SABS expresses appreciation for voluntary technical committee chairpersons

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has acknowledged and recognised the voluntary work of committee chairpersons during an engagement session and workshop to synchronise the approach to chairing committees at the SABS, in Pretoria, on June 5.

The event included the welcoming of new members of chairing committees, which is critical in the development, maintenance and publication of South African National Standards (SANS), the SABS said.

The SABS develops, maintains and promotes national standards. It is a member of the International Organisation for Standardisation, the International Electro-technical Commission, the African Organisation for Standardisations, the African Electrotechnical Standardization Commission and The Southern African Development Community Cooperation in Standardization.

The SANS are developed through the consensus of technical committees and subcommittees that are made up of representatives from industry bodies, government departments, companies, academics, policy makers, regulators, individuals, consumer groups and other stakeholders to ensure an inclusive, open and transparent process.

“Committees are chaired by a person that is elected by the members of that technical committee and they then become responsible for overseeing the development process of the relevant national standard, in accordance with governance framework.

“The work of the committee chairperson is critical to the development of standards . . . Without their expertise and commitment, the SABS would not have been able to publish more than 400 SANS in the financial year that ended on March 31, 2024,” explained SABS CEO Lungelo Ntobongwana.

She noted that the chairpersons acted on a voluntary basis and that they often also hold full-time employment within their own industries.