Note for the developers:

The questions and answers given below are only suggestions for this section of the site. "PSI" represents the name of the organization . E-mail addresses should be inserted as appropriate.

Many questions are given without answers. The answers should be inserted by the developers. In either case, all questions and answers may be modified, deleted or new ones created as needed by the organization. New sub-sections may also be created, and therefore, these pages may be expanded in response to any increasing amount of re-occurring questions encountered by the organization.

CONTENTS

1. General information on PSI

2. Standards

3. Conformity assessment and certification

4. Miscellaneous

1. General information on PSI   [back to top]

1.1 Just what is PSI?

1.2 Who runs PSI?

1.3 Where can I find facts and figures on PSI?

The online Annual Report provides facts and figures on PSI's achievements, standards production, etc...

1.4 How can I keep up to date on PSI and its activities?

Check out this site regularly, especially our News section and read the monthly bulletin which provides an overview of PSI's activities. To subscribe, contact the sales department: [appropriate e-mail address to be inserted]

1.5 Who pays for PSI?

1.6 Can one become a member?

1.7 Where can I find out what standards PSI has to offer?

The online catalogue provides lists of published standards and publications other than standards.

1.8 Does PSI provide courses on standardization and related activities?

Information about courses and training is given in the section Training and education of this site.

2. Standards  [back to top]

2.1 What can I do if I’m looking for a standard, but I’m not sure if it exists?

Browsing the list of standards arranged in accordance with the International Classification for Standards (ICS). In addition, the online catalogue provides a search engine which allows you to search by keyword or reference number. Further assistance is available through our customers service department: [appropriate e-mail address to be inserted]

2.2 Where can I find links to other standards bodies (international, regional or national)?

Consult the World Standards Services Network (WSSN), accessible via the PSI home page. It contains links to international, regional and national standardization bodies, including international and regional organizations which develop standards in their specialized subject area, in addition to their principal activity.

2.3 How can I find out which standards are equivalent to other standards (international, regional or national)?

2.4 Can I access PSI standards online or through some other electronic database?

2.5 Can I order PSI standards and publications online?

2.6 Where can I obtain technical assistance on standards?

All enquiries for technical assistance should be sent to the customer service department: [appropriate e-mail address to be inserted]

2.7 Can I reproduce material from PSI standards?

2.8 What can I expect to find in an PSI standard?

2.9 Technology moves on – what about PSI standards?

2.10 Does PSI have standards for everything?

2.11 What other products does PSI offer?

Lists of our products are available in the section Products and services of this site.

2.12 How does PSI decide what standards to develop?

2.13 Who actually develops PSI standards?

2.14 How are PSI standards developed?

The development stages of PSI standards are described in the section Standards development of this site.

2.15 What should I do if I want to take part in the development of a standard?

2.16 Are PSI standards mandatory?

3. Conformity assessment and certification  [back to top]

3.1 What does ‘conformity assessment’ mean?

At its simplest, "conformity assessment" means checking that products, materials, services, systems or people measure up to the specifications of a relevant standard. For example, a customer may want to check that the product he or she ordered from a supplier meets the purpose for which it is required. One of the most efficient ways to do this is when the specifications of the product have been defined in a standard. That way, both supplier and customer are on the same wavelength, even if they are based in different countries, because they are both using the same references.

3.2 Does PSI carry out conformity assessment and certification?

3.3 Does PSI offer any consulting services for companies wishing to obtain certification of conformity to any standard?

4. Miscellaneous  [back to top]

4.1 Where can I obtain information about import and export regulations?

4.2 Can I reproduce material from this site?

4.3 Can I link to this site or one of its sections?

4.4 Can I reproduce material from one of your print publications?