Chilean Standards and the National Institute for Standardization (INN)
National Institute for Standardization (INN)
The National Institute for Standardization (INN) is a private foundation founded by the Corporacion de Fomento de la Produccion (CORFO). As a technical and non-profit agency, it serves as the legal continuation of the National Institute for Technological Research and Standardization (Inditecnor).
The INN’s primary functions include:
- Developing and disseminating Chilean standards (NCH)
- Conformity assessment
- Coordinating the National Metrology Network
- Providing training in quality management systems and specific regulations
These activities aim to strengthen national quality components, enhancing competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.
Objectives of the INN Quality Management System
The INN Quality Management System strives to:
- Achieve leadership positions in asset quality
- Gain recognition among various national stakeholders and the national authority
- Obtain and maintain international recognition for relevant units
- Add value to quality components based on the country’s productive and social needs
- Promote synergies among different actors within quality components
- Disseminate concepts associated with quality components nationwide
- Develop internal expertise by establishing policies and implementing training programs for human and institutional resources
- Implement effective reporting and monitoring systems to improve overall management and business efficiency at INN, ensuring compliance with governing principles
- Enhance the institutional culture of quality through the implementation of processes within the Quality Management System and staff involvement
National Registry of Consultants
The National Registry of Consultants (INN) is a public list containing information on consultants (individuals and legal entities) authorized to provide specialized consultancy services in management systems using CORFO promotional instruments.
The Registry currently operates in the following areas:
- Management System for SMEs (NCh2909)
- Food Safety Management System (NCh-ISO22000)
- Environmental Management System (ISO14001 – NCh14001)
- Quality Management System (ISO9001 – NCh9001)
- Clean Production Agreements (APL)
- Staggered System of Continuous Improvement (SEMC)
- Occupational Risk Prevention Management System (NCh18001)
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP – NCh2861)
- Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
- Energy Efficiency
- Tourism Services
Standardization
What is a Standard?
A standard is a publicly available document of knowledge, adopted by consensus and a recognized body. It provides rules, criteria, or characteristics for common and repeated use in activities or their results, aiming to achieve an optimal level of order within a given context.
How is a Standard Made?
Developing a standard begins with identifying the need for regulation in a specific area, considering existing international standards. If no rules exist, perhaps due to the subject’s specificity or novelty, regional or company-specific standards are sought.
The process involves:
- Identifying the need by INN or public/private sectors
- Forming a technical committee to draft the standard
- Submitting the draft for public consultation, involving relevant authorities, producers, and representatives from science and technology
- Reviewing public comments by the Technical Committee and addressing relevant points
- Finalizing the text and submitting it to the INN Council for approval
Are Standards Mandatory?
All Chilean standards are initially voluntary. They become mandatory when cited in regulations (resolution, decree, or law), either specifically (e.g., complying with Chilean standard NCh382) or generally (e.g., meeting Chilean standards for safety elements).
Why are Standards Not Mandatory?
According to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Code for the Preparation of Technical Standards, standards should be voluntary, distinguishing them from mandatory technical regulations.
Why are There Fees for Studying Standards?
As a private foundation without state funding, INN relies on self-financing. Therefore, applicants are charged for the development cost of the standard.
What Does Approval or Adoption of Standards Mean?
It refers to publishing a national normative document based on a relevant international standard or endorsing an international standard as equivalent to a national policy document. Any deviations from the international standard are identified.
Why Have a Committee Meeting if the Chilean Standard Should Match the International One?
While the ideal scenario is for the Chilean standard to be identical to the international one, adaptations to national circumstances might be necessary. This could be due to a lack of testing equipment, differing practices in Chile, or other reasons deemed appropriate by the Technical Committee.
What Does it Mean for a Standard to be in Public Consultation?
A draft standard undergoes a 60-day public consultation period. During this time, any individual or institution can submit comments on its content without being a committee member.
What is the Difference Between a Chilean Standard and an Official Chilean Standard?
A Chilean Standard is a document that has undergone Technical Committee review and received INN Council approval. An Official Chilean Standard has been approved by a Minister through an order or resolution.
How is a Standard Studied?
A Chilean standard progresses through various stages: draft standard, draft standard for public consultation, official Chilean standard, and official Chilean norm. A technical committee, coordinated by a Technical Secretary appointed by INN, conducts this study.
What do the Letters N, c, cR, etc., Represent?
These initials indicate the study stages of Chilean standards:
- Of: Norma Chilena Oficial (Official Chilean Standard)
- No: Norma Chilena (Chilean Standard)
- c: Draft standard in public consultation
- cR: Review of standard in public consultation
- a: Draft standard
Can I Fund the Study of a Standard for a Product I Make or Sell in Chile?
Any individual or entity can fund the study of a specific standard. However, its inclusion in the standards curriculum depends on the policies established by the INN Board.
Study of Technical Standards
The INN encourages the participation of producers, importers, traders, consumers, users, government agencies, universities, laboratories, and research institutions in the study and adoption of Chilean standards (NCH).
The process begins with identifying the need for a standard, which can originate from INN or a request from the public or private sector. Once funding is secured, a Technical Committee is formed to develop the draft standard. International standards are considered and adapted to comply with WTO protocols. If no international standards exist, regional standards, those from other countries, or company-specific standards are consulted. The draft then undergoes public consultation, viewable on www.inn.cl.
This consultation aims to involve relevant authorities, producers, representatives from science and technology, and consumers or users. Engaging the latter group can be challenging globally, as they are often not sufficiently organized or lack awareness of technical matters.
The Technical Committee reviews comments from the public consultation and addresses relevant points. A consensus text is reached and submitted to INN for approval. Once approved, the Chilean standard is forwarded to the relevant ministry for formalization.
Chilean standards are voluntary unless mandated by law. This typically applies to standards focused on protecting the health and/or safety of people, goods, animals, or plants.
Flowchart of Technical Standard Study
Official Standards
Basic Standards
- NCh-ISO17000.Of2005 Conformity assessment – Vocabulary and general principles
- NCh-ISO17011.Of2005 Conformity assessment – General requirements for accreditation bodies that perform the accreditation of conformity assessment
- NCh – ISO17024.Of2005 Conformity assessment – General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons
- NCh-ISO17025.Of2005 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
- NCh-ISO17050/1.Of2005 Conformity assessment – Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity – Part 1: General requirements
- NCh-ISO17050/2.Of2005 Conformity Assessment – Declaration of conformity of the provider – Part 2: Supporting documentation
- NCh2.Of2006 Guide for structuring and drafting Chilean Standards
- NCh2.Of2006 Guide for structuring and drafting Chilean Standards
- NCh2993.Of2006 ISO / IEC 53:2005 Conformity assessment – Guidance for the use of the system of quality management of an organization in product certification
- NCh2993.Of2006 ISO / IEC 53:2005 Assessment Compliance – Guidance on the use of the system of quality management of an organization in product certification
- NCh2994.Of2006 ISO / IEC 60:2004 Conformity assessment – Code of Practice
- NCh2995.Of2006 ISO / IEC 67 : 2004 Conformity assessment – Fundamentals of product certification
Some Benefits and Advantages
- Reduces technical barriers to trade
- Enhances the use of productive resources in businesses
- Provides users with more information to choose suitable and safe products
- Promotes the transfer and use of new technologies
- Supports regulatory authorities by using standards as a complement to regulations
- Provides a common language for communication and understanding between different sectors
- Rationalizes productive activities
- Maximizes production capacity
- Reduces inventory
- Streamlines work processes
- Unifies minimum quality criteria
- Facilitates interchangeability of parts
- Promotes the use of appropriate machinery and tools
- Facilitates staff training
- Reduces production costs
- Increases productivity and competitiveness of companies