Standards New Zealand helps represent New Zealand at APEC standards and conformance meetings in China

Malcolm MacMillan, National Manager of Standards New Zealand, helped represent New Zealand as part of a New Zealand Government delegation at the Asia‑Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings held in Guangzhou, China, in February 2026.

APEC China 2026, brought together economies from across the Asia‑Pacific region to advance a range of priorities, including: cooperation on standards, conformance, trade facilitation, avoidance of barriers to trade, food security, regulatory harmonisation, international investment, data privacy, anti-corruption measures, energy transitions, and more.

Over two days, Malcolm attended and actively participated in standards and conformance meetings involving approximately 60 officials from 21 APEC member economies. The meetings provided an important platform for dialogue on how standards, conformance, and quality infrastructure can support economic integration, innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth across the Asia Pacific region.

Advancing trade facilitation and regulatory cooperation

A central theme of the meetings was trade facilitation, with economies sharing experiences on how alignment with international standards reduces technical barriers to trade and supports smoother cross‑border commerce. Discussions emphasised the importance of active participation in international standards development, ensuring that regional perspectives, and those of small businesses are reflected in global standards and that those standards remain fit for purpose as technologies and markets evolve, at rapid pace.

Participants also explored good regulatory practice in relation to standards and conformance, highlighting the value of transparent, risk‑based regulation and consistent application of standards to build confidence for businesses and consumers alike.

Food safety, quality infrastructure, and technical capability

Food safety cooperation featured, recognising its critical role in protecting consumers and enabling agricultural trade. Delegates discussed how standards, conformity assessment, and accreditation systems underpin trust in food supply chains, particularly as trade in agri‑food products continues to expand across the Asia‑Pacific.

The meetings also examined technical infrastructure development and the strengthening of national and regional quality infrastructure, including metrology, standards, accreditation, and conformity assessment. Update reports were received from specialist regional bodies, including:

• Asia Pacific Legal Metrology Forum (APLMF)
• Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC)
• Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC)

These updates highlighted ongoing efforts to improve consistency, capability, and collaboration across member economies.

Digital transformation, AI, and emerging technologies

Delegates discussed the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and e‑commerce, including the role of standards in supporting digital trust, cybersecurity, privacy, data protection, and interoperability. Discussions addressed digital connectivity, supply‑chain standards, and the digital transformation of accreditation services, reflecting the rapid shift toward digital processes and platforms.

Several presentations showcased emerging areas of standardisation, including a United States presentation on digital twin standards and applications, and discussions on strengthening collaboration on quantum computing standardisation from Australia.

Sustainability, energy transition, and environmental standards

Sustainable economic growth through standards was a recurring theme. Participants examined standards relating to transport, tourism, energy, and anti‑corruption, as well as environmental priorities such as wastewater treatment standards, responsible disposal and management of solar panels and lithium batteries, and standards for carbon reduction.

A notable contribution came from Peru, which presented on the development of green hydrogen standards, highlighting the role of standards in supporting emerging clean‑energy markets and international investment.

Inclusion, small business, and accessibility

Standards Canada delivered several impactful presentations, including an accessibility standards project focused on marginalised community groups, (e.g. those with cognitive, intellectual and learning disabilities) and a session on the importance of including the small‑business voice in international standards development. These discussions reinforced the need for standards systems and standards publications that are inclusive and accessible, particularly for micro and small enterprises, which often face barriers to adopting and using standards.

Supporting micro and small businesses to engage with standards and conformance systems was a shared priority across economies, with delegates exchanging strategies to improve awareness, capability, and uptake.

New Zealand leadership and contributions

Malcolm MacMillan presented on New Zealand’s energy transition and energy efficiency initiatives, outlining how standards have supported industry and government sectors:

• Electric vehicle (EV) technologies
• Photovoltaic systems
• Battery storage solutions
• Energy efficiency measures
• Smart‑home technologies
• The emerging use of hydrogen energy

His presentation demonstrated how a coherent standards framework and technical specificity can accelerate technology adoption, support safety and performance, and enable innovation during periods of rapid transition.

In addition, the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment Trade Policy team presented a project proposal focused on streamlining the adoption of international standards and applying an “international‑first” policy approach to standards. The proposal received strong support from APEC member economies and will be undertaken over the next six to nine months, involving contributions from multiple countries.

Strengthening regional collaboration

The meetings also featured a wide range of economy‑led projects, including initiatives on harmonising standards, strengthening standards knowledge and capability, enhancing quality infrastructure, developing digital standards, advancing standards for electrification and sustainable energy transitions, and addressing specific trade concerns relating to steel, cybersecurity, and agricultural products.

Standards body representatives in attendance included Standards Canada, Standards Australia, Standards New Zealand, Standards Singapore, and national standards bodies from South Korea and Japan, underscoring the depth of technical expertise and collaboration present, and the relevance of standards as an economic tool and lever for Asia Pacific economies.

Malcolm MacMillan’s participation in the Guangzhou APEC meetings reinforced the importance of New Zealand’s engagement and participation in regional standards and conformance cooperation. The meetings highlighted the critical role standards play in enabling trade, market access, supporting innovation, advancing sustainability, and ensuring inclusive economic growth across the Asia‑Pacific. New Zealand’s contributions—particularly in energy transition, regulatory harmonisation, and international standards policy—were well received and positioned the country as a constructive and forward‑looking partner within APEC.

About APEC

The Asia‑Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to promote sustainable economic growth, prosperity, and integration across the Asia‑Pacific region. APEC brings together 21 member economies, representing more than 40 percent of the world’s population, nearly half of global trade, and approximately 60 percent of global GDP.

APEC operates on the basis of non‑binding commitments, consensus, and voluntary cooperation, focusing on trade and investment liberalisation, business facilitation, economic and technical cooperation, and the development and operation of effective regulatory and standards systems. Standards and conformance cooperation within APEC plays a key role in reducing technical barriers to trade, supporting innovation, and enabling inclusive and sustainable economic development across member economies.

The APEC Sub‑Committee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC) is a technical body under the APEC Committee on Trade and Investment. Its role is to facilitate trade and economic integration in the Asia‑Pacific region by reducing unnecessary technical barriers to trade arising from standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures. It promotes alignment with international standards, mutual recognition of conformity assessment where appropriate, and cooperation among economies on standards development and implementation, accreditation, metrology, and regulatory practice. It also supports capacity building, information sharing, and collaboration on emerging technologies, sustainability, and digital trade, helping ensure that standards systems are transparent, effective, supportive of innovation, small business participation, and inclusive economic growth.

Learn more about the APEC Standards and Conformance Sub Committee here:

Sub committee on standards and conformance - APEC(external link)