Aurea Norma

Abstract: The aim of this thesis was mainly to find out the conditions under which a modernisation of the standardisation process could realistically take place, in order to allow the inclusion of parameters that are currently ignored. The necessary balance between private interests and public good issues, and the need to take into the discussions leading to the adoption of standards, their generally heavy socio-economic consequences, are especially taken into consideration. The research is based on the consequences drawn from direct participation in the standardisation process, mainly in Brussels, but the broad scope chosen allows for not more than a very general discussion on the ways new stake-holders could participate, within the frame of a new institutional setting, in order to allow it to include social, political, cultural and ethical dimensions, considered today crucial.