Role in the technical infrastructure
Standards Australia was established in 1922 and is the nation’s peak independent standards organisation. It is charged by the Australian Government to meet Australia’s need for contemporary, internationally aligned standards and related services.
The work of Standards Australia enhances the nation’s economic efficiency and international competitiveness and contributes to community demand for a safe and sustainable environment.
Standards Australia’s processes are open, transparent and consensus based. This unbiased standards development process ensures that all competing interests are heard, their points of view considered and consensus reached. Standards Australia works with international and Specialist Regional Bodies and government on issues of conformance and assessment. Standards Australia’s roles are recognised in its Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Government.
Structure and governance
Standards Australia is a public company limited by guarantee. More than 90 of Australia’s leading industry, government and consumer organisations form the membership of the Standards Australia. These members elect the Board of Directors and the Chair. Standards Australia’s Standards Development and Accreditation Committee (SDAC) is responsible for the general oversight of standards development in Australia.
Operations
Standards Australia facilitates and manages the development, adoption and maintenance of Australian Standards and other related solutions including Handbooks, Guides, Technical Specifications and Technical Reports.
Standards Australia does this by providing a neutral environment and rigorous governance framework in which government, industry, consumer, academic, professional, community and employee bodies can discuss and debate issues with the aim of developing standards solutions in an efficient way.
The processes of Standards Australia are based on a balance of interest, transparency, openness and consensus. Standards Australia looks to adopt international standards to the maximum extent possible. In accordance with its international obligations, Standards Australia is obligated to develop Australian Standards based on international standards, unless there is a justifiable reason not to do so because of fundamental climatic or geographical factors or technological problems. Only in the absence of an appropriate existing international standard, and after an assessment that the proposed standard will not be anti-competitive, will a committee proceed to prepare a draft for a new Australian Standard. The draft document is then made available for public comment.
Standards Australia is also responsible for ensuring Australia’s viewpoint is heard and considered in the development of international standards and their subsequent adoption as Australian Standards.
Standards Australia is not part of government or a regulator and is not responsible for enforcing compliance or certification with Australian Standards.
Standards Australia supports the accreditation of other Standards Development Organisations through the SDAC. The SDAC’s role is to encourage and accredit organisations to develop Australian Standards of credibility and integrity for the net benefit of the Australian community.
Standards Australia works with industry, government and consumer interests in Australia and internationally on a range of areas such as cloud computing, quantum, forensics, consumer safety, building and construction, manufacturing, and quality management systems where necessary, appropriate and in the national interest.
International engagement
Standards Australia plays a key international role as Australia’s representative to the main industry-led standards development organisations, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
These organisations develop international standards on which world markets and international conventions are based. They make trade between countries easier and fairer and are a safeguard for users and consumers, resulting in many aspects of our lives being made much simpler.
Regional cooperation
As part of the Closer Economic Relations agreement, Standards Australia maintains strong links with Standards New Zealand. Both are party to a formal agreement for preparing and publishing joint Australian/New Zealand Standards where appropriate. This agreement has recently been enhanced to support innovation and strengthen trade, as well as consumer protections, across the Tasman. Standards Australia is a founding and leading member of the Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC) and also cooperates closely with the government in the standards and conformance activities of APEC and AANZFTA. Standards Australia actively participates in the Specialist Regional Bodies Forum and works closely with government on trade related matters.