Standards:

Assessment activity related to standards should focus on

1. measuring compliance and
2. the reasons for compliance / non-compliance

based on intensive discussion with groups (key impactees plus a sample of the overall impacted population) affected. Such information should be inputed into formulation of standards. In some cases, e.g., involving clear evidence of significant health risks, international standards should be implemented; in other cases, it may be appropriate to implement local standards that differ from those in first world countries. In some cases, "phasing in" of standards over a number of years to those prevailing in first world countries is a sensible alternative. Ongoing assessment processes are needed to generate a dynamic rather than static Standards environment.

However, in reality, many countries, including East Asian countries, lack the Research and Development Capacity to formulate their own standards.

Reference: Synthesis study on Modalities for Environmental Assessment for Integrating Environmental Considerations into Economic Policy Making Processes: East and Southeast Asia, ESCAP, 1998, unpublished.