Standards terminology can get a little confusing, especially when it comes to their status.

Here are the top 10 questions we hear most often, along with our experts’ answers.

1. What does ‘obsolescent’ mean?

Obsolescent means that a standard is not recommended for use for new equipment, but must be retained for the servicing of equipment that has a long working life, or due to legislative issues. In 2011, it was decided that the status ‘obsolescent’ was confusing and so any document with this status was withdrawn at that time.

2. Is there a grace period between when a standard is withdrawn and a new standard becomes applicable?

No, unless specified at the start of the new standard.

Withdrawn publications are not considered current and do not have standard status, but their use is a contractual matter between the parties concerned.

3. When are standards reviewed?

Standards are reviewed by their technical committees every five years. If they’re still fit for purpose, they are ‘confirmed’ and remain current. If not, they are withdrawn or revised (and the original standard number is retained).

Standards can be out of date because of factors like:

• Technological evolution

• New methods or materials

• New quality and safety requirements.

4. Why is a standard withdrawn?

A standard can be withdrawn for different reasons. It’s quite rare for standards to be withdrawn with nothing in line to replace them. Sometimes they are superseded by regulation and need to be withdrawn in order to avoid a conflict. At other times, existing standards are reviewed and updated, so the previous version is withdrawn. If a standard is retained as current, the committee that created it is obliged to regularly review it. By withdrawing a standard, you know that it was up to date until its withdrawal date and there aren’t any revisions or amendments in hand that are likely to change its status. We still keep copies of all old standards (including those that have been superseded or withdrawn) which can be purchased from BSI Knowledge.

5. How can a standard be both superseded and current?

This signifies that the standard, while having been superseded by another, is still considered to contain relevant information (current).

6. What is a reinstated standard?

This refers to a standard that has reverted back to the status ‘Current’, having previously been withdrawn.

7. There is a standard that is ‘Current, Draft for public comment’ on BSI Knowledge, but I can’t seem to comment on it. Why not?

A draft standard is open for public comment at a particular point in time. During this time, you can purchase the draft from BSI Knowledge and you can register on BSI’s Standards Development Portal to comment on it. You can buy the draft right up until the BS is published, but you will not be able to comment on it once the commenting deadline has passed and it no longer appears on the Standards Development Portal.

8. What does ‘Work in hand’ mean?

This means that there is work being undertaken on the standard and that a related draft for public comment is available.

9. What’s the relationship between ‘revised’ and ‘superseded’ standards?

All revised standards are supersessions as they are a new edition of an old one. But not all supersession are revisions. That is because supersession is a wider category. For example, a completely new standard or more than one standard can supersede an old standard.

10. Can I still use a withdrawn standard?

Withdrawn standards are essential for legal cases, historical research or when maintaining old machinery. They offer a unique insight into industrial history and are often the only source of historic technical information. For this reason, withdrawn standards can be purchased from BSI Knowledge.

However, a withdrawn publication is not considered current and does not have ‘standard’ status. An installation made in accordance with a standard after its withdrawal date would not be made in accordance with a current standard, irrespective of when it was designed. Design and installation are two separate matters, and standards users would need to consult all interested parties (including client and insurance companies) regarding what they consider acceptable.

Any further questions on standards?

By knowing how to navigate the bibliographic information of a standard on BSI Knowledge successfully, you can unlock even more value for money from BSI standards.

If you have further standards questions, there is help at hand for BSI Members as part of their subscription. Members can call on the skills and resources of the professional researchers of the BSI Member Enquiry Service. Just email knowledgecentre@bsigroup.com.

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