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+====== Voluntary Consensus Standard ======
+[[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:start|Go up to Terms and Definitions]]
+===== Discussion =====
+A voluntary consensus standard is a type of standard developed or adopted by a
+[[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:v:voluntary_consensus_standards_body|Voluntary Consensus Standards Body]]
+through a voluntary consensus standards development process.
+The process includes:
+  * Openness to interested parties
+  * Meaningful participation on a non-discriminatory basis
+  * Balance among represented interests
+  * Documented and publicly available procedures
+  * Adequate notice and review opportunities
+  * Fair consideration and resolution of conflicting views
+  * An impartial appeals process
+  * Consensus that does not require unanimity
+The term voluntary describes the standards development system and the non-governmental origin of the standard. It does not mean that every use of the standard remains optional. A law, regulation, procurement instrument, contract, or organizational policy may require conformance with a voluntary consensus standard.
+Under United States federal standards policy, agencies use voluntary consensus standards instead of government-unique standards when such use is consistent with applicable law and practical for the agency's requirements.
+===== Definition =====
+//Standard developed or adopted by a voluntary consensus standards body through an open, balanced, due-process-based, appealable, and consensus-based process.//
+===== Source =====
+* National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995, Public Law 104-113
+* Office of Management and Budget, Circular A-119: Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities
+* National Institute of Standards and Technology, Federal Policy on Standards
+===== Note =====
+Voluntary does not mean non-binding. An authority may incorporate a voluntary consensus standard into a regulation, procurement requirement, contract, conformance profile, or organizational policy.
+OMB Circular A-119 distinguishes voluntary consensus standards from government-unique standards and from other private-sector standards that do not satisfy all attributes of the voluntary consensus process.
+A standard does not qualify as a voluntary consensus standard solely because industry participants use it widely or because its content is publicly available.
+===== Example =====
+A federal agency may incorporate a suitable voluntary consensus standard into a procurement specification instead of developing a government-unique technical standard.
+----
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