Join us!

What are the benefits of participating in standards development?

‍

• You build a network. Standards committees are the ideal meeting place to make new contacts and exchange ideas.

• You learn and exchange knowledge. Participants in standards committees are international experts and have a great deal of substantive knowledge. By participating in a committee yourself, you learn a lot firsthand.

What benefits does your company gain from standards development?

‍

• You're the first to know about future technological developments and trends. This strengthens your company' s competitive position.

• You gain the ability to anticipate future changes through early access to all that strategic information.

• You exercise influence during the standards development process and give your Organisation a voice in the development of standards for your industry.

• You boost your credibility with your stakeholders and your customers.

‍

‍

Your rights and obligations as an expert

Experts who participate in standards development have some specific rights and obligations. To achieve a quality standard, you need to commit to these important tasks:

‍

• You meticulously review all documents sent to committee members.

• You provide your reasoned feedback on those documents to the committee secretary.

• You participate in gatherings and meetings and strive for consensus.

• You cast your vote on the ISOlutions online platform through your personal login.

‍

Experts also get help where needed, of course:

‍

• NBN supports experts in Belgium through advice and assistance.

• The committee secretary will guide you throughout the standardisation process, and you can contact them with any questions or concerns.

• NBN offers the NBN expert training program free of charge.

• NBN keeps you informed of the latest updates through its newsletter.

‍

Conditions for participation

Experts who want to participate in standards development must meet 3 conditions:

‍

1. If you participate as a natural person, you must be domiciled in Belgium. Legal entities or organisations wishing to participate must have their headquarters are in Belgium.
2. You must have a direct, current interest in the standard you want to help shape and have demonstrable knowledge on the subject.
3. You let NBN know you want to participate in a standards committee by registering as an expert.

Review the General Internal Regulations for a full list of terms and conditions.

‍

How much does it cost?

The price of one year of committee participation depends on the sectoral operator coordinating the committee. The development of a new standard takes an average of 3 years.

‍

• For NBN committees, the standard cost of participation is 600 euros.
• The price drops to 500 euros when registering for additional standards committees.
• As the year progresses, the price continues to fall.

‍

NBN also offers  interesting discounts:

‍

• 30% for SMEs with up to 50 employees
• 50% for academics (universities and colleges whose services are defined by law or decree)
• 50% for social stakeholders whose statutory objective is to defend workers', environmental or consumer interests
• free participation for sector operators (only for those responsible for standardisation activities)
• free participation for governments and category A public institutions.

‍

Webinar: "Standardization - The Basics"

Would you like to help develop standards yourself? But would you rather learn more about it first? Then follow the Webinar "Standardization - The Basics". There we will give you more insight of what standards development is.

^{I am signing up for "Standardization - The Basics"}