Regarding the standards... standards are written by guys like you and me.
Experts in the WG and national committees are not paid for their knowledge
(which actually is one of the finest on the planet !) , and many of them will
confirm that they (or their employer) actually need to pay to transfer their
expertise to IEC. Many members will lack motivation (or are not allowed ) to
really spend time in correcting, drafting and searching for problems in
standards texts. Participating in standards work is a kind of charity, but for
those who are nominated to defend their employers interests. So small errors
are easily overlooked, and it seems that you found a few of them.
Standards work is to a significant extent supported by people who, for whatever
reason, have more than normal time to devote to it. Quite a large proportion
are formally retired, and for them, continued participation is not only 'making
a difference' but also essential intellectual exercise.
Well… we have a number of different standards committee member motivations (to
attend a meeting):
* Learn the standard
* Protect the employer
* Employer-paid travel with time off from normal work
* Liaison with peers
* Critique or support standards proposals
* Present a proposal
Employer may or may not encourage the member to prepare for a meeting and to
make proposals. In my experience, the work comes first, and any preparation
time is after the work is done. Meeting attendance cannot short-change the
work, so attendance at any one meeting is not guaranteed.
Proposals for standards or standards changes are based on majority vote, not
necessarily based on engineering or science. (There are rarely qualifications
for standards committee members.) Few members understand technical issues and
English standards-writing principles.
Rich
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