Engagement in the work of ISO/TC 338 on Menstrual Products continues to grow as the committee advances the development of global standards for safe and reliable menstrual products.
Last week, ISO/TC 338 convened its 8th annual meeting in Accra, Ghana, bringing together experts from around the world to further strengthen the technical work. More than 59 countries and over 140 delegates are now actively involved in developing evidence‑based standards with the potential to improve safety, quality, and trust in menstrual products globally.
In collaboration with the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), ISO/TC 338 hosted its plenary meeting in Accra, providing a valuable platform for experts to exchange experiences, accelerate standards development, and reinforce international collaboration.
Why Accra?
According to Jenny Acaralp Aromaa, Committee Manager of ISO/TC 338 at SIS, the strong twinning cooperation between SIS and GSA made Ghana a natural host. Organising international meetings in different regions also contributes to long‑term capacity building and the strengthening of partnerships within the global standardization community.
“This meeting comes at a critical moment for our work,” says Adrian Dongus from the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF). “More members than ever before have engaged in discussions on the draft standard for menstrual products. The Accra meeting enables us to consider emerging scientific evidence on contaminants, integrate robust safety requirements, and build consensus to keep the work on track for publication by the end of 2027.”
Throughout the week, participants focused on several key areas, including:
- National implementation of global standards
- Support for laboratory testing of menstrual products
- Increasing government awareness in countries where menstrual health receives limited attention
ISO/TC 338 is particularly encouraged by the growing participation from low‑ and middle‑income countries, reinforcing the committee’s commitment to inclusive, globally relevant standards development.
Please contact Jenny Acaralp Aromaa, Committee Manager of ISO/TC 338 at The Swedish Institute for Standards if you want more information.