From: DIUS Innovation Team

From: DIUS Innovation team

To: BSI

Sent: Wed 19/03/2008 12:38

Hi xxxxxx

Thanks for your help on this.

I've cut and paste XXXXXX original text and xxxxx comments are below. I have to submit this info by 2pm.

“Role of BSI in this process

7.BSI’s role is to facilitate standards development. They have kept to the rules to ensure that the UK committee has the appropriate expertise and a broad range of representatives consider the standard thoroughly. We are confident that the BSI has been following due process and that there is no cause for concern.

[As discussed…can we add a para on what is "due process" and a para on BSI role within the "due process"]

12.The National Archives is leading a cross-government project to develop a system to ensure the long-term survival of electronic information needed for use by government. Both The National Archives and the British Library have their own in-house digital preservation systems. Failure to implement OOXML as an international standard would not jeopardise these digital preservation initiatives.

[ I appreciate this isn't quite your area but any advice greatly appreciated!]

XXXX asks:

"xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”

You also mention at paragraph 12 the British Library and say failure to implement would not jeopardise their initiatives; will you please explain why, I thought the library was a supporter of open xml."

Thanks

xxxxxxxx | Standards and Standardisation

DIUS |Innovation Delivery

From: BSI

To: DIUS Innovation team

From: BSI

Sent:Mon 29/10/2007 15:46

Subject: Document for All Party Internet Group meeting

This is the summary that I mentioned that the Convenor put together for the MP (APIG) group breakfast meeting I attended. Thought it has some useful points for you.

xxxx

xxxxx

XXXXXXXXXX

______

BSI British Standards

BSI Group Headquarters, 389 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 4AL, UK

T: +44 (0)20 8996

F: +44 (0)20 8996

The summary referred to in this email is copied below

From: BSI

To: DIUS Innovation Unit

Sent: Tue 15/01/2008 08:49

Subject:OOXML update

Dear XXXXX

In advance of tomorrow’s meeting, here’s a quick update on OOXML in case there are any new questions coming in on your side

Timetable
11 December 2007 Final date for submission of NSB delegation lists for the Ballot Resolution Meeting (BRM)
Confirmation has been received that national delegations to the BRM are limited to 4 – based on plan agreed with committee pre-Xmas, this will mean neither IBM nor Microsoft will be part of UK delegation
14 January 2008 ECMA International deadline for the circulation of a draft disposition of comments document
23 January 2008 UK National Committee Meeting IST/41/-/1, IST/41 meeting [note – date not in the public domain]
01 February 2008 Deadline for submission of finalised NSB delegation lists
25 – 29 February 2008 ISO/IEC DIS 29500 Ballot Resolution meeting, International Conference Centre, Geneva, Switzerland
29 March 2008 Deadline for NSBs wishing to change their vote to notify ITTF
BSI public statements
3 Sept 07 press release:
11 Dec 07 FAQ for journalists:

Regards

XXXXX

From: BSI

To: DIUS Innovation Unit

Sent: Fri 22/02/2008 15:38

Subject: Action from 22/2/08 mtg

Xxxxx, xxxxx

Regarding the OOXML-related queries that have come your way via MP’s offices, as requested please see below a summary of the next stages in voting process for the ISO/IEC DIS 29500 standard

This information is all in the public domain however the precise date when the voting outcome will be confirmed is not specified.

Regards

XXXXX

Timetable

ISO Press Release: Ballot resolution meeting (BRM) on 2008-02-20

[Extract]

If next week's BRM leads to a sufficient number of negative votes or abstentions being withdrawn or made positive within the 30-day period after the meeting, ISO/IEC DIS 29500 may proceed to publication as an international standard. Otherwise, the proposal will have failed and this fast-track procedure will be terminated. This would not preclude subsequent re-submission under the normal ISO/IEC standards development rules.

ISO/IEC DIS 29500 Ballot Resolution Meeting (BRM) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

[Extract]

2.1 When and where will the BRM be held?

The BRM will take place between Monday 25 February and Friday 29 February 2008 (inclusive), at the International Conference Centre, Geneva.

5.1 Is there a further ballot on the DIS 29500 text after the BRM?

No. The BRM is the end of the formal scrutiny process and there is no further balloting, formal deliberation or revision.

5.2 How long will NBs have after the meeting to inform ITTF of a changed vote?

If a NB wishes to modify its vote from that of the 2 September ballot, it must inform ITTF within 30 days of the end of the BRM. At this time, ITTF will re-tally the votes and the fate of DIS 29500 will be decided.

From: BSI

To: DIUS Innovation Unit

Sent: Wed 19/03/2008 14:05

Subject: Re XXXXX re OOXML

XXXXX

See below for some notes re: BSI’s role & due process – hopefully that will give you enough.

Re: the National Archives project and the connection to OOXML, as discussed I’m afraid we’re not in a position to comment on this.

Breda

BSI’s role in the international standardization process

BSI British Standards is recognised as the UK National Standards Body (NSB) by the UK Government. The UK NSB role is performed by BSI British Standards on behalf of the UK Government and principally involves the representation of the UK in European and International standards fora. Some British Standards (BSs) go on to become European or International standards (ENs or ISOs).

BSI British Standards' standards are formed by committees representing key interests. These committees operate according to BS-0, the standard that governs the way BSI British Standards produces standards . This specifies the role of BSI as the UK NSB and that of its committees in the preparation of standards of national original and UK involvement with the international European Technical Committee work programme. The detailed procedures of standardization are covered in the BSI guide to standardization - Section 1: Working with BSI British Standards

The procedures governing the standardization work programmes of ISO committees are available here . ISO/IEC JTC 1 (Information technology) has adopted modified and additional procedures, see ISO/IEC Directives, Procedures for the technical work of ISO/IEC JTC 1 on Information technology.

In relation to OOXML, the UK submitted its comments in September 07 on the adoption of the draft of ISO/IEC DIS 29500 OOXML (also known as ECMA 376) to JTC1, the joint technical committee of ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, and IEC, the International Electrotechnical Commission. The comments were collated after several months of technical review by industry experts, with a Wiki created to facilitate submission of comments by interested parties.

JTC1/SC 34, a subcommittee of JTC1, then prepared a document containing comments from all the National Standards Bodies which was addressed at a ballot resolution meeting (BRM) in February 2008, and which was attended by 37 national delegations including that of the UK.

No decision on publication was taken at the meeting itself. Following the BRM, the 87 national member bodies that voted in the 2 September ballot have 30 days – until 29 March 2008 – to examine the actions taken in response to the comments and to reconsider their vote if they wish. If the modifications proposed are such that national bodies then wish to withdraw their negative votes, or turn abstentions into positive votes, and the acceptance criteria are then met, the standard may proceed to publication.

From: BSI

To: DIUS Innovation Unit

Sent: Wed 19/03/2008 14:26

Subject: Re:Re XXXXX re OOXML

XXXX

Just to note that all of the info in my response below is assembled from public domain sources and BS0 and the ISO directives are freely available to the public at large via the URLs below.

XXXX

[NB this email refers to the email above that has been fully provided]