National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology

 

Standards Formulation and Publication Services

 

The Technical Standards Division of NISIT is responsible for the development, adoption and maintenance (review and amendment) and publication of Papua New Guinea National Standards. PNG Standards are developed on consensus basis and are technically facilitated through its Technical Committees whose members are representatives from Industries, Companies, Institutions, Government Regulatory Bodies and Government Departments. The Technical Committees are governed by the NISIT Technical Standards Directives1 (1994) in ensuring a transparent and effective manner is effected by the TCs whilst maintaining a harmonized approach with the regional and international standards setting and development procedures employed by regional and international standards development organizations.

To date, there are 9 registered TCs proactively participating in the technical standards development processes. All the TCs facilitate the preparation of the PNG Standards for publication by the Institute. All PNG standards are gazetted in the National Gazette. The Technical Standards Division is responsible for facilitating and administering the publication of Papua New Guinea Standards. All published PNG Standards remain the copy right product of the Institute. To date, the Technical Standards Division has facilitated the development, adoption and publication of over 1200 PNG Standards.

 

Formulation of PNG Standards

 

PNG Standards are developed and maintained through NISIT Technical Committees comprising technical experts, academics and professionals actively involved in those respective (technical) fields. To date, the formulation of the PNG Standards are facilitated through the following TCs namely:

 

 

Here at NISIT, the standard development processes is embraced with the notion that it must be seen as being ‘industry-driven’ or ‘user-driven’ and therefore must be driven by all stakeholders and users concerned. The Institute facilitates the standards development processes through two different approaches namely the ‘Adoption Process’ and through the ‘In-Country’ stakeholder needs/requirements.

 

Adoption Process

 

The Technical Standards Division facilitates the formulation of PNG Standards through the ‘adoption processes’. In this process, basically all international, regional and foreign national standards are reviewed for adoption pending all necessary review inputs, and comments. The process may enable adoption ‘in total’ or ‘partial adoption’ of the either foreign national standard or international standard. Currently, most PNG Standards are primarily adopted in total from ISO and Australian Standards including other recognized standards (e.g., American Standards Test Methods [ASTM]).

In-Country

 

In – country standards generally reflect the notion of standards development from within the national context with specific and tailored emphasis on in-country needs and requirements. These standards are developed from within the respective in-country sectors with involvement from all the domestic-based experts and professionals and all stakeholders concern. Standards developed or adopted from the International Standards Organizations are paralleled to the Government’s Commitment to WTO, APEC, current national industrial, agricultural, social, and environmental and safety needs or from other commitments through bilateral and multiple trade obligations.

 

Publication of PNG Standards and Other related Standards

 

The Technical Standards Division is also responsible for the publication of standards. The standards can be in both hard copy and electric form. All published standards are maintained by the Division. The reference copy of these standards are maintained and shelved at the Sales and Information Centre for public display and viewing.

 

The Division provides a forum from which it issues Official notice as part of public launching of the newly published standards. NISIT Official Newsletters and PNGS Catalogue provide another avenue for publicity purposes of the newly or recently published standards.

Types of Standards

 

There are of two types; Voluntary Standards – standards which are used on voluntary basis and Mandatory Standards – standards which are bonded by Laws because they are mentioned in any PNG Legislations and Regulations. The Mandatory Standards are regulated by their respective Regulators as per their respective Technical Regulations. However, the Institute is only charged with the responsible for developing and publishing national standards which are deemed to be voluntary in nature.

 

Public Awareness and Standards Promotion

 

The Technical Standards in its efforts in disseminating information on already established and newly published standards also engages in scheduled Road Shows, Publicity Campaigns and Marketing through the print media and Public Seminars in and around the country. Additional information booklets and Technical Information Documents are frequently published and distributed. Other related documents are also made available where and when necessary.

 

Standards Review and Updates

 

As part of the routine standards maintenance and currency to reflect the current accepted practices and conceptual establishment, the Division is always taking the onus to be as proactive in everyway possible to keep abreast with the current trend and directions of the nature including the application and implications of the already established PNG Standards for adequacy and relevance in the domestic market and business environment. The reason being, Standards are updated as per the regular cycle of three years from the commencement of their establishment and publication date. In effect, standards review – is an ongoing process in maintaining the currency, validity and applicability in the current domestic (and even regional and international market).

 

Advisory and Consultations on Standards Related Matters

 

The Institute provides a broad range of advice and consultations on all standards-related issues and matters across all industries, sectors, professions etc. We provide such service either through our desks at the Institute through internal discussions or through participation in other forum or stakeholder meetings, workshops and seminars etc. We also provide such service through our attendance at our owned scheduled Meetings, Forums, and Trainings and Conferences etc.

 

Technical Standards Matters

 

The Division through its various and respective TC Secretariats provide advisory and consultation to all interested parties outside the immediate TC structure and internal administrative and communication mechanism. The notion of gauging respective TC Chairman’s involvement together with its members is a pro-active undertaking by the Institute to effectively involve experts and technocrats or professionals in the respective fields with regard to standards development process through to publication and awareness.

 

Domestic and International Trade-Related Issues

 

The Division also provides advisory and consultations in the area of standards on all trading goods and services. Discussions cover wide ranging issues on products, processes and services and their relative applicable standards. The Division is also involved in discussing cross-cutting issues on standards and conformance that impede on customer issues and trade in general, trade commodities, products and services that transects across all economic sectors of PNG in general.