Policies and Procedures for Corporate Standardization

There are a number of rules governing corporate standardization. Most of the policies and procedures of the IEEE apply both to standards developed under an individual method of participation and to standards developed under a corporate method. This document points out rules that are specific to corporate standards development.

In the official rules, the term "entity" or "persons of any category other than individual" are often used, rather than the term "corporate." That's because any non-individual can participate in a corporate ballot, including organizations, government agencies, and academic institutions. So while "corporate standards" is a general term, it doesn't cover all the possibilities for participation, and the official rules have to recognize that in their terminology.

The most important documents for you to use are the Operating Procedures for a Corporate Standards Development Sponsor, which explains the rules under which the Corporate Advisory Group (CAG) operates for standards sponsorship, and the Operating Procedures for Corporate Standards Working Groups, which explains the rules for working groups that operate under the CAG. These are detailed procedures that you can implement in your working group.

There are also two higher-level documents that cover standards development in general, the IEEE-SA Standards Board Bylaws and the IEEE-SA Standards Board Operations Manual. In both are some specific rules concerning corporate standards development.

IEEE-SA Standards Board Bylaws

Clause 5.2.1, Participation in IEEE standards development
This section shows that corporate participation and representation is acceptable for an IEEE standards development group.

Clause 5.2.1.1, Openness
This clause states that all IEEE standards development meetings and official Sponsor ballots have to be open to all participants. (Voting rights at meetings are usually determined by the rules of the Sponsor or the specific working group.)

Clause 5.2.2, Sponsor
Sponsors are defined in this clause, showing the various types you can find in the IEEE.

Clause 5.2.2.3, Sponsor balloting group
This clause defines "person," which includes all the various types of corporate participants. It also states that the type of balloting group is determined when the PAR is created, which also determines the voting rights in the working group.

The IEEE-SA Standards Board Operations Manual is subsidiary to and expands on the policies outlined in the IEEE-SA Standards Board Bylaws.

The key clause here is 5.4, Standards ballot by the Sponsor. In it are all the rules concerning how you define a ballot group and conduct a ballot. Clause 5.4.1.1, Balloting group made of persons who are of any category other than individual, specifically addresses how you identify balloting participants in a corporate ballot.

All of these rules for corporate standards participation are constantly evolving. Please check the IEEE Standards website for the latest news on the policies and procedures that affect IEEE standards development. Please direct any questions you have on these policies and procedures to the IEEE-SA Corporate Program Office.