In addition to its funded programme of products and services, Shelter Centre elaborated on its proposal at SM05b for a new service called 'Shelter Expo'. The intent of this service is to improve the appropriateness of shelter non-food items by supporting a more positive and focused relationship between the humanitarian community and the private sector manufacturer/supplier community.
Antonella Vitale of Shelter Centre discussed with the Meeting participants how Shelter Expo would operate as an on-line and off-line 'yellow pages', listing Non-Food Item (NFI) manufacturers, suppliers and products.
To be listed on Shelter Expo private sector companies would have to meet agreed standards including but not limited to performance and quality standards. Companies would also be required to sign up to a code of conduct to be agreed with the Shelter Meeting participant organisations covering topics such as the use of logos and the description of goods.