ANSI seeks comments on proposed common elements of ISO MSS.
Press Release Summary:
ISO Technical Management Board Joint Technical Coordination Group has released a report containing recommendations for common elements to be included across all ISO management systems standards. These elements include high-level structure, identical clause titles, consistent text and terms, and standard definitions. As the U.S. member body to ISO, ANSI invites all interested stakeholders to submit comments on the recommendations by Friday, June 24, 2011.
Original Press Release:
ANSI Seeks Comments on Proposed Common Elements for ISO Management Systems Standards
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Management Board (TMB) Joint Technical Coordination Group (JTCG) has released a report containing recommendations for common elements to be included across all ISO management systems standards (MSS). These elements include high-level structure, identical clause titles, consistent text and terms, and standard definitions. As the U.S. member body to ISO, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) invites all interested stakeholders to submit comments on the recommendations by Friday, June 24, 2011.
ISO has asked its national standards bodies (NSBs) for responses on whether they approve the report's recommendations, and whether their implementation should be mandatory or flexible. NSBs have also been invited to submit specific comments on the various common element recommendations.
At its February 2011 meeting, the ISO TMB noted that some parties have expressed serious reservations about these JTCG recommendations, including how they might be implemented, whether special circumstances could be accommodated, and what transition period for implementation would be considered.
To date, the ANSI ISO Council (AIC) has noted nearly universal negative response to the recommendations by U.S. stakeholders and U.S. Technical Activity Groups (TAGs). ANSI strongly encourages all affected U.S. parties to provide input; a liaison group comprising leadership of the ISO committees developing MSS will compile a set of comments for final approval by the AIC and submission to ISO.
The ISO TMB is expected to make final decisions on the JTCG recommendations at its February 2012 meeting, based on the results of NSB voting and responses received.
All comments on the recommendations should be sent to Steven P. Cornish, ANSI senior director for international policy (isot@ansi.org). Feedback received by the June 24 deadline will be reviewed and compiled for the ANSI position and comments, which will then be presented to the AIC for formal approval.
