Publicly Available Specification
A Publicly Available Specification or PAS is a standardization document that closely resembles a formal standard in structure and format but which has a different development model.[1] The objective of a Publicly Available Specification is to speed up standardization. PASs are often produced in response to an urgent market need.[2]
Background
BSI Group develops PASs in the UK,[1] while the International Electrotechnical Commission develops international PASs in the arena of electrical, electronic and related technologies,[2] and the International Organization for Standardization develops international ISO PASs.[3]
BSI Group pioneered the PAS format. Under the BSI model, any organization, association or group who wish to document standardized best practice on a specific subject, can commission a PAS, subject to the BSI acceptance process.The main difference is in the area of consensus. A British Standard must reach full consensus between all stakeholders on technical content, whilst a PAS invites comments from any interested party but does not necessarily incorporate them. This means that the timescale for the development of a PAS can be shorter, typically around 8 months, and is why it is sometimes referred to as a 'fast-track standard'.[4]
The development of a PAS cannot conflict with, or contradict, existing or draft work within the formal standards arena and must complement, not conflict with, any legislation in the subject area. It is also written in accordance with BS drafting rules, which means that the content must be technically robust and cannot be technically constrained (i.e. it cannot include patented or proprietary methods or products). It is written unambiguously and with objectively verifiable requirements or recommendations.[1]
Origin of term "PAS"
According to a BSI document "Principles of PAS standardization" "The term PAS was originally an acronym derived from “publicly available specification”. However, not all PAS documents are structured as specifications and the term is now sufficiently well established not to require any further amplification." However, early examples of PAS were actually titled "Product Approval Specification" as illustrated in the accompanying photograph showing part of PAS 003.
List of specifications
This list is not complete
- PAS 55: Asset Management
- PAS 56: Business Continuity Management System (2003)
- PAS 78: Guide to good practice in commissioning accessible websites
- PAS 79: Fire risk assessment – Guidance and a recommended methodology
- PAS 99: Specification of common management system requirements as a framework for integration
- PAS 555:2013: Cyber security risk. Governance and management. Specification
- PAS 754:2014: Software Trustworthiness – Governance and management – Specification
- PAS 2010: Planning to halt the loss of biodiversity - Code of Practice
- PAS 2060: Specification for the demonstration of carbon neutrality
See also
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Principles of PAS Standardization". www.bsigroup.com. BSI Group. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Publicly Available Specifications". www.iec.ch. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ↑ "ISO Deliverables". www.iso.org. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ↑ "Develop your own fast-track standard". www.bsigroup.com. BSI Group. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
External links
- Further information on the PAS process
- ISO explanation of an ISO PAS
- UK Government PAS on digital communication infrastructures for new homes