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FAQs on ISO/IEC 29500

How could a 6 000-page document be fast-tracked?

Because the information technology (IT) sector is fast-moving, the joint technical committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology, introduced the "fast track" process for the adoption as ISO/IEC standards of documents originating from the IT sector on which substantial development has already taken place.

Proposals for fast-track processing can be made by the P-members of JTC 1 and organizations in category "A" liaison with JTC 1. In the case of ISO/IEC 29500 (OOXML), the proposal was made by Ecma International, an IT industry association.

As stipulated in the ISO/IEC JTC 1 Directives under the section relating to the fast-track process, the criteria for proposing an existing industry standard for the fast-track procedure are a matter for each proposer to decide. In the case of ISO/IEC 29500, Ecma International considered that the fast-track procedure was appropriate.

The number of pages of a document is not a criterion cited in the JTC 1 Directives for refusal. It should be noted that it is not unusual for IT standards to run to several hundred, or even several thousand pages.

ISO/IEC 29500 has spent a total of 15 months being processed within the ISO/IEC system, from its submission in December 2006 to the deadline of 29 March 2008 approving it.

Why would ISO and IEC allow two standards for the same subject?

The ICT industry has a long history of developing multiple standards providing similar functionalities. After a period of co-existence, it is basically the market that decides which survives. A past example within ISO concerned the SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) and ODA (Office Document Architecture).

In this particular case, some claim that the Open Document Format (ODF), which is also an ISO/IEC standard (ISO/IEC 26300) and ISO/IEC 29500 are competing solutions to the same problem, while others claim that ISO/IEC 29500 provides additional functionalities, particularly with regard to legacy documents.

The ability to have both as International Standards was something that needed to be decided by the market place. ISO and IEC and their national members provided the JTC 1 infrastructure that facilitated such a decision by the market players.

What about hidden patent issues?

The ISO/IEC/ITU patent policy requires that licenses be available on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and conditions to all patents needed to implement an ISO/IEC International Standard and/or ITU Recommendation, and that all identified patent owners make a declaration to that effect.

Microsoft, the holder of patents involved in the implementation of ISO/IEC 29500, has made such a declaration to ISO and IEC. If, after publication of the standard, it is determined that licenses to all required patents are not so available, one option would be to withdraw the International Standard.

What about contradictions with other ISO and IEC Standards?

A number of such claimed contradictions were identified during the one-month JTC 1 fast-track review period, prior to its release for voting and comment. The submitter, Ecma International, responded to these comments at the end of the review period.

Some of these comments were reflected in national body comments on the fast-track Draft International Standard (DIS). These comments, e.g. the non-alignment with ISO 8601, Data elements and interchange formats – Information interchange – Representation of dates and times, were dealt with in the ballot resolution meeting (BRM).

It is possible that others may still remain, but these can be taken care of during the maintenance of the standard.  In all cases, the final decision on whether there are contradictions and how to resolve them rests with the national members of ISO and IEC.

How are national votes formed?

ISO and IEC national members cast their vote on the basis of input from stakeholders in their country. They are fully responsible for the way national votes are formed and relevant national interests consulted. Typically, national mirror committees are established to provide a forum for developing national positions on votes in the corresponding international committee.

What was the post-BRM voting on ISO/IEC 29500?

There was no post-BRM voting, but only the possibility of changing a previously submitted vote. In the vote on the draft ISO/IEC 29500, 104 ISO/IEC national members were eligible to vote. Eighty-seven of these  submitted a vote of approval, disapproval or abstention and it was these 87 countries which were entitled to change their votes following the BRM. This figure includes the 41 JTC 1 P-members which are under an obligation to vote. The final result was that 61 countries approved, 10 disapproved and 16 abstained.

Will ISO and IEC review how ISO/IEC 29500 was adopted?

We reviewed the process before it started, all the while during its course and afterwards as well. While the voting on ISO/IEC 29500 has attracted exceptional publicity, it needs to be put in context. ISO and IEC have collections of more than 17 000 and 7 000 successful standards respectively, these being revised and added to every month. This suggests that the standards development process is credible, works well and is delivering the standards needed, and widely implemented, by the market. Because continual improvement is an underlying aim of standardization, ISO and IEC will certainly be continuing to review and improve its standards development procedures.

• Full text of interview of ISO Secretary-General by Reuters on ISO/IEC 29500