UNSC/IEC TAGs - Voting

The Default Voting Procedure described in Annex A may be used for TAG ballots. When a TAG uses this Procedure, Clause 9.6 d does not apply. (See ANNEX A)

10.1 TAG Member Voting

Each member may vote one of the following positions.

10.1.1 IEC Ballot Document Voting

Within the TAG, when voting on an IEC document, the TAG member is indicating how the TAG should vote and must select one of the following options:

a) Affirmative – Comments optional

b) Negative – Comments mandatory (In all but administrative matters, the reasons for a negative vote shall be given, should be technical in nature, and should include wording or actions that would resolve the objection.)

c) Abstain – Comments optional

d) No Position taken on the document – Comments optional

Note 1: A No Position vote means that there is no support by the TAG member for any of the other options. No Position votes are not included in the final voting tally, but are considered to meet the obligation of a TAG member to provide an input on the document. This position means that the voter does not wish to be included in the establishment of a consensus for a particular ballot. This is different from the case where the voter wants the USNC to abstain, in which case an abstain vote is to be cast.

This distinction can be important depending on the definition of a TAG quorum as No Position votes may be used to determine whether a quorum is reached depending on the individual TAG quorum procedures. In any case, No Position votes are not used when determining the final U.S. Position on a document.

Note 2: Abstain, in the context of the IEC/ISO voting process, indicates that the USNC has chosen not to participate in the decision process for the inquiry in question. The decision to submit a vote of “ABSTAIN” can arise from a variety of circumstances, including the following:

1. Inability of the TAG to achieve consensus on a compromise position by any means possible within the time constraints of the IEC process

2. Decision by the TAG to neither support nor oppose a particular IEC proposal based on political considerations

3. TA/TAG/TAG Secretary did not submit a vote on time

4. Insufficient TAG members respond to meet quorum requirements (TAG procedures specifies submitting “ABSTAIN” in that case)

The TAG is advised to consider, when attempting to reach consensus, that the international community may interpret a vote to “ABSTAIN” as follows:

1. The USNC does not have a stake in the IEC proposal under consideration;

2. The USNC does not wish to take a position because of certain considerations;

3. The USNC did not make the effort to submit a position; or

4. The USNC could not reach a conclusion.

Note 3: See Annex B.6 for an explanation of the criteria suggested for determining whether to vote “AFFIRMATIVE,” “NEGATIVE,” or “ABSTAIN.”

10.1.2 TAG Procedural Voting

When voting on internal TAG procedural matters, the TAG member is indicating a preference on an issue and the following options shall be:

a) Approve

b) Disapprove with comments

c) No Position (See 10.1.1)

10.2 Vote of Alternate

An alternate’s vote is counted only if the principal representative fails to vote.

10.3 Voting Period

The voting period for letter ballots shall be established to allow for timely response to international time limits. An extension may be granted at the option of the TA, Chairman, or TAG Secretary when warranted (e.g. when the requirements for approval of disapproval specified by 10.5 or 10.6 are not achieved).

10.4 Authorization of Letter Ballots

A letter ballot may be authorized by:

a) majority vote of those voting members present at a TAG meeting

b) the Technical Advisor

c) the Chairman

d) the TAG Secretary

e) a petition of five members of the TAG or a majority of the TAG, whichever is less Note--“Letter ballots” are normally conducted via e-mail or AAMI’s online standards platform (AAMI Committee Central).

10.5 Actions Requiring Approval by Majority

The following actions require a letter ballot or an equivalent formal recorded vote with approval by a majority of the TAG voting members, excluding No Position votes:

a) Approval of officers appointed by the TA/TAG Secretary or nominated by members of the TAG

b) Recommendation for TA nomination

c) Formation of a subgroup, including its procedures, scope, and duties

d) Disbandment of a subgroup

e) Other actions of the TAG not specified elsewhere

10.6 Actions Requiring Approval by Two-Thirds of Those Voting

The following actions must be approved by at least two-thirds of those voting by letter ballot, excluding No Positions votes or, if at a meeting, by two-thirds of those present, excluding No Positions votes, provided a quorum exists. If a quorum does not exist, the vote shall be confirmed by letter ballot:

a) Adoption of TAG procedures, categories of interests, or revisions thereof

b) Approval of recommendation to change the TAG scope

c) Approval of recommendation of appointment of a USNC TAG Administrator

d) Approval of U.S. position on technical matters brought before the USNC TAG (i.e., DC, NP, CD, CDV, FDIS)

e) Approval of recommendation to terminate the TAG

10.7 Consideration on Views and Objections to Ballots

The TA, in cooperation with Chair and Secretary of the TAG, 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 Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) listed in ANSI’s Standards Action publication. 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.

Comments, including objections or differing views, shall be reported to the TAG members to afford all members an opportunity, with appropriate time limits, to object to the submittal of comments to the USNC Office. When voting quorum or consensus on ballots requiring a vote is not present, TAG members shall be notified and given the opportunity to reaffirm or change their position on the vote.

If a consensus position cannot be determined for some differing views, neither view shall be presented.

If the differing view is with regard to voting yes or no, an abstention shall be submitted.

10.8 Report of Final Result

The final result of the voting shall be reported to the TAG.

10.9 Submittal of USNC Positions

USNC positions shall be processed as follows:

10.9.1 Responsibility for Submission

Upon completion of the procedures for voting, consideration of views and objections, and appeals, the U.S. position shall be submitted to the USNC General Secretary’s Office by the TA, DTA, or TAG Secretary in electronic format and utilizing the required ISO/IEC/CEN/CENELEC electronic balloting commenting template (Latest Version) for comments.The TA, DTA, and TAG Secretary shall come to an agreement on who has the primary responsibility for submitting recommended ballot responses to the USNC Office. They shall cross check each other to ensure timely submittal of responses to the USNC General Secretary.

Some back-up mechanism among the TAG Officers must be identified in the event of unusual circumstances for filing ballots that are required to maintain “P” members status for the USNC. If a TAG’s recommended vote/comments are not received by the USNC Office by the required deadline, typically two weeks before the IEC deadline, a “STAFF ABSTENTION” will be submitted and those involved will be so notified. The USNC Office, representing the U.S. IEC member body, is responsible for providing all official U.S. positions to IEC.

10.9.2 Information to be Submitted

By the designated deadline, normally two weeks prior to the announced IEC deadline, each TA or TAG Secretary shall transmit to the General Secretary of the USNC:

a) title and designation of the document

b) recommended votes and/or comments, proposals, documents, or other informational material suggesting the course of action to be followed on matters before the international committee

c) status of any appeal action related to approval of the proposed U.S. position

d) identification of all unresolved views and objectives, names of the objector(s), and a report of attempts toward resolution The TA or TAG Secretary shall ensure transmittal of the recommendations, positions, and related reasons to the members of the TAG.

The USNC General Secretary shall transmit to the IEC Central Office or TC/SC Secretary votes, comments, proposals, or informational material for consideration by the international Technical Committees or Subcommittees.

Note: When a national standard is recommended as a New Work Item Proposal, the authorization of the standard’s originating organization must be obtained prior to submittal.

Continue to Part 11 - Termination of TAG