We specialise in managing the development of Standards. Standards provide potential solutions to issues, resolve problems, provide a means of compliance with legislation, or create commercial benefits such as trading opportunities.
Standards New Zealand uses a robust and recognised process that relies on expert committee consensus and widespread consultation with affected parties, including public input. Our Standards are formally approved by the Standards Council (in accordance with the requirements of the Standards Act 1988).
Who initiates the development of a Standard?
A wide range of private and public organisations help initiate and fund the development of Standards. In many cases these are industry bodies or government departments.
Why fund the development of a Standard?
- The process is independent, balanced and consensus based.
- Standards New Zealand coordinates a cross-section of representatives across a range of sectors.
- The industry/sector is fully involved in developing Standards, resulting in widely-accepted, workable and practical solutions.
- The inclusive process, involving consultation and public comment, generates wide support and interest.
- Standards New Zealand is able to draw on international Standards.
- Developing Standards through the Standards New Zealand process is cost effective compared to developing similar documents in house.
To find out more about funding the development of a Standard:
How is a Standard developed?
The content in a Standard is developed by independent expert committees. Committees are made up of volunteers nominated by organisations (public and private) that have an interest in the subject covered by the Standard.
Once the content for the Standard is written a draft is made available on our website in for anybody to comment on. This process is called public comment. Comments submitted during the public comment period are reviewed by the committee and if necessary the Standard is modified.
More information on the Standards development process and the benefits of involvement are outlined in the document Standards Development Committees [PDF 1.8 MB].
Standards development process
→ Text version of the Standards development process diagram
What is Standards New Zealand’s role in developing Standards?
Our role is to manage the process described in the diagram above using internationally recognised best practices. The processes we use comply with the directives from the International Organization for Standardization, the International Electrotechnical Commission, and the Standards Act 1988.
We market and distribute published Standards to the people that the Standard was developed to help.