The ISO/TC 8 Secretariat will advise those countries listed in 8 AG N 519 who have been and continue to be inactive that they will no longer be on the active distribution listing for the AG. The Secretariat will also advise those countries of the importance of their active participation in the work of the Subcommittees and the ISO/TC 8 Plenary meetings. As the need arises for any particular expertise not provided in the current AG members, the Chairman might solicit participation from other countries as necessary. With limited resources, it is not good management to incur costs for those who are not participating. The revised approach had the unanimous support of all delegates.
A revised Membership listing will be prepared reflecting this decision.
2. REVIEW OF BUSINESS PLAN
The Chairman reports that the Business Plan is in two volumes - volume 1 is the Basic Plan and volume 2 is Appendices. This approach recognizes that documents in the Appendices (Status Programme 8 N 1000 and the other appendix items, which are names and listings of member of regional bodies) will require more frequent updates than the Basic Plan.
After the results of the Ad Hoc group on Status Report 8 N 1000 in item 6 above are provided, there will be a few editorial changes necessary in the Basic Plan where it refers to the 8 N 1000 document.
The Business Plan will be reviewed at each AG meeting as before. Suggested changes to the Business Plan can be submitted to the Chairman and Secretariat 60 days prior to the next AG meeting. Volume 2 will be updated after each AG meeting. Volume 1 will be updated annually, if substantive changes are accepted. The Business Plan will be available electronically.
Mr. Abram pointed out that ISO/CS introduced that the TMB would be prescribing new format. TC 8 was part of the pilot initiative for the TMB and was complemented on the thoroughness of its plan. We were told to use CEN plan for guidance. It did not exist. Our plan was approved and published on 1998-10-14. We have provided a courtesy copy to CEN TC 300 to assist them. The new "Format" appears to be one of public relations focus and a "one plan fits all". We support the need for public awareness and relations, but not at the expense of a useful Business Plan. Every corporation has a business plan. It is tailored to their market, their goals and objectives, corporate growth and perhaps even survival. They are unique to the business unit they serve. They are usually proprietary and are used constantly. They are not bound volumes placed in a library for those not involved in directly achieving the specific product goals. TC 8 has an approved plan. We do not have the resources to completely change our format. If this is required by the ISO/CS, then they of course are at liberty to write whatever plan they want and need.
The AG members reaffirmed this position unanimously.
3. SUBCOMMITTEE EXCEPTION REPORTS
・ AG N 523 (Rev 1) - Exception reports ISO/TC 8/SC's
All ISO/TC 8/SC's have submitted an Exception Report and these written reports are introduced by the delegates from the responsible member bodies
SC 1 Lifesaving and fire protection (USA)
During the discussion of this report, Mr. Van Dijk, who participated in the WG2 meeting held in London early this year, provided the following additional information:
In the working group, in order to ensure smooth progress in the SC 1's discussion, a problem was raised as to the small number of experts joining from shipbuilding circles. SC 1 will consider the procedure whereby one country prepares a draft text and introduces it widely to facilitate the collection of opinions. For better efficacy in deliberation, the use of a web site for the circulation of CDs will greatly save money and time. Mr. Abram indicates that the ISO/CS is now planning to circulate CDs by using a password on their web site and to call on members to input comments.
