Global standards drive trade but widen gap between rich and poor countries, World Bank warns

Published on : 11 Dec 2025, 12:29 pm Summary

Global standards now affect almost 90% of world trade, up from 15% in the late 1990s.

The World Bank warns they are widening inequalities between advanced and developing economies.

EU’s CBAM climate policy places heavy reporting burdens on low-income exporters.

Developing nations have minimal representation in standard-setting bodies such as ISO.

Without greater participation, poorer countries risk costly technological lock-ins and reduced policy autonomy.

A fast-growing web of international standards, governing everything from food labels and cargo containers to electric-vehicle chargers and 5G networks, is quietly reshaping the global economy while widening inequalities between rich and poor nations, according to a new World Bank r