Provided the standards set by the early starters are transparent and do not seek to discriminate among firms by location or ownership. then others (including those who are not APEC participants) can adopt them voluntarily at any time. Once the mutual recognition of these commercial practices is seen to be delivering gains, especially in terms of increased investment and Integration production among the early starters, others will have an incentive to join in the process of mutual recognition. As bystanders" they will benefit lo some extent by the early starters setting clearly defined and transparent standards. However. to obtain significant benefits, they would also need to make their own standards transparent and to offer to become Involved in a geographically broader process of mutual recognition.