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Canada Tells Why It Voted No on OOXML and How ISO Must Improve

By Pamela Jones et al.

Canada has its public statement announcing its OOXML vote and why it voted Disapprove with Comments:

ISO/IEC DIS 29500 standard, Information Technology - Office Open XML file formats, Fast Track approved

Date: 2008-04-02

Following the ballot resolution meeting (BRM) held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 25-29 February 2008, the international standard ISO/IEC DIS 29500, Information technology - Office Open XML file formats has achieved the required number of votes for approval as an international standard. As indicated in its final position statement, Canada voted to "Disapprove with Comments". Canada was among 10 countries that expressed concern with the Fast Track of ISO/IEC DIS 29500.

Canada says, in effect, that OOXML didn't belong on the fast track, that the quality of the standard isn't yet what is expected of an ISO/IEC standard, and that there are too many unknowns. It suggests ISO fix its procedures so this never can happen again, because it would "bring disrepute to the whole ISO and IEC International Standards process."

Full post as published by Groklaw on April 04, 2008 (boomark / email).