Discover how government employees are setting tomorrow's standards - Christl Bolle's story

As a government employee, you have a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of standards that directly affect society. The world of standards committees and ISO standards is unknown to many, but it is an area where government experts can play a crucial role. Christl Bolle, an expert at the Federal Public Service Employment, Labor and Social Dialogue(FPS WASO), is living proof of this role. Through her work, she shows how governments can take the lead in setting standards and why their contribution is invaluable.

Why government should have a voice in standards development

The development of standards is not exclusive to the private sector. Standards are the basis for numerous processes in our society, from the safety of products to the organisation of public services. It is therefore natural for the government, as legislator and regulator, to play an active role. In this way one can ensure that internationally established standards do not create a conflict with existing national guidelines.

A telling example is the development of the ISO 45010, which draws attention to the risk analysis of typical female experiences such as menopause and menstruation. Through her participation in the mirror committee for the ISO 45000 family, Christl was able to alert her colleagues at FPS WASO to a possible the need to adapt the"Codex on Welfare," Book X: "Work Organization and Special Employee Categories," including Title 5: "Maternity Protection," to these new insights. And conversely to pay attention within ISO 45010 to the already existing legislation on Maternity Protection.

This demonstrates how, through standards development, the government can proactively improve and align legislation and the design of standard ISO 45010 with changing society. Christl notes that this allows the ISO world to put some pressure on the legal world and vice versa, and she has already made a push to critically re-evaluate the "Codex on Welfare," especially Book X.

She is also a member of the Federal Breastfeeding Committee, an advisory committee of the FPS Public Health, and finds it remarkable that the current draft of standard ISO 45010 makes no mention of pregnancy and lactation. She advocates that risk assessments take into account menstruation and menopause as well as pregnancy and lactation.

Christl's role on standards committees

Christl Bolle, together with her colleague Danny De Baere, represents the FPS WASO on NBN's mirror committees. She sits on two specific committees:

-Mirror Committee 283: This committee focuses on the ISO 45000 family, the standards for occupational health and safety management systems.

-Mirror Committee 343: This deals with the ISO 53000 family, which relates to SDG management(Sustainable Development Goals). The FPS WASO is involved, partly because corporate social responsibility was included in the previous government's coalition agreement.

Christl, who has a background as a civil chemical engineer, uses her practical knowledge to contribute to standards development. Her expertise helps to ensure that the new ISO standards are in line with Belgian and European legislation. FPS WASO's presence on these committees is also motivated by the strategic value of the SDGs for the government.

A win-win situation: knowledge and influence

Participation in a standards committee is more than just contributing; it is an opportunity to expand and share your own knowledge. Christl considers it a "win-win relationship." It allows officials to closely follow new developments in their field and apply that knowledge directly within their own organisation. This leads to continuous improvement of processes, such as answering parliamentary questions faster and more efficiently, by capturing the knowledge in procedures and instructions that are available to everyone.

This exchange of knowledge is invaluable, both within our own FPS and within inter-federal networks, where procedures and best practices can be exchanged with colleagues from other services. Moreover, it is a unique opportunity to help defend Belgian and European positions at the international level. As an expert, you contribute to a universal language that helps organizations around the world work efficiently and effectively. This is an indispensable tool to prevent chaos and guarantee quality and health and safety (well-being). As Christl points out, in contracts with companies outside Europe, only the ISO 45001 standards can be enforced through contract law with countries outside Europe.

A major advantage of this participation is that it is free for federal government officials. This opens the way for all civil servants to use their expertise and grow as specialists/experts without placing an additional financial burden on their department.

Challenges and the bigger picture

Participation in a standards committee requires time and dedication, and is detailed work that requires reading and working through complex texts. Budget cuts may also cause the focus on standards to wane. Nevertheless, the overarching goal of improving the well-being of the citizen/employer/employee remains the driving force.

Christl's story is a call to all public servants: become aware of the importance of standards and contribute to their development. Standards provide a structured approach to society's challenges, from climate change to cybersecurity. By sharing your expertise, you not only help your own organisation, but also contribute to a better, safer and more efficient society.

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