The ICT Standards Board (ICTSB) is a collaborative group of organisations concerned with standardization and related activities in information and communications technologies.
ICTSB acts as a co-ordination point and facilitates exchanges of views between the member organisations and with other interested parties. It makes proposals and recommendations for consideration by the member organisations and others.
Its key aspiration is to support an effective European standardization system, involving all the relevant players and facilitating the provision of information to users on standardization activities.
ICTSB membership comprises the three European Standardization Organisations, CEN, CENELEC and ETSI and other specification-providing organisations, whether these are European or global bodies that have a presence in Europe. ICTSB may invite additional organizations in order to ensure the participation of other relevant players in ICT specification/standardisation. New members may be added at any time with the ICTSB's agreement by consensus.
A list of the current Members is at Annex A.
2.1 Specific standardization requirements
The ICTSB may consider standardization requirements from any source, including on its own initiative. It shall give due consideration to these requirements from a technical perspective, taking account of the availability of resources in the member organisations, and support there to carry out the work. It shall ensure that due account is taken of ongoing standardization work, whether in member organisations or elsewhere, with the objectives of avoiding duplication of effort and conflicts, and maximising complementarity.
It may also consider aspects of existing standardization work within the member organisations that require additional collaboration. New work shall be considered on a project management basis.
The ICTSB's recommendations may include proposals, new or modified standardization work programmes or individual work items, and their allocation to the relevant organisations. The ICTSB shall propose co-ordination arrangements, reporting mechanisms and target dates.
The acceptance and implementation of the recommendations within member organisations shall be subject to those organisations' own procedures: any recommendations that members are unable to accept shall be subject to further discussion in ICTSB.
2.2 Co-ordination of external policy issues
The ICTSB may maintain a dialogue with the EU and EFTA on standardization, especially concerning public interest, within the ICT field. This dialogue may contribute to specifying and allocating mandates.
The ICTSB shall seek to reach a common view on arising issues as far as possible, and address its resulting deliberations and recommendations to members (and to other organisations) as appropriate. The recommendations shall not be binding on the members.
2.3 Provision of information
The members undertake to keep the ICTSB informed of overall developments in their own organisations, and endeavour to provide a summary to each meeting for information and discussion as appropriate.
2.4 Promotion
ICTSB may carry out specific promotional activities of interest to the members, including provision of brochures and web pages, holding of seminars or other open meetings, etc. One or more member organisations shall assume responsibility for the funding of such activities.
ICTSB shall hold physical meetings as and when required. Activities between meetings should as far as possible be carried out electronically.
The ICTSB shall be organised in delegations of up to five persons representing each of the European Standards Organisations and up to two from other members. Delegates should mainly be drawn from manufacturers, network operators, service providers, regulators and users.
In addition to the member organisations, the European Commission (usually DGs ENTR and INFSO), the EFTA Secretariat and ANEC shall be Observers to the ICTSB, and have the right to attend all meetings. Other individuals and organisations may be invited by the Chairman to attend a single ICTSB meeting as guests.
ICTSB may establish Working Groups or ad hoc groups to deal with specific issues. If required, Working Groups or ad hoc groups may include persons other than delegates to the ICTSB, from other organisations, and also technical experts from member organisations. The Terms of Reference and membership (including the convenor and any secretariat arrangements) of Working Groups and ad hoc groups shall be approved by ICTSB. Working Groups and ad hoc groups shall be disbanded when they have completed the tasks set.
ICTSB may appoint Project Teams to prepare draft material. The Terms of Reference of such Project Teams shall be approved by the ICTSB. Prior to the establishment of a Project Team, its financing must be assured by the ICTSB. ICTSB shall assume the responsibility to confirm the completion of the Project Team work and shall review any report and take appropriate action on recommendations. .Project Team calling notices shall be placed on the web; the members shall be chosen by a neutral Selection Panel agreed by the ICTSB. Where a Project Team is required, an ICTSB member must accept the responsibility for the administrative and financial arrangements.
The ICTSB and any subordinate groups shall work by consensus. In the event of consensus not being reached, all views shall be recorded.
The ICTSB Chair shall be a market player elected for a term of two years by the member organisations. Up to two Vice-Chairs may also be elected. In the event of there being more than one candidate for Chair or Vice-Chairs, an election shall be held by secret ballot, with each member organisation having the same number of votes as its entitlement to delegates. Re-elections are possible.
The ICTSB Secretariat will be provided jointly by the European Standards Organizations on a permanent basis; address c/o ETSI F-06921 Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France. Other member organisations may assume responsibility for Secretariats of Working Groups or ad hoc groups where required.
ICTSB Membership list (as of 12 July 2001)
Observers