In message <tfspo...@leco.com>, dated Mon, 9 Jan 2006, brian_ku...@leco.com writes
>Is there any consideration being taken on making all IEC and/or EN >standards available free of charge, online in a common format such as >.pdf? No. A lot of people agree with you but it seems most unlikely to happen. > >This would be very nice. When new versions come out, you just download >it. You can already do that, but not for free. > >We live in the electronic communication age where almost anything in >print is available on the internet. Why not documents as important as >compliance standards? > >Currently, where does the money one pays for standards go? The central administration costs quite a bit in terms of staff compensation. Then there are basic office materials costs and travel costs for Central Office engineers to attend meetings all over the world to keep communication between the committees and the Central Office up-to-date. > It can't begin to recoup the cost of those who write the standards. No, those costs are borne by industry. >Doesn't it mainly go to copying and distribution? Not so much any more, of course, although many hard-copy standards are still supplied. > Should not cost much to put it online, so why don't they just do it? See above. > >Many government documents are available on-line for free. More and more >are available each year. I see this as the trend toward the paperless >society. Those 'free' documents are paid for by taxes and bonds. Governments have NO money of their own, only taxes and capital raised by selling bonds. >So what does the future hold for IEC and/or EN standards? Come on. >Lets do it. Don't hold your breath. -- OOO - Own Opinions Only. Try www.jmwa.demon.co.uk and www.isce.org.uk 2006 is YMMVI- Your mileage may vary immoderately. John Woodgate - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to emc-p...@ieee.org Instructions: http://listserv.ieee.org/request/user-guide.html List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas emcp...@ptcnh.net Mike Cantwell mcantw...@ieee.org For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: j.bac...@ieee.org David Heald: emc-p...@daveheald.com All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc
