ONR (ON-Rule)

Sometimes an issue faced by a company or organization requires a quick solution, and sometimes rapid developments need to be documented.

On the European and international level, Workshop Agreements (CEN, ISO) and Publicly Available Specifications (ISO) are used in such cases.

The Austrian equivalent offered by Austrian Standards International is an ONR (i.e. ON-Regel or ON Rule in English): This is a quickly available normative document whose development process does not have to meet all the requirements applicable to a “classic” standard.

ONRs can pave the way to initiating standardization later on.

When is an ONR the best solution?

An ONR is the best solution when:

  • its application is to yield experiences as an input for a potential standardization project in the future,
  • it is to document the current state of novel or rapid developments.

ONRs are an intermediate solution between ÖNORM standards and specifications drawn up by one or a few companies or institutions.

How is an ONR developed?

There are two options for developing ONRs:

  1. Austrian Standards International receives a detailed proposal for review.
  2. Enterprises, organizations or interest groups entrust Austrian Standards International with the management of a project for developing an ONR.

Project management covers the organization of meetings and technical support, including a review of the topic with regard to relevant Austrian, European and international standards as well as legal regulations. An online form is available for submitting project proposals.

What has to be observed when developing an ONR?

  • The participants have to be representatives of at least two market operators. The involvement of more market operators is desirable.

  • An ONR must not contradict other ONRs or existing ÖNORM standards.

  • Decisions are made by simple majority. If unanimity cannot be achieved, the result has to be explained in a minority report in the ONR.

  • An ONR has to be submitted to public consultation as a draft if it deals with aspects of:

    • management systems,

    • conformity assessments,

    • health, and

    • safety and security.

In all other cases, public consultation is not mandatory.

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