thousands of joints standards over the years. Learn about her crucial work, the importance of trans-Tasman standards and how you can play a part in supporting New Zealand’s involvement in future projects.
Senior Advisor Joint Standards Shaayal Sukul
Since 1980, Australia and New Zealand have worked together to develop joint standards to make life and business easier by keeping things consistent across the Tasman. Joint trans-Tasman standards help create a smooth-running larger market with shared rules, quality, safety, and testing requirements, cutting down trade barriers and supporting key trade agreements.
Since joining Standards New Zealand in October 2020, Shaayal Sukul has played a pivotal role in maintaining joint AS/NZS standards that underpin everyday life. As the Senior Advisor Joint Standards, Shaayal coordinates New Zealand’s involvement in joint Trans-Tasman standards development, ensuring our standards align with Australia’s for seamless trade and shared best practices.
Shaayal works closely with Standards Australia on joint project proposals that can include development of AS/NZS, revision of existing standards or sometimes adoption of international standards.
‘At any given time, projects can cover a hugely diverse range of sectors and industries', Shaayal explains. ‘Almost anything you can think of, from surgical equipment and laboratory safety to plumbing materials and playgrounds. Each of these will be of interest to different audiences, niches, and industry providers.
'A key component of the work is reaching out to a wide range of stakeholders—regulators, industry associations, consumer groups, to find the right experts to get involved in the development committee. Part of the robust process when establishing a committee is ensuring we have balanced, sector-wide representation and prevent organisational bias or monopolies. This means standards are developed by industry for industry.
'New Zealand Committee members are essential to joint trans-Tasman standards. Without them, a standard can’t proceed as a joint trans-Tasman standard.'
Once a project is underway, Shaayal manages everything from arranging drafts for public consultation to preparing board papers that outline project details, committee composition, and potential impacts on international trade.
Shaayal’s work is vital to maintaining New Zealand’s voice in the development of joint standards – a practice that has been in place for more than forty years and led to thousands of trans-Tasman AS/NZS standards used throughout New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Island business.
‘Joint standards are crucial for efficient trade, market access, regulatory compliance, safety and interoperability of products, services and workforces,’ she emphasizes. ‘They help kiwi businesses save money and make it easier to sell products into the Australian markets. If we’re not involved, we risk being left behind. While we – and the committee members - operate in the background, standards are everywhere—from your home to outer space. They are vital for New Zealand business to succeed.’
Shaayal finds the work rewarding and dynamic. ‘No day is the same. It’s exciting. Helping to connect hundreds of committee volunteers and commissioners with work that makes an impact, feels meaningful.’
The value of the work - and that of all those who contribute the development of trans-Tasman standards - can be seen in our new video with standards users explaining their importance to their businesses.
How trans-Tasman standards are helping New Zealand businesses(external link)
If you use trans-Tasman AS/NZ standards in your work, or your organisation relies on them for the work you do, we’d love to hear from you if you can get involved in their maintenance. Learn more about participation on development committees or get in touch if you’d like to help fund their development in future.