Discover standardization
What is a voluntary standard?
Launched at the initiative of market players, the voluntary standard is a reference framework that aims to provide guidelines, technical or qualitative prescriptions for products, services or practices serving the general interest. It is the result of a consensual co-production between professionals and users who have engaged in its development. Any organization may or may not use it and refer to it; this is why the standard is said to be voluntary (source Afnor FAQ).
Our activities
The Bureau for Standardization of Aeronautics and Space is the official body responsible for developing standards in the aeronautics and space sectors, at national, European and international levels.
What is the difference between a norm and a standard ?
Norm and standard are two terms often confused, probably because they translate into the same word: "standard." In reality, they cover different concepts. A voluntary standard is a reference framework developed by economic actors in a specific sector, providing guidelines, technical or qualitative prescriptions for products, services, or practices serving the general interest. All stakeholders are represented. A standard, on the other hand, refers to recommendations or specifications proposed by a small group of actors, with a private and closed dimension, undermining the notion of general interest. Many examples exist in the field of IT equipment. A standard can become a norm when it is opened to the greatest number.
Why use voluntary standards and BNAE Recommandations Générales ?
Like patents, voluntary standards are a form of knowledge codification. Upstream, they provide reference methods and results, building a solid foundation and saving time in the innovation process. Downstream, they facilitate the dissemination of cutting-edge ideas and cutting-edge techniques. In other words, by providing the market with rules of the game, they create favorable conditions for the sharing and development of new products and services. They thus act as an innovation accelerator, promoting their commercialization in all economic sectors. Furthermore, participating in voluntary standardization allows one to stay informed and anticipate developments in a given sector or topic, and also to promote one's ideas.
What is the difference between standardization and regulation ?
Regulation is the responsibility of public authorities. It is the expression of a law or regulation, and its application is mandatory. Conversely, standards are voluntary. Compliance with them is not mandatory. They reflect companies' commitment to meeting a recognized and approved level of quality and safety. Voluntary standards can support regulation by being cited as reference documents. Only 1% of standards are mandatory. At the European level, the New Approach, a principle established in May 1985, formalizes the relationship between regulation and standardization by dividing the roles between the two: the former is responsible for setting objectives to ensure the safety and health of people or the protection of the environment (obligation of results); the latter is responsible for describing solutions to achieve the set objectives (recommendation of means).
How are standards developed? And by whom?
Standards, whether French, European, or international, are developed by experts who sit on our standards committees. They come from the aeronautics and space industries, as well as from state and parastatal organizations. Within these committees, they draft new documents and influence the content of European or international documents through their votes. The only chance to influence the technical content of future standards is to participate in the work of the standards committees.
Why and how to participate in the development of standards?
The main benefits cited by our participating experts are:
- Actively participating in defining technical requirements
- Anticipating and adapting to market developments
- Better harmonization of industrial practices, generating economies of scale
- Improved quality, reliability, and safety of parts
- Peer exchange and network expansion
To participate, click the button below, which will inform you of the conditions for participating in the BNAE standardization committees, depending on your organization's category.
Where to buy voluntary standards?
Since 2009, Afnor has been the one-stop shop for obtaining French and European standards. It also markets ISO standards. Regarding the prENs developed by ASD-STAN, you can obtain them from the BNAE. The BNAE naturally markets its own documents (general recommendations). We invite you to click on the button opposite to access our online catalog.
What is the role of the BNAE in the field of standardization ?
The Bureau de Normalisation de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace (Bureau for Standardization of Aeronautics and Space) is responsible for promoting aeronautics and space standardization and defending the interests of all its stakeholders, whether industrial, state, or parastatal. Its role is therefore to inform them, encourage them to actively contribute to ongoing standards projects, and propose new standardization topics to meet undetermined current or future needs.
Benefits of standardization
Benefits for groups
For all aircraft, engine, and system manufacturers, as well as all major players in the aerospace supply chain, participating in the BNAE's work represents a real added value. First and foremost, on a technological level, since these companies will be able to develop the technologies of tomorrow in collaboration with suppliers and manufacturers. They will also be able to benefit from monitoring activities carried out elsewhere and exert influence where necessary to counter alternatives that would hamper their market. It should also be noted that standardization also contributes to economies of scale throughout the supply chain.
Approach new markets and contribute to innovation
SMEs can freely participate in BNAE activities and, in this sense, become members of the standards committees in several technical fields. This is a unique opportunity to exchange with other SMEs, but especially with current or future clients. SMEs also contribute their expertise and capacity for innovation, which is so sought after in the aeronautics and space sector, which has long remained ahead of the curve in this area.
Facilitate the implementation of markets and the development of programs
For our state and parastatal stakeholders, standardization is of paramount importance. Indeed, for a very long time, the BNAE has developed documents that have made it possible, particularly in the defense sector, to precisely define specific frameworks for program management (the famous general recommendations, for example RG 40 on program management). The BNAE's bodies also enable public policy makers and industry to come together around an identified issue.
What is BNAE's General Recommandation (RG. Aéro) ?
The BNAE's General Recommandations, known as RG. Aero, are normative documents that can be considered guides or collections of best practices to address a clearly identified need or issue. With strong consensus at the national level, these RG. Aero are most often promoted at the European level to become EN standards. The recommendations are available from the BNAE.