Standards Australia's Development Pathways describe the allocation of responsibility and resourcing across the common Standards Development process. Standards Australia directs its resources to the core function of Standards Development through prioritised support of the following pathways.
Stakeholders wishing to propose a Standards Development project to Standards Australia are encouraged to discuss the pathway options with a National Sector Manager and select the most appropriate pathway for their project.
Development Pathways:
- Standards Australia Resourced
This pathway provides Standards Australia's resources, project management expertise and infrastructure. Standards Australia Resourced projects require commitment and active contribution from stakeholders over a defined period of time. Proposals for all Standards Australia resourced projects are to be submitted through the Prioritisation Process for consideration and allocation of Standards Australia's resources. This process occurs twice a year.
Under this pathway, primary project management contribution comes from stakeholders. In addition to providing the subject matter expertise, an appropriately skilled and experienced Committee, takes on project management and secretariat responsibility for the project. Committee Driven projects may be eligible for Standards Australia resourcing through the Prioritisation Process, however the main contribution comes from stakeholders.
Other pathways are also available. These are not included in or subject to the Prioritisation Process, however all proposals submitted for development through the pathways outlined below require approval by Standards Australia's Production Management Group (PMG) and are reviewed by the Standards Development Committee (SDC).
The Externally Funded pathway offers stakeholders customised solutions, greater choice in resourcing levels and accelerated project timeframes, subject to Standards Australia Standards Development processes. While Externally Funded project proposals are subject to the same assessment requirements, this pathway is not part of the Prioritisation Process. Proposals for Externally Funded projects may be submitted to Standards Australia at any time throughout the year.
Important Note:
Standards Australia welcomes proposals for Externally Funded Projects, however the provision of external funding does not give the funding entity any preferential consideration in relation to the technical content and outcome of the Standard. Standards Australia develops all Australian Standards in accordance with Standards Australia's Standardisation Guides, regardless of the source of funding.
Under this pathway, a single legal entity acts as a 'bureau' which takes responsibility for managing the Committee, its activities and projects under a formal agreement with Standards Australia. Bureau projects are resourced and managed by stakeholders with minimal Standards Australia resourcing.
- Accredited Standards Development Organisation
The Accredited SDO pathway is managed by the Accreditation Board for Standards Development Organisations (ABSDO) and allows organisations to be formally accredited as standards developers in their own right. Please see www.absdo.org.au for further details.
For further details on these pathways please contact a Standards Australia National Sector Manager or the Customer Information Service on 1800 035 822.
The Standards Australia Pathways Guide has been designed to help you understand the options available and choose the pathway best suited to your Standards Development requirements. Currently the detail contained within this Guide only includes the Standards Australia Resourced, Committee Driven and Externally Funded pathways. The details for the other pathways are currently under development and will be updated later.
For more information on the most appropriate pathway for your proposed project or to discuss any of these pathways with a Standards Australia National Sector Manager, please contact us on 1800 035 822.
International Standards Development
Standards Australia also manages Australian involvement in international projects and/or programs through the International Standards Development process described below.
In future, proposals to participate in the work of international Technical Committees via a national mirror committee will be submitted as part of the Prioritisation Process. This is to ensure Commonwealth and Standards Australia funding and resourcing is allocated and targeted effectively to represent and protect Australian interests where there is Net Benefit for the Australian community. Proponents submitting proposals for international participation may choose any of Standard Australia's Development Pathways. The level of participation, scope of the international project / program of work and the demonstrated strategic importance to Australia will determine the level of Standards Australia support, in addition to the pathway agreed on.
Stakeholders considering the adoption of an International Standard as an Australian Standard are to submit a new proposal for this work; however the original Net Benefit case for international participation may be used. While the activities are clearly related, the adoption process draws on Standards Australia's resources and is not covered by the Commonwealth grant. Streamlined processes are available, including parallel adoption where the Australian adoption of International Standards by Committees participating at the international level includes local Public Comment, review and voting in parallel with ISO and IEC international development stages.
Further details are contained in the Standards Australia Guide to the Project Prioritisation Process and Criteria.