OSD adoption by ISO committees and eligible projects

Background

The Online Standards Development (OSD) platform, developed by ISO and IEC, aims to replace the Word-based standard development way-of-working with a unique, harmonized and collaborative space for all contributors from the preparatory stage through to publication.

The platform was first made available in October 2020 and implemented until June 2023 with a phased roll-out approach. The OSD Phase 2 consolidation and reinforcement, started in June 2023 and focus on end-to-end completion as well as promoting and nurturing high adoption in the IEC/ISO community.

The platform is available for 90% of ISO deliverables, including IS, TS, TS, PAS and Guides, for both new and revisions projects. Currently, the platform is used on a voluntary basis by ISO and IEC committees.

At the joint TMB/SMB meeting, the TMB (TMB Resolution 68/2024) and SMB approved that the OSD platform will be considered the default choice for the development of any eligible ISO/IEC deliverable (new and revision) from January 2025.

Meaning of Default 2025

The default approach means that, effective January 1, 2025, committees begin new projects and revisions within the OSD unless an exemption request is submitted to the TPM to use the traditional word-based template. This applies to the following document types: IS, TS, PAS, and TR.

At project approval:

• Committee Managers are required to confirm the use of OSD.
• Choosing not to use the OSD requires to provide a justification and discussion with the TPM.

For projects that started before 2025-01-01:

• Committees are encouraged to activate the OSD voluntarily, benefiting from its advanced features.

Monitoring and reporting:

• Summaries of projects developed outside OSD, along with justifications, will be shared with NSBs holding the committee Secretariat and reported to the TMB at each meeting.

Transition your project to OSD

Beginning on 1 January 2025, for each project starting (new project or revision), the CM shall consult with the convenor/project leader ahead of the registration of the project and confirm the preferred option for the OSD platform with the TPM.

The Online Standards Development (OSD) platform can be started at the following stages:

• Before project approval: Activation is available at stage 00.00 (PWI).
• At project approval: OSD is initiated at any stage in line with the Directives, including 10.60, 10.99 (AWI), 20.00 (WD), 30.00 (CD), 30.99 (skipping CD), and 40.99 (Minor Revisions)
• After project approval: the OSD is initiated at stage 10.99 (AWI) and 20.00 (WD). Possibilities for activation at 30.00 (CD), 30.99 (CD approved for registration as DIS), and 40.99 (DIS approved for registration as FDIS (or Publication)) are anticipated to be available as of March 2025.

New project

Step1&2: Validate the use of OSD for your project and activate the online document mode

Upon approval with the Project Leader and Convenor, the Committee Manager can simply activate a new online document (simple template) for the project from ISO Projects application .

Step 3: Getting started with content creation

The committee and/or Working Group members can start collaboratively work in the online document to create content. The Getting Started Guide for Officers provides all necessary information.

Already have some content in Word/PDF and want to import it in OSD? Import content from Word/PDF to OSD

Revision

Step1: Validate the use of OSD for your project

Upon approval with the Project Leader and Convenor, the Committee Manager uses the revision resolution template to indicate if the committee will be using OSD or not for the project.

Step 2: Activate the online document mode

To activate an online document for a revision please complete the  online form. When completing the questionnaire you will have the option to request an upload of the previous edition of the standard or to start from a new document.

Step 3: Getting started with content creation

The committee and/or Working Group members can start collaboratively work in the online document to create content. The Getting Started Guide for Officers provides all necessary information.

If you start from a new document and would like to import some content from Word/PDF, please follow the instructions here: Import content from Word/PDF to OSD

Project already under development

If the project has been approved before 2025-01-01 and the Committee is willing to transition to the Online Standards Development (OSD) platform, please contact your TPM to validate your request and get help to import your content into the online platform.

Eligible projects to be developed in OSD

Standards-type publications

Special publications

Language setting

In collaboration

Other considerations

• Projects not published in XML today (Word/PDF; PDF/PDF; HTML) are not supported in OSD
• Projects must be developed under a WG to be developed in OSD (to be re-evaluated in 2025)