The Role of Standards Australia International Training Program 2006 Standards Issues 8 th September 2006 Johit Daas

Johit Das Projects Manager Communications, IT & e- Commerce Standards Australia

Agenda Introduction to Standards Australia (SA) Standards development procedure International relationships Standards Australia committees Conclusion

Standards Australia – since 1922 Standards Australia is recognized by the government as Australia’s peak standards body. It develops Australian Standards ® of public benefit and national interest and supports excellence in design and innovation through the Australian Design Awards. Standards Australia develops standards in the areas of Building, Utilities, Business, Community, Materials and Information Technology.

Our mission To excel in meeting Australia’s need for contemporary, internationally-aligned standards and related services which enhance the nation’s economic efficiency, international competitiveness, and fulfil the community desire for a safe and sustainable environment.

How is Standards Australia funded? Standards Australia is not-for-profit. It produces standards of public benefit and in the national interest. It is free from the pressure of creating standards based on their ability to ‘sell’. Standards Australia is funded by: - investment portfolio; - commonwealth funding; - royalties.

What is a standard? A standard is a published document which sets out specifications and procedures designed to ensure that a material, product, method or service is fit for its purpose and consistently performs the way is was meant to perform.

Why are standards important? National Interest: Standards are the common denominator in countless business transactions. They add value through enhanced organisational intelligence, operational efficiency and deliver measurable competitive advantage both nationally and in overseas markets.

Why are standards important? – continued Public Benefit: Standards promote confidence in products and services. They establish order, provide convenience, safety, quality and reliability, compatibility of systems and components, and they protect the environment.

Who develops the standards? Standards Australia facilitates the development of standards by bringing together a committee of experts from a wide range of representative interest groups to work to formulate or revise standards. Broad-based representation and agreement results in a standard that best matches the needs and values of our society as a whole. There are around 8,200 experts on 1576 technical committees.

Who develops the standards? – continued Members of Standards Australia committees represent: - Consumer and end-user interests; - Government: Federal, State and Local; - Commercial and retail interests; - Trade unions; - Research, academic and testing organizations; - Professional bodies; - Manufacturers and industry.

How are standards developed? - Committee members work through a process of discussion and debate. They are obliged to work towards consensus; - 80% agreement is required before a standard is finalized and no major sectional interest can maintain a negative vote; - Standards Australia is a neutral facilitator; - Standards Australia staff do not have any voting rights or powers to influence committee decisions.

How are standards developed? – continued Standards Australia committees use web-based authoring and document management tools. New video-conferencing technology is currently being explored to enable ‘virtual’ committees. An ever-increasing proportion of work involved in developing a standard can now be done remotely, keeping the cost of committee meetings to a minimum.

Project approved Preliminary Draft Committee Draft Draft for Public Comment Consideration of Comment Draft for Postal Ballot The Published Standard Request for New Standard Project Creating a new Australian Standard

Are standards mandatory? Observance of Australian Standards ® is voluntary unless they are mandated by a contract or commonwealth or state government legislation. Currently, about 2400 of the total 6856 standards published have become mandatory by government legislation.

Key statistics for standards published drafts issued - 22 other publications technical committees committee members Standards Australia staff - 17 ISO/IEC/JTC secretariats

Some popular standards - Quality management systems (AS/NZS ISO 9000) - Risk management (AS/NZS 4360) - General conditions of contract (AS 4000) - Corporate governance (AS ) - National timber framing code (AS 1684) - Electrical installations, wiring rules (AS/NZS 3000)

Standards development areas - Building and Utilities: fundamental engineering standards which underpin the modern construction industry and add to the safety, efficiency and cost-effectiveness - Business: contemporary standards to assist businesses to perform more effectively in highly competitive markets

Standards development areas – continued - Community: covers a wide range of topics including consumer products, food, health, health informatics, transport, environmental issues - Materials: standards relating to occupational health and safety, materials science, textiles and mechanical engineering - Information Technology: innovative standards encapsulating communications, technology and e-commerce.

Australian Design Awards The ADA, a division of Standards Australia, is a national program dedicated to raising the profile and significance of professional design in Australia. The Awards program recognizes and rewards excellence in design and innovation through a world-renowned application and assessment process. For more info:

Our publishing partner Our standards, Australian Standards ®, are published, distributed and marketed by SAI Global under a license agreement. Royalties paid to Standards Australia, from this agreement, are put back into the business of developing standards of public benefit and national interest.

International relationships Standards Australia is Australia’s member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand enjoy a close working relationship underpinned by a memorandum of understanding.

International relationships – continued Standards Australia adopts International Standards wherever possible. Australia's obligations under the World Trade Organization's Code of Practice. 33% of current Australian Standards are fully or substantially aligned with International Standards.

International relationships – continued Member of Joint Technical Committee (JTC1) of IEC & ISO on Information Technology IEC -CISPR (International Special Committee on Radio Interference) -TC 77 A, B & C (Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) -TC 80 (Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems) -TC 106 (Human Exposure to EM fields)

Standards Australia Committees – communications related TE-003 Electromagnetic Compatibility TE-007 Human Exposure to EM Fields RC-004 Radiocommunications Equipment Maritime RC-006 Radiocommunications Equipment General CT-001 Communications Cabling CT-002 Broadcasting & Related Services

TE-003 EMC Is the peak national committee TE-003 adopts IEC CISPR documents Responsible for Australian representation on international EMC standards setting bodies Contact point for other SA committees on EMC issues Oversees the work of its subcommittees

TE-003 Work Program Composed of representatives from nominating organisations Monitors and prepares Australia's position on issues arising Final Australian vote on draft International Standard Development of AS/NZS EMC standards

TE-003 Subcommittee A sub-committee is constituted to consider matters arising from AS/NZS standards development. Review comments and/or negative votes Prepare draft Australian variations to international or regional standards e.g. Broadband over Powerline (BPL) Communications

RC-004 & RC-006 Maritime Safety Standards - Personal locator beacons AS/NZS 4280:2005 Amds - Maritime Survivor locating systems AS/NZS 4869:2006 General radiocommunications - Short range devices AS/NZS 4268: Amd1&2 - Site standards AS/NZS 3516:200X parts 1 & 2 Mandatory Standards Modifies International Standards Develops home grown Standards

CT-001 Communications Cabling CCM is the industry reference document on regulations and Standards. Provides : - Guidance on regulatory licensing regime - Relevant Standards & communications guide Develops home grown cabling Standards

Communications Cabling Manual 3 rd Edition Four modules: Target Date is December 2006 Module 1: HB 243:2006 Australian regulatory arrangements Module 2: HB 29:2006 Communications cabling handbook Module 3: HB 252:2006 Residential communications cabling handbook Module 4: Regulatory Standards: AS/ACIF S008:2006, Requirements for authorised cabling products AS/ACIF S009:2006, Installation requirements for customer cabling (Wiring Rules) A series of Voluntary Standards: AS/NZS 308X series and related ISO/IEC Standards

Conclusion Standards are living documents, which reflect progress in science, technology and systems. They define quality and safety criteria for producers and users, and also encourage consumers to accept products and services more readily, when they accord with Standard requirements.

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