Explanatory information on ÖNORM and ONR

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 thus for confidence in products and services. As generally accepted rules of technology, they promote innovation, facilitate global market access, and thus sustainably increase productivity and competitiveness. Standards serve the well-being of all and make life easier, safer and healthier through the standardization of work and procedural processes.

 

2. WHAT IS AN ÖNORM?

An ÖNORM is an Austrian standard issued by Austrian Standards International as the legally recognized Austrian standards organization. The legal framework for the national development of Austrian standards (e. g. ÖNORM B ....) and the adoption of European standards into the Austrian body of standards (e. g. ÖNORM EN ...) is provided by the Normengesetz 2016 (German only):

 

3. WHAT IS AN ONR?

An ONR is an Austrian technical specification 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 “classical" standard. The application of an ONR is intended to gain experience for a possible future standard.

 

4. WHAT IS AN ÖVE/ÖNORM?

ÖVE/ÖNORM standards are documents that have been developed in cooperation between CEN and CENELEC and are jointly published by the Austrian Association for Electrical Engineering (OVE) and Austrian Standards International (ASI). In the electrotechnical field, they specify requirements for products, installations, services, systems and qualifications and define how compliance with these requirements is verified.

 

5. HOW DO STANDARDS COME ABOUT?

Each project starts with an innovation, e. g. a product or a technology, for which there is a need for standardization and uniform regulations. Before the standards work begins, a survey is conducted to determine whether there is sufficient interest in the topic among the stakeholders. If this is the case, the standardization process starts at European, international or national level.

 

6. HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE IN THE STANDARDIZATION PROCESS?

Standards are developed by European, international and national technical committees based on consensus of all experts involved. Austrian Standards International strives for the broadest possible participation of all stakeholders. Experts from various fields such as economy, science and research, authorities as well as from notified bodies and interest groups can actively participate in standardization committees. Those who do not participate directly in a committee can

  • comment on proposals for ÖNORM and ONR projects
  • submit comments on ÖNORM and ONR drafts
  • contribute experiences and suggestions for improvement of existing standards and technical specifications at any time

 

The national development of ÖNORM standards and the participation in European and international standardization work are regulated in the Internal Regulations of Austrian Standards International.

Information on how to develop a standard can be found here.

 

7. IS THE APPLICATION OF STANDARDS MANDATORY?

In principle, the application of standards is voluntary. Only those standards that have been declared legally binding by laws, directives or ordinances are mandatory. Standards also become binding when they are subject of contracts. As clear and generally accepted rules of technology, standards create legal certainty at national level as well as in the European Union and at global level. European standards specify EU legislation and thus make a significant contribution to the European Single Market.

 

8. WHAT DOES “QUALITY-CHECKED” MEAN?

Quality is of high priority at Austrian Standards International. The quality assurance of the standardization process is transparent and includes the following principles:

  • Compliance with the Internal Regulations of Austrian Standards International and CEN/CENELEC.
  • Conformity with laws and (EU) regulations
  • Ensuring the expertise of participants in the standardization process
  • 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 (commenting procedure)
  • Transparency of the entire standardization process (life cycle of a standard)

The notice "quality-checked" on ÖNORM and ONR cover sheets means that the document also meets specific requirements of Austrian Standards International:

  • Each nationally developed ÖNORM or ONR is quality-checked before publication: from an editorial point of view as well as in terms of conformity with the Internal Regulations of Austrian Standards International.
  • When adopting European and international documents into the national body of standards, the German and English language versions of a document are checked for equivalence of content.
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9. HOW ARE STANDARDS TO BE READ?

For unambiguous application, standards contain specifications that are formulated by different modal verb forms to express the following types of provision:

  • Requirement (e. g. “shall”)
  • Recommendation (e. g. “should”)
  • Permission (e. g. “may”)
  • Possibility (e. g. “can”)

For detailed explanations, see Richtlinie 1-1 “Aufbau und Gestaltung von nationalen Regelwerken von Austrian Standards International” (in German only).

 

10. HOW CAN YOU DEMONSTRATE CONFORMITY WITH A STANDARD?

Standards specify requirements for products, services or processes and related assessment requirements. The verification of whether these requirements are met is the subject of conformity assessment. This includes testing, inspection and certification by Conformity Assessment Bodies.

Conformity with a standard can be demonstrated by:

  • the manufacturer or service provider (“first party”, self-declaration),
  • the user or purchaser of the service (“second party”, supplier’s declaration) or
  • an independent body (“third party”, certification).

Due to the neutrality principle, the body by which the conformity assessment is to be carried out and the type of evidence are not specified in standards but are regulated by law or by contract.

 

11. TOPICALITY OF STANDARDS – ARE THERE ANY UPDATES?

Based on technological and economic development, standards are subject to continuous change. Standards are regularly reviewed by the responsible committee to determine if they are still up-to-date and relevant or if they need to be revised. For the application of standards, it is therefore important to have access to the currently valid document versions. This ensures that products and production methods or services and processes meet current market requirements. More information can be found here.

 

12. MORE THAN JUST STANDARDS

Practical advice, comments and background information on standards are the subject of seminars, training courses and technical literature. Several of our lecturers and authors also participate in the development of standards and can therefore provide first-hand know-how. More information can be found here.