Korea, China and Japan have agreed to cooperate in standardizing senior-friendly products, industry officials said yesterday.

Participating in the eighth Northeast Asia Standard Cooperation Forum in Guilin, China, the three decided to standardize the size and measurement of portable bathtubs, safety handles and gears that assist the elderly in their daily lives. Efforts to meet these international standards will mutually be made in phases.

"The three countries make up a sizable market in the world economy and this is another step we're taking to improve international trade efficiency," said Yoon Jeong-ku, a division director at the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards.

The agency, affiliated with the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, also proposed the standardization of "green technology," which calls for uniformity in assessing quality of plastics before they are recycled into textile goods. China and Japan are taking this under consideration.

"Active cooperation among the three countries will enable a shift in leadership from the International Organization for Standardization. It is also a preemptive step for a possible free trade agreement among the three nations," said Nam In-suk, administrator of the KATS.

The annual forum will include a separate session for an in-depth discussion from next year onwards. Possible topics include energy efficiency and welfare standards.

By Cynthia J. Kim