Standards Australia

Standards Australia is a standards organisation established in 1922 and is recognised through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian government as the peak non-government standards development body in Australia. It is a company limited by guarantee, with 73 members representing groups interested in the development and application of technical standards and related products and services. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Commonwealth and Standards Australia recognises Standards Australia as Australia’s representative on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC).[1]

Standards Australia
IndustryStandards organization
Founded1922
Headquarters
Sydney
,
Australia
Websitehttp://www.standards.org.au/

Standards Australia develops internationally aligned Australian standards (AS) and participates in standards-related activities that deliver benefit to the nation. Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand work together to develop joint standards (AS/NZS). Standards Australia is also the Principal Sponsor of the Australian International Design Awards.[2]

In 2003 Standards Australia sold its commercial businesses to SAI Global Limited and SAI Global Ltd was floated on the Australian Stock Exchange. Initially it retained a 40% interest in SAI Global, but progressively sold this shareholding down to zero, enabling it to focus exclusively on its core business of developing and managing its collection of approximately 7000 Australian standards and representing Australia's interests in international standardisation. In 2016 SAI Global was acquired by Baring Private Equity Asia and delisted from the ASX.[3]

The standard costs an average of A$120,[4] and after negotiations broke down with National and State Libraries Australia, the standards were removed from public libraries. As a result, many groups including the Building Products Innovation Council, Master Builders Association, an Australian Senate Economics Reference Committee and Choice have called for the standard to be brought back into government control and made freely accessible.[4][5]

Heated discussions continue throughout the industry as many believe that a national standard should be provided free of charge to the relevant members of that industry. Imminent release of the new AS/NZS 3000:2018 Electrical Installations standard has sparked a renewed campaign to see this actioned by Standards Australia. The publishing agreement currently held by SAI Global is due to expire in 2018 [5] causing increased pressure to liberate the standards.

Notable standards
  • AS/NZS 1170 Structural design actions
  • AS/NZS 5033 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays
  • AS/NZS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules)
  • AS/NZS 3112 Plug and socket outlets
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000 Risk management - Principles and guidelines
  • AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and drainage Set
  • AS/NZS 3788 Requirements of pressure equipment[6]
  • AS/NZS 1768 Surge Protection

References
  1. "About Standards Australia". Standards Australia. 10 April 1998. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  2. "FAQ Standards Australia". Standards Australia. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  3. https://www.saiglobal.com/en-AU/About_SAI_Global/Our_Business/Acquisition_Timeline/
  4. "Australian Construction Standards Should be Freely Available". Architecture . Construction . Engineering . Property. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  5. "Free access to Australian standards no longer available in public libraries". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  6. "AS_NZS 3788: 2006 Pressure equipment - In-service inspection". SAI Global. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
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