Honorary Board

The members of the Honorary Board fulfil a significant advisory function with regard to the strategic orientation of Austrian Standards. They critically discuss the importance of standards for the economy, research, policymaking and society, monitor trends and develop strategies to promote the positive impact of standards.

Standards are developed in open, transparent processes. The interdisciplinary reconciliation of interests among all stakeholders that takes place when standards are drafted brings together representatives of industry, research and society in order to translate framework conditions defined by lawmakers into concrete solutions.

The Honorary Board continuously addresses how the constantly changing political, economic and socio-cultural framework impacts standards and their development process as well as how standards can positively influence the prevailing social situation.

Whereas laws only change slowly, standards are reviewed at least every five years to check whether they are still up to date and to adapt them to reflect recent developments. The dynamism inherent in this process is used by lawmakers through the principle of co-regulation: they define essential requirements in directives and regulations while voluntary standardization builds concrete solutions on these foundations.

Ninety percent of all standards are laid down at the European and/or international level. The members of the Honorary Boards input their expertise and a perspective that promotes the international orientation of the open standardization process in order to strengthen Austria’s external trade – a strength that becomes more and more important in our times of far-reaching networks at the economic and technological level.

The Honorary Board of Austrian Standards makes connections where others only see loose ends. They provide decisive impulses for the long-term strategic development of Austrian Standards by viewing issues in a broader perspective.

Thus, potential solutions to socially and economically relevant issues are highlighted and can be put to good use. 

In the past few years, the members of the Honorary Board discussed issues such as diversity and resilience, digital transformation, standards in a global context, reducing bureaucracy and voluntary standards.