Relevance
Evidence is considered in relation to the population, product, exposure, outcome and decision addressed by the standard.
Standards development
Standards developed through evidence, consultation and accountable approval
The standards process is designed to produce relevant, technically credible and implementable requirements while protecting the integrity of final approval.
Development procedure
From proposal to maintained standard
- 01
Initiation and scoping
The need, intended outcome, users, boundaries, legal context, resource implications and relationship to existing standards are defined.
- 02
Committee constitution
Appropriate expertise and stakeholder perspectives are appointed under competence, balance, confidentiality and conflict requirements.
- 03
Evidence review and drafting
Requirements and rationale are developed with reference to relevant research, practice, regulation, feasibility and identified risk.
- 04
Public or targeted consultation
Materially affected parties are given an appropriate opportunity to comment; submissions and dispositions are documented.
- 05
Independent technical review
The draft, evidence base, consultation record and unresolved issues are examined before approval is considered.
- 06
Approval and publication
An authorised body determines the outcome and controls the final text, version, effective date and transition arrangements.
- 07
Maintenance and review
Interpretations, implementation experience, complaints, new evidence and external change inform continuing review.
Evidence principles
Judgement is documented and proportionate
Quality
Study design, methods, bias, consistency, precision and applicability are weighed rather than reduced to source hierarchy alone.
Totality
Conclusions consider the body of relevant evidence, material uncertainty and credible alternative interpretation.
Implementability
Requirements must be sufficiently clear, measurable and proportionate for their intended users and assurance model.
Change control
Revisions are introduced with due notice
Corrections, amendments and new editions are classified according to their effect. The Association determines whether transition arrangements, reassessment or updated evidence are required for existing certificate and licence holders.
Emergency action may be taken where credible evidence indicates a material risk to safety, legality or the integrity of an Association programme. Such action remains subject to recorded authority and subsequent review.
Public participation
Take part in standards consultation
Consultation responses should be evidence-based, specific to the proposed text and submitted within the stated scope and period.