Guide to Applying for an Alliance International Standard

I. Who Can Submit a Proposal?

 The following organizations or individuals may submit a new work item proposal:

 - Organizational members, individual members, and branches of the Alliance;

 - The Alliance Secretariat, Senior Expert Advisory Committee, and Working Advisory Committee;

 - Other standardization-related organizations and bodies (Alliance membership is not required).

 Key point: You do not need to be an Alliance member. As long as your standard proposal is innovative and internationally valuable, you are welcome to apply.

II. What Types of Standards Can Be Proposed?

 - A brand new standard;

 - A new part of an existing standard;

 - A revision of an existing standard or part thereof.

III. What Materials Are Required?

 The proposer must prepare:

 1. Application Form for Development/Revision Project Proposal (available from the International Standards Department);

 2. A working draft (at least an outline);

 3. Appointment of a project leader (responsible for overall coordination).

IV. Basic Eligibility Criterion (International Representation)

 - At least five countries or regions must have experts willing to participate in the development or revision of the standard.

 - Note: Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, and Taiwan region are counted separately.

 - This criterion ensures international representation and is a key distinction from ordinary group standards.

V. Proposal and Approval Process (Simple and Transparent)

 1. Formal Review – The International Standards Department checks completeness of materials and the five-country/region requirement.

 2. Expert Evaluation – Materials are distributed to relevant committees or expert groups. Experts complete a "Voting Ballot for New Work Item Proposal". Simple majority in favor is required.

 3. Secretariat Approval and Announcement – After approval by the Alliance Secretariat, an initiation notice is issued and the proposal is publicly announced on the Alliance website www.iaris.org for one month.

 4. Time limit – The proposal stage generally does not exceed 2 months.

VI. Fast-Track Procedure (for Mature or Urgent Standards)

 The fast-track procedure, with a minimum development cycle of 3 months, applies to:

 - Projects with solid research foundation, funding support, or urgent social need;

 - Technically mature national, industry, association, or enterprise standards suitable for domestic and international promotion;

 - Alliance branch standards – after a one-year trial period, a "Trial Implementation Report" can be submitted, allowing the draft to enter the review stage directly as a "consultation draft", skipping the drafting stage.

VII. Development Timeline After Approval

 - Normal cycle: 1 to 2 years

 - Fast-track procedure: minimum 3 months

 - If not published within 3 years, the project is automatically withdrawn (an extension of up to 6 months may be applied for).

VIII. Opportunities for Broader Participation

 - Open consultation: Every draft is posted online for 30 days. Any individual or organization (member or non-member) may submit comments via the "Single Ballot Voting Form".

 - Open review: Meeting reviews involve relevant experts. Approval requires ≥2/3 in favor and ≤1/4 against.

 - Periodic review: Standards are reviewed every 5 years. Any interested party may propose revision or withdrawal through the International Standards Department.

IX. Contact and Further Information

 - Official website: www.iaris.org

 - Responsible department: International Standards Department of the Alliance Secretariat

 - How to obtain application forms: Download from the website or contact the International Standards Department directly.