Re: [odf-adoption] Fast Track approval anyway

[marbux <marbux@gmail.com>]

The relevant JTC1 Directives section was changed on February 20. Now
draft standards can proceed on the fast track despite any
contradictions.

The new section 13.4 has this language:

"If a contradiction is alleged, the JTC 1 Secretariat and ITTF shall
make a best effort to resolve the matter in no more than a three month
period, consulting with the proposer of the fast-track document, the
NB(s) raising the claim of contradiction and others, as they deem
necessary. A meeting of these parties, open to all NBs, may be
convened by the JTC 1 Secretariat, if required.

"If the resolution requires a change to the document submitted for
fast-track processing, the initial document submitted will be
considered withdrawn. The proposer may submit a revised document, to
be processed as a new proposal.

"If the resolution results in no change to the document or if a
resolution cannot be reached, the five month fast-track ballot
commences immediately after such a determination is made."

So, whereas the old version allowed for fast tracks to be essentially
halted by irreconcilably contradictions, the new version simply says
that if there is no agreement, then simply ignore the contradictions
and go on with the 5-month ballot anyways.  This seems to be a major
transfer of power from NB's to Fast Track submittors like Ecma, making
the contradiction phase a toothless waste of time.

It also appears to conflict mightily with the Agreement on Technical
Barriers to Trade, which, inter alia, requires that standards not even
be prepared if they would create unnecessary obstacles to
international trade and requires that the standardization process
provide a meaningful early opportunity for national bodies to object
to the preparation of standards that would create such obstacles.

The silver lining in the dark cloud might be that the process probably
won't be dragged out for years if Ecma 376 stays on the fast track. We
should have an up or down final ballot about five months from now.

Best regards,

Marbux

On 3/13/07, Charles-H. Schulz <charles-h.schulz@arsaperta.com> wrote:
> Hell all,
>
> am I missing something?
> http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9012860&intsrc=news_ts_head
>
> If anyone would like to comment, I'd love to hear his/her comments on that.
>
> Best,
> Charles.
>
>