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1. What are standards for?

Standards specify requirements for products, services, systems and qualifications, and define criteria for their verification. They stand for quality and therefore for trust in products and services. As acknowledged rules of technology, they promote innovation, facilitate global market access and therefore increase long-term productivity and competitiveness. Standards are for the benefit of everyone and make life easier, safer and healthier by standardising processes and working methods.

2. What is an ÖNORM?

An ÖNORM is an Austrian standard that is published by Austrian Standards International as a legally recognised Austrian standards body. The legal conditions for developing purely Austrian standards (e.g. ÖNORM B, etc.) and adopting European standards into the Austrian standards framework (e.g. ÖNORM EN, etc.) are provided by the Austrian Standards Act 2016 (Normengesetz 2016).

3. What is an ONR?

An ONR is an Austrian technical specification that is published by Austrian Standards International. It documents the status of a new or rapidly changing development and does not have to fulfil all the requirements of a "traditional" standard. The aim is to gather experience from the application of an ONR for a possible future standard.

4. What is an ÖVE/ÖNORM?

ÖVEs/ÖNORMs are dual-status documents that are developed in cooperation between CEN and CENELEC and publiThey define requirements for products, installations, services, systems and qualifications in the electrical engineering field and define how compliance with these requirements is verified. 

5. How do standards come about?

It all starts with an innovation, e.g. a product or technology that requires standardisation and uniform regulations. Before work begins, a survey is conducted to determine whether there is sufficient interest in the topic among stakeholders. If this is the case, the standardisation process starts at European, international or national level. 

6. How can I participate in the standardisation process?

Standards are developed in European, international and national standardisation committees with the consensus of all experts involved. Austrian Standards International strives for the widest possible participation of all stakeholders. Experts from various fields such as business, science and research, public authorities, testing bodies, advocacy groups and organisations representing different industries can actively participate in standardisation committees.  

Those who are not directly involved in a committee can

• comment on proposals for ÖNORM and ONR projects 
• submit comments on ÖNORM and ONR drafts
• contribute experience and suggestions for improvement regarding applicable standards and technical specifications at any time

The development of purely Austrian standards and participation in European and international standardisation projects are governed in the rules of procedure of Austrian Standards International 

Information on the individual steps required to draw up a standard can be found here .

7. Do standards have to be complied with?

As a general rule, the application of standards is voluntary. Standards also become binding when they are the subject of contracts. As clear and acknowledged rules of technology, standards create legal certainty at national, European Union and global level. European standards specify EU legislation and thus make a significant contribution to the European single market. 

8. What does "quality-tested" mean?

Quality is of the highest priority at Austrian Standards International. Quality assurance in the standardisation process is transparent and includes the following principles: 

• Compliance with the rules of procedure of Austrian Standards International and CEN/CENELEC
• Compliance with laws and (EU) regulations 
• Safeguarding the specialist knowledge of experts in standardisation 
• Involvement, dialogue and consensus of all stakeholders in the development of a standard 
• Clear structures and transparent processes to involve all interested parties 
• Acceptance by the public (comment procedure) 
• Traceability of the entire standardisation process (life cycle of a standard) 
• The term "quality-tested" on ÖNORM and ONR cover sheets means that the document also fulfils the specific requirements of Austrian Standards International: 
• Every purely Austrian standard or ONR is checked before publication, both in terms of language and conformity with the design guidelines of Austrian Standards International. 
• When European and international documents are adopted in the national regulatory framework, the German and English language versions of a document are checked for substantive and formal compliance. 

9. How should standards be understood?

To ensure clear application, standards contain provisions that are formulated using different modal verb forms depending on the level of obligation:  

• Requirement (e.g. "must)  
• Recommendation (e.g. "should")  
• Permissibility (e.g. "may") 
• Possibility (e.g. "can")  

For detailed explanations, see Guideline 1-1 "Aufbau und Gestaltung von nationalen Regelwerken von Austrian Standards International" (Structure and layout of national regulations stipulated by Austrian Standards International).  

10. How can you prove that something is standards-compliant?

Standards define requirements for products, services or processes as well as the relevant test specifications. Checking whether these requirements have been met is the subject of the conformity assessment. This includes testing, inspection and certification by conformity assessment bodies. 

Compliance with a standard can be demonstrated by: 

• The manufacturer or service provider itself ("first party", self-declaration) 
• The user or client of the service ("second party", supplier evaluation) 
• An independent body ("third party", certification) 

Due to the principle of neutrality, the body that carries out the conformity assessment and the means of demonstrating conformity are not specified in standards, but instead are governed by law or contract.

11. Topicality of standards – have there been any updates?

Similarly to technical and economic development, standards are subject to continuous change. They are regularly reviewed by the responsible committee in terms of topicality, necessity and suitability and are revised if required. It is therefore important to have access to the valid versions in each case to apply standards. This ensures that products and production methods or services and processes meet current market requirements. Further information

12. Transferring knowledge from standards to practice

Practical tips, comments and background information on standards are the subject of seminars, courses and specialist publications. Lecturers and authors are often involved in the development of standards and provide first-hand expertise. Further information