| 1. |
Analysis
of the Subject (Stage 10)
|
|
The analysis of the subject allows the BNQ to determine
if a request for the development of a standard is
pertinent after a review of existing national and
international standards is undertaken.
|
| 2. |
Feasibility
(Stage 15)
|
|
A feasibility study is then undertaken in order to
answer the fundamental questions, such as, if the
expected benefits surpass the resources needed for the
project. This study allows to identify the interested
stakeholders, the possible financial sources and the
precise scope and domain of the proposed standard.
|
| 3. |
Preparation
of a Preliminary Document (Stage 20) |
|
A preliminary document is prepared by the standards
agent for the use of the technical committee members.
This preliminary document is obtained either from the
current standard for a revision project or from any
pertinent reference document.
|
| 4. |
Formation of a
Standards Committee (Stage 25) |
|
When forming a balanced standards committee , the
standards agent must gather a reasonable number of
representatives from the interest groups concerned by
the subject matter of the standard, typically:
- representatives from concerned companies
(suppliers);
- representatives of potential users;
- representatives expressing a more general interest.
|
| 5. |
Committee
Review (Stage
30) |
|
The standards agent then sets in motion the committee
work phase, which consists of holding meetings of the
committee members to establish a consensus governing the
technical contents of the standard. The standards agent
must schedule meetings, prepare notices and agendas,
facilitate meetings, act in the capacity of meeting
secretary, make corrections to, and draft, the draft
standard in light of the consensus obtained among
committee members and draft the minutes of meetings.
|
| 6. |
Correction
and Revision (Stage 35) |
|
A linguistic editing and proof-reading , carried out by
the editor/proof-reader of the BNQ and an internal
review committee, aims at ensuring that the draft
standard, for which a consensus has been obtained by the
standards committee, is sufficiently precise and
well-drafted, and that requirements specified therein
are explicit enough to avoid any ambiguity. Although the
standards committee decides on the technical content of
the draft standard, the BNQ is responsible for the
document presentation and the language quality.
|
| 7. |
Public Enquiry
(Stage
40) |
|
The purpose of the public enquiry is to verify the
acceptability of the proposed draft standard by
concerned parties. The document drafted on the basis of
a consensus, and having been subjected to a linguistic
revision, is then made available to the public for a 60
day comment period (phase 40.20). It is also sent to a
number of organizations and parties concerned by the
subject matter who may wish to comment on document
contents. The aim is to gather comments for the
committee, extend the consensus and put the finishing
touches on the draft standard by responding to the
concerns expressed by the consulted parties (phase
40.60).
|
| 8. |
Vote (Stage 50) |
|
The consensus of the committee is then confirmed by a
formal vote.
|
| 9. |
Second-Level
Review (Stade 53) |
|
Following a positive vote, the draft standard is
submitted to a second level review committee. The
purpose of this committee is to confirm that the draft
standard has been developed in conformity with the
standard development procedures and policies of the BNQ.
|
| 10. |
Publication
(Stage 60) |
|
The BNQ will proceed with the publication of a standard
only after the standards committee vote and a second
level committee vote confirming general agreement with
the final draft standard. If the standard is a NSC, an
approval by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) must
also be obtained (stage 58).
|
| 11. |
Systematic
review (Stage 90) |
|
A systematic review is undertaken approximately 5 year
after the publication date is completed. This review
allows to determine if the standard is still of value,
if it should be revised, amended, reconducted or
withdrawn. This is done through a consultation of the
stakeholders and the committee members. Following this,
a recommendation by the standards agent is given to the
BNQ steering committee.
|
| 12. |
Post
systematic review status |
|
Following the systematic review the standard is
classified in the Work Program as needing an amendment
or a revision (stage 90.92), a reconduction
[confirmation] (stage90.94) or a withdrawal (stage
90.98). |
