SD-9 Dod Guidance On Participating In The Development And Use Of Non-Government StandardsThe purpose of this document is to promote more effective DoD use of nongovernment standards NGSs and participation in their development.To achieve this purpose, this document describes the different types of NGSs and the organizations that develop them, provides general guidance and practices relative to DoD┬┐s involvement in developing or using NGSs, identifies criteria that should be considered regarding requirements and verification before developing an NGS or replacing an existing military or federal document with an NGS, clarifies the roles and responsibilities of DoD personnel when participating in NGS activities, and explains the meaning of DoD adoption of an NGS and its importance.

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Due Process

To some extent, most standards, including those in Government, are developed follow- ing certain principles of due process. Due process-as applied to the development, approval, revision, reaffirmation, and cancellation of standards-means any person (organization, company, Government agency, individual, and so on) with a direct and material interest has a right to participate by expressing a position and its basis, having this position considered, and having the right to appeal. Due process allows for equity and fair play.

The following are the criteria which define due process in NGS development. It is important to understand if, and to what extent, NGSB organizations adhere to

these principles in the development of their standards, since it may affect participation

decisions.

•  Openness. Participation is open to all people directly and materially affected without unreasonable financial barriers.Voting membership on the standards

body is usually not conditional upon membership in any organization, nor unrea-

sonably restricted by technical qualifications or other such requirements.

•  Lack of dominance. No single interest category, individual, or organization domi- nates the standards development process. Dominance means a position or exercise of dominant authority, leadership, or influence through superior leverage,

strength, or representation to the exclusion of fair and equitable consideration of other viewpoints.

•  Balance. The standards development process has a fair and representative diversity of interests. NGSB organizations seek participants from diverse interests with the objective of achieving balance.

•  Notification of standards development. The NGSB gives notification of standards activity in suitable media as appropriate to provide an opportunity for participa- tion by all directly and materially affected people.

•  Consideration of views and objections. An NGSB promptly considers the written views and objections of all participants.

•  Consensus vote. The NGSB documents evidence of consensus in accordance with the requirements and procedures of the standards developer. NGSB partici-

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