5) Where are we at now?
When an ISO is newly developed,
it is initialized from "00.00”
=proposal for new project received (“registration at preliminary stage”),
followed by stages up to“60.60”
=international standard published (“completion of main action at publication stage”)
Participating countries from all over the world
hold meetings and
bounce ideas.
Repeating the process of “reviewing, discussing, and voting”
within a given amount of time frame.
And moving onto the next stage on reaching an agreement.
The “numerical indication” above is to depict
the progress status with “Stage Codes.”
The first 2 digits show the current stage,
with decimal points specifying the sub-stages.
Stages:
From preliminary stage (00) to proposal, preparatory, committee,
enquiry, approval, and publication.
Sub-stages:
6 stages. Also from registration (00) to start & completion of main action,
and decision.
But the description is way too long by half.
Hence, a “matrix” is prepared for this,with the stages in vertical,
and the sub-stages in horizontal axis.
This is the so called “ISO Stage Code Matrix.”
Our current whereabouts with ISO/PC 250 is:
“20.99”
At the first London meeting,
it
was suggested by the secretariats to forward the draft to 40.00.
Japan and other countries voted against this.
Which is why it is being re-examined.
“Lobbying” in search for meeting of the minds is equally crucial at international conferences.
The next meeting is due from Apr 26thin Paris.
How will it be played out?
More after Paris…
to be continued…