PAS in ISO stands for Publicly Available Specification. It's a fast-track standardization process within ISO/IEC JTC 1 that allows organizations to submit their specifications directly for country voting, with the potential to become ISO/IEC standards.
Understanding Publicly Available Specifications (PAS)
A Publicly Available Specification (PAS) represents a specific type of document within the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It offers a route for external organizations to have their specifications considered for adoption as international standards more quickly than through the standard ISO process.
Key Aspects of PAS:
-
Origin: PAS documents typically originate from industry consortia, individual companies, or other standards-developing organizations that aren't directly part of the ISO/IEC structure.
-
Fast Track: The PAS route offers a faster path to standardization compared to traditional ISO processes. This is crucial for quickly adopting innovative technologies or addressing urgent industry needs.
-
Submission Process: Organizations accredited as valid PAS Submitters can submit their specifications. These submissions undergo a voting process by participating countries.
-
Potential Outcomes:
- Becoming an ISO Standard: If the PAS receives sufficient support during the voting process, it can be adopted as an official ISO standard.
- Remaining a PAS: The specification may remain a PAS if it doesn't garner enough support to become a full standard. It then serves as a publicly available document that provides useful information and guidance.
- Abandonment: The process might be abandoned if significant issues arise during the voting process.
Benefits of the PAS Route:
- Speed to Market: Enables quicker adoption of new technologies.
- Industry Alignment: Facilitates industry consensus and interoperability.
- Global Recognition: Provides broader visibility and acceptance for a specification.
Example Scenario:
Imagine a consortium develops a specification for a new data compression algorithm. Instead of going through the full ISO committee process, they submit it as a PAS. If member countries approve, the algorithm could quickly become an ISO standard, promoting its adoption worldwide.
In Summary
PAS provides an efficient and responsive mechanism for bringing industry-developed specifications into the realm of international standardization, benefiting both the developers and the wider community through faster innovation and improved interoperability.
