Operating Procedures

of the

ANSI-Accredited U.S. TAG to ISO/TC 176

on

Quality Management and Quality Assurance

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Application of

ANSI Procedures for U.S. Participation

in the

International Standards Activities of ISO

Edition: January 2008

Revision 4 DRAFT – 01/06/11

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REVISION LOG

Rev. Date Approved by TAG Prepared Principally by Comments

0 January 1991 J.H. Hooper P.A. Kopp

New.

1 April 1993 J.H. Hooper P.A. Kopp

Substantive additions and editorial refinement.

2 March 11, 1997 Members of TAG. Special thanks to I. Durand for editorial initiatives.

Major substantive expansion.

3 August 05, 2004 J.J. Lutzel Substantive revision and reorganization.

4 To be determined H. Kiesel, H. Crawford, A. Harris, A. Jarvis

Substantive revision. Content separated into two documents: Operating Procedures and Member’s Guidance Manual.

FOREWORD

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the world’s largest developer and publisher of

International Standards.

The scope of ISO Technical Committee 176 (ISO/TC 176) is standardization in the field of quality

management (generic quality management systems and supporting technologies), as well as quality

management standardization in specific sectors at the request of the affected sector and the ISO

Technical Management Board.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is the U.S. (United States) member body of ISO in the

technical area of Quality Management and Quality Assurance. ANSI accredits the U.S. Technical

Advisory Group (TAG) to determine the U.S. position for Quality Management and Quality Assurance.

The ANSI-Accredited U.S. TAG to ISO/TC 176 shall be referred to as “TAG 176”; unless a specific

reference is required to differentiate it from other standards committees. TAG 176 consists of members

and an Administrator.

TAG 176 members represent ANSI at ISO/TC 176 (TC 176) meetings and develop U.S. positions on ISO/TC

176 documents. The U.S. TAG meets the requirements of ANSI Procedures for U.S. Participation in the

International Standards Activities of ISO.

ASQ is the U.S. TAG Administrator. ASQ is also an ANSI-Accredited Standards Development Organization

that develops and publishes ISO standards. ASQ fulfills the ANSI Essential Requirements.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS REVISION LOG ............................................................................................................................................... 2 FOREWORD ................................................................................................................................................... 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................................................... 3 1 SCOPE of TAG 176 ................................................................................................................................ 5 2 FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES of TAG 176 .................................................................................. 5 3 TAG ADMINISTRATOR .......................................................................................................................... 6 4 TAG 176 OFFICER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................. 6

4.1 TAG Chair ...................................................................................................................................... 6 4.2 Vice Chairs ..................................................................................................................................... 7 4.3 Secretary/Treasurer ...................................................................................................................... 7 4.4 Membership Chair ........................................................................................................................ 7 4.5 Subcommittee Chair ..................................................................................................................... 8 4.6 Elections ........................................................................................................................................ 8

5 TAG INTEREST CATEGORY BALANCE .................................................................................................... 8 6 TAG 176 MEMBERSHIP ......................................................................................................................... 9

6.1 Membership .................................................................................................................................. 9 6.2 Application for Membership ......................................................................................................... 9 6.3 Membership Fees........................................................................................................................ 10 6.4 Participating Members ................................................................................................................ 10 6.5 Observers .................................................................................................................................... 10 6.6 Membership Roster .................................................................................................................... 10 6.7 Review of Membership ............................................................................................................... 11

7 TAG MEETINGS ................................................................................................................................... 11 7.1 Schedules, Agendas and Minutes ............................................................................................... 11 7.2 Purpose of TAG Meetings ........................................................................................................... 11 7.3 Format of TAG Meetings ............................................................................................................. 12 7.4 Rules for Meetings ...................................................................................................................... 12 7.5 U.S. Positions at International Meetings .................................................................................... 12

8 BALLOT VOTING ................................................................................................................................. 13 8.1 Authorization of Ballots .............................................................................................................. 13 8.2 Voting .......................................................................................................................................... 13 8.3 Vote of Alternate ........................................................................................................................ 13 8.4 Voting Period .............................................................................................................................. 13 8.5 Actions Requiring Approval by Simple Majority of Those Voting ............................................... 13 8.6 Actions Requiring Approval by Two-Thirds of Those Voting ...................................................... 13 8.7 Consideration of Views and Objections on Ballots ..................................................................... 14 8.8 Report of Final Result .................................................................................................................. 14 8.9 Submittal of U.S. Position ........................................................................................................... 14

9 TERMINATION OF TAG 176 ................................................................................................................ 15 10 TAG 176 COMMUNICATIONS ............................................................................................................. 15

10.1 Internal Correspondence ........................................................................................................ 15 10.2 External Correspondence ........................................................................................................ 15

11 APPEALS .............................................................................................................................................. 16 12 PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES ......................................................................................................... 16

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13 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 16 Appendix A: Acronyms .............................................................................................................................. 17

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1 SCOPE of TAG 176

The scope of TAG 176 is to assist and develop the U.S. position on standards in the ISO 9000 family of

documents. The U.S. TAG provides an opportunity for all affected U.S. constituencies (companies,

government agencies, organizations [non-profit or educational institutions]), consultants, and

individuals to help develop the U.S. position on ISO quality concepts and terminology, quality systems,

and supporting technologies.

2 FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES of TAG 176 Functions and responsibilities of TAG 176 include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

1. Recommends registration of ANSI as a P- (Participant) or O- (Observer) member on an ISO

technical committee or subcommittee, recommends a change in ANSI membership status on an

ISO technical committee or subcommittee or recommends termination of membership as a P- or

O- member on an ISO technical committee or subcommittee.

2. Initiates and approves U.S. proposals for new work items for submission by ANSI for

consideration by an ISO technical committee or subcommittee.

3. Initiates and approves U.S. working drafts for submission by ANSI to ISO technical committees or

subcommittees (and where appropriate, working groups) for consideration as committee drafts.

4. Determines U.S. position on items including but not limited to, ISO draft International Standards,

draft technical reports, committee drafts, ISO questionnaires, draft reports of meetings.

5. Provides adequate U.S. representation to ISO technical committee or subcommittee meetings,

designates heads of delegation and members of delegations, and ensures compliance with the

ANSI Guide for U.S. Delegates to Meetings of the IEC and ISO (including preparation and

submission of a Head of Delegation report).

6. Provides U.S. representation to groups such as the Strategic Planning Group (ISO/TC 176) or

other joint/advisory positions.

7. Determines U.S. positions on agenda items of ISO technical committee or subcommittee

meetings and advises the U.S. delegation of any flexibility it may have on these positions.

8. Nominates U.S. technical experts to serve on ISO working groups.

9. Provides assistance to U.S. secretariats of ISO technical committees or subcommittees, upon

request, including resolving comments on draft international standards, draft technical reports,

and committee drafts.

10. Identifies and establishes interactive liaisons with other U.S. TAGs in related fields or identifies

ISO or IEC activities that may overlap the scope of TAG 176.

11. Recommends to ANSI the acceptance of secretariats for ISO technical committees or

subcommittees.

12. Recommends that ANSI invite ISO technical committees or subcommittees to meet in the U.S.

13. Recommends U.S. candidates to ANSI for the Chair of ISO technical committees or

subcommittees and U.S. conveners of ISO working groups.

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3 TAG ADMINISTRATOR

The TAG Administrator (ASQ, as designated by ANSI) accepts the following responsibilities to

complement and support the work of the volunteer members and officers of the TAG:

- Ensures compliance with the applicable ANSI and ISO procedures on behalf of ANSI

- Provides financial information to the TAG Treasurer for reporting

- Organizes the TAG and applies for TAG accreditation

- Determines that the representatives on the TAG participate actively and provides for

administrative services, including arrangements for meetings, and maintenance of

appropriate records

- Ensures timely preparation and distribution of all documents (including, but not limited to:

N documents, Administrative Letters, Explanatory Reports, and Draft Standards) related to

the work of the TAG, from ASQ, ANSI, and ISO

- Tallies and collates all votes and comments received on each committee draft (CD) and draft

international standard (DIS) in a timely manner, and promptly forwards the results to the

Task Group Leader and the TAG Chair

- Processes membership applications and ensures members meet participation requirements

- Regulates the TAG interest category balance by ensuring the addition of new members does

not create imbalance

- Maintains and distributes membership records for the TAG, Subcommittees, and Task

Groups

- Records the terms of officers and others in leadership positions

- Transmits to ANSI lists of U. S. delegates for all international meetings

- Transmits U.S. proposals and positions, as developed and approved by the TAG, to ANSI

- Establishes a procedure to hear appeals of actions or inactions of the TAG in accordance

with Appendix A10 of the ANSI Procedures for U.S. Participation in the International

Standards Activities of ISO

- Submits, at least annually to the ExSC (Executive Standards Council) or its designated

standards board, reports on the status of TAG work

4 TAG 176 OFFICER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 TAG Chair The Chair has overall responsibility for leading and managing the TAG. Specific responsibilities include:

- Establishes strategic direction for the TAG

- Leads the TAG in forming U.S. positions on ISO documents and issues

- Represents the U.S. as Head of Delegation at ISO meetings related to TC 176 based on U.S.

positions formulated by the TAG

- Works with Task Group Leaders to prepare voting packages for each CD, DIS, and other

formal documents such as new work item proposals (NPs); voting packages are sent by the

TAG Administrator to TAG members for ballot and/or comment

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- Reviews voting member participation and ensures the balance of interest categories meet

ANSI and U.S. TAG requirements

- Makes work assignments and assigns delegates to international meetings

- Chairs TAG meetings

- Develops TAG meeting agendas with input from Task Group Leaders and other key

participants

- Represents the TAG in appropriate ANSI forums

4.2 Vice Chairs The TAG has two Vice Chairs who are responsible for fulfilling the responsibilities of the Chair when

the Chair is unable to do so, and other responsibilities specifically delegated by the Chair which may

include:

- Chairs TAG Strategic Planning Committee and monitors implementation of Committee

decisions

- Assists in making work assignments and assigning delegates to international meetings

- Ensures, along with TAG Administrator, compliance with all ANSI procedures

- Ensures effective and productive operation of the TAG’s Task Groups

4.3 Secretary/Treasurer The TAG Secretary (who also serves as the TAG Treasurer) is appointed by the TAG Administrator.

The term runs concurrent with the TAG Chair. The Secretary/Treasurer:

- Keeps a record of each TAG meeting and issues comprehensive minutes within one week

after each meeting after approval by the Chair

- Works with other TAG officers, TAG members, and TAG Administrator to design and

implement procedures that will facilitate TAG work processes

- Oversees the financial aspects of TAG activities, including working with the TAG

Administrator to collect, steward, dispense, and account for TAG funds; and financial

reporting to the TAG during the meetings

- Performs other responsibilities as delegated by the Chair

4.4 Membership Chair The Membership Chair is appointed by the TAG Chair to a term concurrent with the TAG Chair. The

Membership Chair:

- Along with the TAG Chair and TAG Administrator, monitors and reviews TAG membership,

and new applications

- Works with the TAG Administrator to ensure the TAG has interest category balance,

including outreach to recruit new members

- Sends out a welcome letter to new members, introduces new members at TAG meetings

- Conducts new member orientation

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4.5 Subcommittee Chair The TAG has three Subcommittee Chairs (SC1, SC2, and SC3). Each Subcommittee Chair has specific

responsibilities which include:

- Serves as US TAG 176 Head of Delegation/Lead Delegate to respective 176/SC at

international meetings

- Monitors and reports on respective 176/SC current and new works in process

- Assists in developing US consensus positions

- Serves as US expert or alternate as assigned on specific work items

- Serves as a member of the liaison group for US TAGs to ISO TC 207/176

4.6 Elections The TAG Chair, Vice Chairs, and Subcommittee Chairs are elected by the members of TAG 176 for

concurrent three-year terms, with a limit of three terms. All terms begin January 1. Six months

before the expiration of these terms, the TAG Chair will appoint a nominating committee of not less

than three TAG members to nominate candidates for these positions.

In the event that any TAG officer is unable to complete their term, a nominating committee

appointed by the TAG Chair will nominate a candidate(s) to fill the vacant position(s) for the

remainder of the term. Election of a candidate requires approval by at least a majority of the

membership through a formal recorded vote.

If a Subcommittee Chair is unable to attend a meeting, the Chair or Vice Chair will appoint the

delegation leader.

5 TAG INTEREST CATEGORY BALANCE

All directly and materially affected U.S. national interested parties shall have the opportunity for fair and

equitable participation in all TAG activities without dominance by any single interest category.

Dominance means a position or exercise of dominant authority, leadership, or influence. The

requirement implicit in the phrase “without dominance by any single interest” normally will be satisfied

if a reasonable balance among interests can be achieved. Unless it is claimed by a directly and

materially affected person that a single interest dominated the standards activity, to the exclusion of fair

and equitable consideration of other viewpoints, no test for dominance is required.

TAG 176 has identified five interest categories:

- Company - For profit business, such as Intel, Boeing, American Airlines, J&V Brothers (generally

.com)

- Consultant - An individual or a company who is in the consulting business for Quality Systems

and Management or any Quality Standards, ISO training or ISO auditing

- Individual - Represent themselves or have a general interest in TAG business, includes retirees

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- Organization - Non-profit or not-for-profit entity, including academia and professional societies

(generally .edu or .org)

- Government - Works for federal, state or local government (generally .gov)

The Membership and the TAG Chairs monitor interest category balance as new members apply.

Additionally, the TAG Administrator reports the overall interest category balance of TAG 176 to the

membership bi-annually.

6 TAG 176 MEMBERSHIP

6.1 Membership Membership shall be open to all U.S. national interested parties who indicate that they are directly

and materially affected by the activity of the TAG. There shall be no undue financial barriers to

participation.

6.2 Application for Membership Individuals applying for TAG 176 membership should have demonstrated expertise with QMS

Standards. Applicants demonstrate expertise with QMS by submitting their resume or curriculum

vitae during the application process. The applicant shall submit a request for membership to the

TAG Administrator, indicating the applicant's direct and material interest in the TAG's work and

willingness to participate actively the applicant’s interest category.

Each applicant will identify their interest category, subject to verification by the TAG Administrator.

Applicants representing Companies, Consultants, Organizations, or Government agencies may

identify an alternate. The alternate must be from the same entity.

New membership applications are reviewed and processed by the TAG Administrator and then

referred to the TAG Chair and the Membership Chair for confirmation prior to the balloting process.

Recommendations for new participating members will be brought before the TAG for a formal

recorded vote with approval by a majority of the participating members.

In recommending action on applications for membership, the TAG Administrator shall consider:

- The appropriateness of the involvement of each interest in the work of the TAG

- The potential for dominance by a single interest

- The extent of interest expressed by the applicant, and the applicant's willingness to

participate actively

If representatives from distinct divisions of an organization can demonstrate independent interests

and authority to make independent decisions in the area of the activity of the TAG, each may apply

for membership.

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When appropriate, the TAG Administrator may recommend that the applicant seek representation

through an organization that is already represented by a member who represents the same or

similar interests.

6.3 Membership Fees All members will be charged an annual fee in an amount established by the TAG Administrator and

approved by the TAG Chair to cover the administrative costs. Invoices will be sent to each member

in the last quarter of the calendar year. If dues are not paid within the due date, the member will be

removed from the roster and will not be able to re-apply until the following year.

If a participating member is experiencing financial hardship due to unemployment, the member may

submit a waiver form stating their situation for consideration by the TAG 176 leadership and ASQ. If

approved, this waiver will be effective for one year or until employment is secured during that year.

At the time of employment, the member is required to notify the Standards Team at ASQ and the

membership dues will be prorated.

6.4 Participating Members Participating members are responsible for active involvement in TAG and Subcommittee activities,

and are expected to vote on all TAG matters. Specific responsibilities include:

- Active participation in a Subcommittee, in a special assignment, or as a TAG officer

- Timely response of 80% of all ballots over a two-year period

- Attendance, in person or electronically, at 75% of TAG meetings over a two-year period

At a minimum, the TAG Administrator shall annually review the TAG membership, to ensure that

participating members are meeting their membership obligations as shown above. The TAG

Administrator will notify the TAG Chair when a member is not fulfilling their obligations. A

participating member, who fails to meet their obligations, will be notified in writing by the TAG Chair

that continued failure will result in removal as a participating member from the TAG. The TAG Chair

will administer these criteria with appropriate discretion.

6.5 Observers Observers are advised of TAG activities, receive copies of TAG documents, may attend meetings, and

may submit comments, including comments on balloted documents, for consideration. Observers

have no voting privileges.

6.6 Membership Roster The Administrator shall maintain the list of TAG 176 members and the organization they represent.

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The roster shall include the following:

- Title and designation of the TAG

- Scope of the TAG

- TAG Administrator [name of organization, name of secretary, address(es), telephone]

- TAG officers (Chair and other officers)

- Members:

o Names of individuals and alternates (as applicable) and their addresses and business

affiliations including name of the organization they are representing on the TAG

o The interest category of each individual and alternate (as applicable)

6.7 Review of Membership The TAG Administrator shall review the membership list annually. Members are expected to

participate actively by fulfilling attendance, voting, correspondence, and other obligations. Where a

member is found in default of these obligations, the TAG Administrator shall direct the matter to the

TAG Chair for appropriate action, which may include termination of membership.

7 TAG MEETINGS

7.1 Schedules, Agendas and Minutes Meetings of TAG 176 and meetings of the U.S. delegates to international meetings should be

scheduled to respond to international activities. TAG 176 will hold meetings necessary to conduct

its business, typically two times per year, usually adjacent to the meeting date and place of the ANSI

ASC Z1 Committee, or by petition of a majority of the members. However, the Chair can call a

meeting at any time provided members are notified in writing and a quorum will likely be present.

Meetings of the TAG shall be open to all members and others having direct and material interest.

Meeting notification and agendas shall be sent to members and to others expressing interest

approximately thirty days prior to a meeting.

Minutes are to be made available no later than one week after the meeting.

7.2 Purpose of TAG Meetings The primary purpose of TAG meetings is to formulate U.S. positions on key issues, make decisions,

recommend new work items, and take actions related to international quality standards that

advance and support the needs of U.S. Industry and facilitate international trade. TAG decisions

include:

- Determining U.S. positions on important TAG 176 related issues; pertaining to international

standard strategies, plans, policies, and other issues including resolutions, CDs, and DISs

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- Confirming U.S. delegates to international standards meetings

- Discussing and adopting new or revised TAG rules and procedures

- Discussing and adopting new or revised TAG liaisons

- Internal TAG administrative decisions that require TAG confirmation

A secondary purpose of TAG meetings is to hear and discuss important TAG reports such as:

- Reports by Subcommittee Lead Experts

- Liaison Reports

- Special reports on significant current or emerging issues

- Reports identifying opportunities and best practices

7.3 Format of TAG Meetings With the exception of Subcommittee Lead Experts, Liaisons, and important TAG reports, all other

TAG meeting agenda items will be focused on important issues for decisions, actions, or formulating

U.S. positions. Agenda items will include material that provides the background on the issue and

position, decision, or action options. Where possible, this material will be provided in advance. The

TAG discussion may modify the position, decision, or action options, and will help TAG members

decide which option to select. Routine reports either from the TAG officers and the Administrator

will be submitted to the Secretary/Treasurer for inclusion in the minutes of the meeting.

7.4 Rules for Meetings Quorum for a TAG meeting is 20% of members in attendance, either in person or by electronic

means. The TAG cannot conduct official business at a TAG meeting unless a quorum is present. The

TAG Administrator will inform the TAG leaders at the beginning of a meeting if a quorum is present.

This is immediately followed by proposals for any changes to the agenda. Meetings are conducted in

accordance with the Operating Procedures for voting and all other activities specified.

7.5 U.S. Positions at International Meetings Unless working as technical experts, U.S. delegates are responsible for presenting U.S. positions as

determined by the TAG. Even when working as technical experts in WGs, U.S. delegates represent

established positions of the TAG. However, in all cases, the TAG empowers the U.S. delegation to

use their best judgment to respond to changing situations at international meetings. This may

include deviating from previously established TAG positions when necessary, unless specifically

instructed not to under defined circumstances. Annex B Guidelines for Determining a U.S. Voting

Position contained in the current edition of ANSI Procedures for U.S. Participation in the

International Standards Activities of ISO apply.

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8 BALLOT VOTING

8.1 Authorization of Ballots A ballot may be authorized by:

- Majority vote of those present at a TAG 176 meeting after a quorum has been established

- The TAG Chair

- The U.S. TAG Administrator

- Petition of five members of TAG 176 or a majority of TAG 176, whichever is less

8.2 Voting Each member shall vote according to ballot instructions.

8.3 Vote of Alternate An alternate's vote is counted only if the principal representative fails to vote.

8.4 Voting Period The voting period for ballots shall be established to allow for timely response to international time

limits. An extension may be granted at the option of the TAG Chair or Administrator when

warranted (e.g., when the requirements for approval or disapproval specified by section 8.5 or 8.6 in

this document).

8.5 Actions Requiring Approval by Simple Majority of Those Voting The following actions require a ballot or an equivalent formal recorded vote with approval by a

simple majority of the voting TAG members, excluding abstentions:

- Approval of officers appointed by the TAG Administrator or nominated by TAG members

- Formation of a subgroup, including its procedures, scope, and duties

- Disbandment of a subgroup

- Addition of new TAG members

- Approval of minutes

- Other actions of the committee not specified elsewhere

8.6 Actions Requiring Approval by Two-Thirds of Those Voting The following actions must be approved by at least two-thirds of those voting by ballot, excluding

abstentions, or if at a meeting, by two-thirds of those present, excluding abstentions, provided that

a majority of the total voting membership of the TAG is present: (If a majority is not present, the

vote shall be confirmed by ballot.)

- Adoption of TAG procedures, categories of interests, or revisions thereof

- Approval of recommendation to change the TAG scope

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- Approval of U.S. position on technical matters brought before the TAG (i.e., NP, CD, DIS,

FDIS)

- Approval of recommendation to terminate the TAG

The TAG Administrator shall report ballot results to the appropriate authorities (ExSC, ISO Team at

ANSI, etc).

8.7 Consideration of Views and Objections on Ballots The TAG Administrator shall forward the views and objections received to the TAG Chair, or their

designee. The Chair shall determine whether the expressed views and objections shall be

considered by telephone, correspondence, or at a meeting.

Prompt consideration shall be given to the expressed views and objections of all participants

including those commenting on a draft international standard (DIS) listing in Standards Action. A

concerted effort to resolve all expressed objections shall be made, and each objector shall be

advised of the disposition of the objection and the reasons therefore.

Substantive changes required to resolve objections, and unresolved objections, shall be reported to

the TAG 176 members to afford all members an opportunity within appropriate time limits to

respond, to reaffirm, or to change their position.

8.8 Report of Final Result The final result of the voting shall be reported to the Task Group Leader and TAG Chair.

8.9 Submittal of U.S. Position Upon completion of the procedures for voting, consideration of views and objections, and appeals,

the U.S. position, which represents the U.S. consensus, shall be submitted to ANSI by the TAG

Administrator. ANSI, as the official ISO member body, is responsible for the Information Submitted.

The information supplied to ANSI shall include:

- Title and designation of the document

- Indication of the type of action requested (for example, approval of a new DIS or

reaffirmation, revision, or withdrawal of an existing DIS, questionnaire, etc.)

- Status of any appeal action related to approval of the proposed U.S. position

- A summary of the voting and TAG 176 member responses

- Identification of all unresolved views and objections, names of the objector(s), and a report

of attempts toward resolution

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9 TERMINATION OF TAG 176

A proposal to terminate a TAG may be made by directly and materially affected interests. The proposal

shall be submitted in writing to ANSI and to the TAG Administrator and shall include the reasons why the

TAG should be terminated. The TAG shall take action in accordance with actions requiring approval by

two-thirds of those voting. (See section 8.6.) If the action results in termination of the TAG, the TAG

Chair will notify the TAG Administrator and the TAG Administrator shall announce the termination in

ANSI Standards Action, which provides a public forum to disclose TAG activities.

As a result of action taken in accordance with section 8.6, should termination of the TAG be approved,

notification of such action shall be announced in Standards Action. The announcement shall note that

dissolution of the TAG will result in the U.S. relinquishing its P- (Participant) status in the international

activity. Also, if the U.S. serves as international secretariat, the announcement shall state that the U.S.

will resign as international secretariat. The appropriate notification(s) shall be sent to ISO Central

Secretariat regarding the change in status, and the relinquishment of the secretariat, if applicable.

10 TAG 176 COMMUNICATIONS

10.1 Internal Correspondence Formal correspondence that should be copied to the TAG Administrator and TAG Chair via fax or email includes:

- Ballots

- Copies of all comments on CDs and DISs

- Replies to votes that do not concur with recommendations

- Summaries of ballot results

10.2 External Correspondence External communications such as inquiries relating to the TAG 176 should be directed to the TAG

Administrator, and members should so inform individuals who raise such questions. All replies to

inquiries shall be made through the TAG Administrator.

Correspondence of TAG 176 officers and the Administrator should preferably be on "U.S. TAG

correspondence" letterhead.

All correspondence between the TAG and ANSI or between the TAG and ISO is the responsibility of

either the TAG Chair or TAG Administrator.

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11 APPEALS Directly and materially affected U.S. national interested parties who believe they have been or will be

adversely affected by an action or inaction of the TAG or its Administrator shall have the right to appeal.

See the current edition of ANSI Procedures for U.S. Participation in the International Standards Activities

of ISO for details.

12 PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES On questions of parliamentary procedures not addressed in these procedures, Robert’s Rules of Order

Newly Revised may be used to expedite due process.

13 REFERENCES Unless specific reference is made to an earlier version, the latest edition of the following references shall

apply:

- ANSI Procedures for U.S. Participation in the International Standards Activities of ISO

- ANSI Essential Requirements: Due process requirements for American National Standards

- ANSI Guide for U.S. Delegates to Meetings of the IEC and ISO

- ANSI Standards Action

- Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised

- TAG 176 Member’s Guidance Manual (scheduled for release Q2 2011)

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Appendix A: Acronyms

Acronym Full Title

ANSI American National Standards Institute

ASC Accredited Standards Committee

ASQ American Society for Quality

CD Committee Draft

DIS Draft International Standard

ExSC Executive Standards Council

FDIS Final Draft International Standard

IEC International Electrotechnical Commission

ISO International Organization for Standardization

NP New Work Item Proposal

QMS Quality Management System

SC Subcommittee

TAG Technical Advisory Group

TAG Leadership Chair, Vice Chairs, Secretary/Treasurer, Membership Chair and Subcommittee Chairs

TC Technical Committee

WG Working Group