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NSSF (The National Standards Strategic Framework)This is the title of a discussion document jointly produced by the DTI, CBI and BSI. As one may expect from such august bodies it carries a significant amount of high-sounding idealism, mission statements and objectives. It is however, very difficult to understand exactly what it is on about. QBSA originally felt it necessary to voice its concerns that the paper on the NSSF may be a precursor to yet another self-governing quango type organisation. However following a workshop in December it is felt that this may not be the case but that the initiative will fade away unless it can produce more tangible objectives in the new year. These are scheduled to be produced at the end of January. QBSA understand that funding of the NSSF will be crucial to the success of the initiative but moreover, as the need for its function by industry (as opposed to various government departments who constituted the bulk of attendees at the December workshop), has not been firmly established, it is doubted that it will ever be perceived as 'getting off the ground'. Nevertheless, QBSA encourage any activity that can be shown to assist UK industry gaining increased benefits from standardisation. It is just a pity that this initiative does not show that kind of promise at the moment. We hope that we turn out to be wrong. Further details at |
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