Our work
WITO's purpose has two limbs. The first is to develop the frameworks by which trustworthy claims about objects are made and verified. The second is to coordinate mutual recognition between the systems that already perform that verification, so that a claim examined once need not be examined again.
Activities
Frameworks, specifications, and standards. Developing, publishing, and maintaining governance frameworks, technical specifications, and standards for verifying and managing the lifecycle of credentials concerning objects, in cooperation with existing standards bodies and in areas where existing standards do not yet provide adequate coverage.
In development
Mutual recognition. Establishing and operating mutual-recognition arrangements among governance frameworks, accreditation bodies, conformity-assessment bodies, and credential issuers, including the recognition criteria, peer-evaluation procedures, and appeals mechanisms that make recognition credible rather than declared.
In development
Accreditation and oversight. Accrediting the issuers and verifiers participating in WITO's frameworks and supervising their continued compliance.
Not yet begun
Convening. Convening consultation among governments, regulators, standards bodies, industry, civil society, and academia.
Operating
Research. Conducting and publishing research on the integrity, traceability, and verifiability of objects in international commerce.
Operating
Capacity building. Training and knowledge-sharing, with particular attention to participants from developing countries and from regions underrepresented in international standards and governance.
Not yet begun
Cooperation and liaison. Cooperating with intergovernmental organisations, regional cooperation bodies, and other international organisations.
In progress