2020 Annual Review ABOUT US ’s peak independent, non-government, not-for-profit standards organisation and developer of Australian Standards® Contents

Chairman’s report 4

MISSION CEO’s report 6 Empowering communities Standards development performance 8 Standard solutions 10

A year of significant challenge 12 Cladding receives guidance 11 VISION Renewing energy options 14 A global leader in trusted Standards in the digital age 14 solutions that improve life – An international organisation 16 today and tomorrow Business transformation 18

Our people 20

Standards Awards 21

Financial overview 22

Directors’ report 24 Smarter, safer, sustainable cities 15 Auditor’s independence declaration 30

Directors’ declaration 31

Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income 32

Statement of financial position 33

Statement of changes in equity 34

Statement of cash flows 35

Notes to the financial statements 36

Independent auditor’s report 44 Broadening access to our content 19 Member organisations 46 Chairman’s report Standards Australia Limited – 2020 Annual Review 5

he last 12 months have been some of commitment that we are able to As I write these remarks, the most challenging in Australia’s develop and adopt world-class T history, with the bushfires that plagued standards for Australia. it occurs to me that in my many parts of our country and the most significant This is my last report as Chair health and economic shock of our lifetime. I know lifetime, Australia has not of the Board as my term ends in that many of you are actively involved in helping November 2020. I will remain on the Board until next faced anything near what Australia rise to these challenges, and will November 2021. I want to take this somewhat early continue to play an integral role in the next phase it has faced over the last opportunity to thank our members, the directors I of the national response. 12 months. have served with, our stakeholders, and staff for the If there is any positive effect coming out of this support they have shown me through my tenure. time, it must be on our national resilience. The In my opinion, the last five years have seen the most question of resilience was one that the Standards significant changes and innovations in Standards Australia Board spent a day working through in Australia’s recent history. February as we met for our strategy discussions with the executive team. This was a momentous The recovery of the right to distribute standards discussion for us as we came to the end of our by the termination of the publishing and licence 5-year strategic plan. agreement required an enormous commitment by the executive team in conjunction with our legal advisors In 2017, the Board presented a broad and and counsel. Without the successful finalisation ambitious plan to improve the contributor of the previous arrangements, the implementation experience, lay the foundations needed for a of our new distribution arrangements and digital digital Standards Australia, and embark on the strategy would not be possible. task of resetting our distribution arrangements and ensuring that our standards development As part of our vision to be a leader within the process remained fit for purpose. We were mostly ‘Standards World’ we saw many other achievements successful in the execution of this plan. As we such as the ongoing improvement in our move into our next strategic horizon, we need communications, standards development processes, to be even more focused on delivering for the staff and technical committee training, young leaders Australian community. program, and the governance reviews.

I would like to thank the Directors for their work It is remarkable what we have achieved over the last 11 this year through very challenging times. While years, and I look forward to cheering from the sidelines the short, mid and long-term financial impact of once my term on the Board ends, and watching the pandemic is yet to be known, I am thankful Standards Australia go from strength to strength. to the Finance Risk and Audit committee for managing the company’s risk. Standards development will forever be the lifeblood of the company. The work of the Standards Development and Accreditation committee again this year has us in good stead as we continue to Richard Brooks – Chairman focus on building capability in this area.

My biggest thanks in closing, goes to our staff and contributors. It is because of their continuing CEO’s report Standards Australia Limited – 2020 Annual Review 7

As Australia addresses challenges, it is the role of Standards Technical standardisation, Australia to maximise the value we can add and deliver trusted solutions where required. Our vision is simply a clear statement often unnoticed by the of this intent. To be a world leader in what we do and how we general public and policy do it – for the benefit of Australia. makers, has been a critical enabler of trade, economic development, and social development for decades.

s the National Standards Body and underpin Australia’s national sovereignty and long- When we talk about customers, we mean what we hope will be one of the best customer developer of Australian standards, term prosperity. These include, among other things, equally the committee members and experiences for standards that we hope will go A we have been dedicated to supply chain stability, security, local manufacturing, stakeholders that we work with and empower live early next year. delivering the best results we can, both and the maintenance of open rules-based through the adoption and development of We are settling in our first new distributors domestically and internationally. international order. standards where they are needed and those and working with others on new opportunities. who use and purchase them down the line. Our goal, simply put, is to help Australian As Australia addresses these challenges, it is the We are implementing new systems to ensure industry, government and the community role of Standards Australia to maximise the value For an organisation of our size, this is a our compliance with competition law on the broadly, to develop or adopt trusted solutions we can add and deliver trusted solutions where significant endeavour. These are substantial distribution of standards and we are upskilling in that empower and enable them to deliver on required. transformative changes. We are committed not almost, but every sector of our business. our economic and social advancement. to success, not only for us but also for Our vision is simply a clear statement of this intent. I want to acknowledge all of the hard work the those we work with and the broader Our role and goal have taken on a renewed To be a world leader in what we do and how we do that has gone into standards development Australian community. importance in the context of the rapidly it – for the benefit of Australia. over the last 12 months from so many of our changing geopolitical and economic Our new strategic plan has value and service contributors, members, and governments. It’s Our new strategic plan builds on our success environment – change that will likely at the core of our four strategic objectives, been a challenging time for us all. Our almost to-date. It is an extension of what we have been accelerate in the post-COVID-19 environment. Reputation, Reach, Relevance, and Revenue. instant move to remote working was something working towards over the past five years. If a vision is going to become a reality, then it I never thought I’d see in my lifetime. One of the New global dynamics and challenges are We have been improving and innovating on needs an action plan sitting behind it. few benefits of this period is that we are now emerging, impacting political stability, standards development and engagement and looking at how we can make remote working for global sustainability and cooperation, You will see that we are very focused on core other aspects of our business, like our distribution our stakeholders and us the new normal. and competition for the ownership and engagement and standards development arrangements. commercialisation of emerging technology work. This includes implementing the next and critical resources. We are now building new functions from scratch set of outcomes of the Technical Governance in our business around distribution, product Review. We are also focused on upskilling our These global changes and challenges Adrian O’Connell, Chief Executive development, and retail operations. contributors and ourselves through our learning are awakening awareness among senior and development programs. policymakers and public commentators In working with the Board and Executive Team, I am on the strategic role standards play in excited that as we head into this next strategic plan On the technology front, we will continue our international technology development and we do so from a strong base and with an absolute work building better systems and support for deployment and other key matters that focus on meeting the needs of our customers. our stakeholders and staff. We are building Standards development performance Standards Australia Limited – 2020 Annual Review 9

Stakeholders Active projects: 432 Projects by sector

Participating Members 5,816 22% Electrotechnology and Energy Nominating Organisations 2,937 16% Building and Construction Active Technical Committees 371 16% Manufacturing and Processing Active Subcommittees 421 10% Public ; Public Admin; Business & Mgmt Active Working Groups 368 9% Mining 6% Consumer Products and Services, Safety 5% Communications; Info Tech and e-Commerce 5% Water and Waste Services 4% Transport and Logistics Production FY 2020 Projects by age 3% Health and Community Services 372 0 – 2 years 375 3% Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Food Australian Standards® 287 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 2 – 4 years 53 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 4+ years 4 1% Education and Training Services (40% joint AS/NZS) IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Amendments 57 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Handbooks 3 II Notable publications Supplements 1 Technical Specifications 12 IIIIIIIIIII ISO/IEC 27102:2019 Information security management – Guidelines for cyber-insurance Technical Reports 11 IIIIIIIIII AS 4253:2019 Mailboxes Rulings 1 AS 2080:2019 Safety glazing for land vehicles

SA TS 5344:2019 Permanent labelling for Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP) products

AS/NZS 5139:2019 Electrical installations – Safety of battery systems for use with power conversion equipment

Total catalogue SA/SNZ HB 331:2020 Overhead line design handbook

AS/NZS 3000:2018 Amd 1:2020 Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Australian Standards 5,162 Wiring Rules) Amendments 1,046 AS/NZS 1158.2:2020 Lighting for roads and public spaces, Part 2: Computer procedures for the calculation of light technical parameters for Supplements 156 Category V and Category P lighting

Rulings 18 AS/NZS 2063:2020 Helmets for use on bicycles and wheeled recreational devices

Handbooks 165 AS ISO 16111:2020 Transportable gas storage devices – Hydrogen absorbed in Miscellaneous Products/Publications 30 reversible metal hydride Technical Specifications/Reports 173 6,750 AS/NZS 2500:2020 Safe use of medical electrical equipment in health care AS ISO 37122:2020 Sustainable cities and communities – Indicators for smart cities 10 Standards Australia Limited – 2020 Annual Review 11

Cladding receives guidance Connecting Australian communities Devastating fires in Australian high-rise buildings Australia is no stranger to extreme weather have again highlighted the fire safety risks arising conditions and with a huge number of towns from the non-compliant use of external cladding, and cities hundreds of kilometres apart, strong particularly Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP) with a powerlines are integral in keeping communities 100% polyethylene (PE) core. connected.

The technical specification SA TS 5344:2019, SA/SNZ HB 331:2020, Overhead line design, Permanent labelling for Aluminium Composite Panel guides the design, construction and maintenance of (ACP) products, provides minimum requirements for overhead powerlines. This handbook aims to ensure the marking of ACPs to enable their identification that powerlines are suitably resistant to the exposure throughout the life of the product. of extreme climate conditions and designed in a safe and consistent manner. The publication saw stakeholders coming together to address community concerns quickly and efficiently. With the significant impact of bushfires in our Completed in just 3 months and immediately country, the handbook includes construction of accepted for referencing in Australia’s National powerlines in bushfire prone areas as well as safety Construction Code (NCC), this guidance redefined clear zones, vegetation management and high the standards development process, challenging the voltage live working considerations. perception that producing quality content is lengthy and difficult.

Road to safety Many Australians are using their cars every single day Standard solutions Stamping out mail theft both on bumpy regional roads and weaving through Conversations around privacy are focused heavily on small city streets. The glazing of windscreens is an cyber and data protection, however 29 percent of important aspect to the safety of vehicles making Australians still aren’t locking their letter boxes. AS 2080:2019, Safety glazing for land vehicles, a key The role of standards, often unnoticed, underpins addition to the sector. Credit cards, payslips and personal identification are Australian life, keeping us safe, building economic among the many documents taken from mailboxes This standard specifies methods of testing for value, and connecting Australia to the world. across Australia. AS 4253:2019, Mailboxes, aims windscreens and other glazing for power-driven to help combat mail theft and identity fraud by land vehicles. It aims to promote awareness across improving the security of individual mailboxes and the industry of the agreed requirements around banks of mailboxes. Protecting our water systems windscreens, which in turn assists in building the Debates around what is appropriate to flush were confidence of road users. This standard was welcomed by industry in a only heightened by COVID-19 and the toilet paper time where communities are seeing more and shortages that came with it. Consumers and industry From manufacturers to the general public, this more apartment buildings, which are often leaving were left seeking clarity in what can be flushed down standard is an important addition in increasing mailbox banks on the street sidewalk in full view the toilet. certainty around the safe design of windscreens. of passers-by. AS 4253:2019 outlines guidance DR AS/NZS 5328, Flushable products, is currently around secure entry to banks of mailboxes, in development and will aim to outline methods to including where they should be placed and how determine which products are suitable to be flushed they can be accessed. down a domestic toilet and establish appropriate consumer disposal labelling requirements. 12 Standards Australia Limited – 2020 Annual Review 13

Moving PPE to the frontlines Remote standards development COVID-19 has brought challenges to many COVID-19 saw all Standards Australia staff organisations. Sadly, the virus has impacted and contributors move to online meetings for almost all Australian communities, businesses, and standards development. families. However, like the bushfires, COVID-19 has This move has seen much success and is a seen unprecedented support and action from the testament to our adaptable community. Australian people. Simon Croft, of committee FP-20, reflected on As the virus began to spread, the country was a recent remote meeting: “It kept a concise Assisting with bushfire recovery grappling with shortages in masks, surgical gowns, agenda, was ran and chaired well, and A year of significant The impact of the summer bushfires has been both and hand sanitiser. Supply chains moved quickly to everyone got a chance to have a say.” challenge devastating and ongoing, with approximately 17 respond to the increased demand for products with million hectares burnt across the country. These Standards Australia staff working with numerous events have seen communities, governments, The end of last year and beginning of 2020 stakeholders as part of the national response. businesses and the third sector work together to saw Australia in the grips of a bushfire Multiple sets of guidance material were prepared and “The work from home rebuild and better prepare communities for similar crisis, with the already challenging recovery released to assist in the national effort. transition fast tracked future events. process compounded by the emergence of This material, prepared in consultation with the several IT initiatives like the COVID-19. These two events have shaped Standards Australia committed to assisting in making Australian Technical Infrastructure Alliance (ATIA), rollout of Microsoft Teams, much of 2020. While devastating, Australians the rebuild process easier and safer, resulting in helped to move gloves, masks, surgical gowns, and OneDrive, Office 365 MFA have come together in a show of compassion the Commonwealth Government and Standards other personal protective equipment (PPE) from the and strength. The international standards Australia jointly funding access for all Australians to warehouse to the frontline using Australian facilities. and improved security development community rallied to show their AS 3959:2018, Construction of buildings in bushfire- Views of the material on our website indicate it has tools.” support with addressing these challenges. prone areas. been an important resource. — Prem Bhawnani, Head of IT The ability to open up access to this standard flowed In addition to this material, Standards Australia from the release of our Distribution and Licensing expedited key and continuity Framework, which launched at the end of 2019. The standards as well as engaged with the committee framework is key to the work we are doing in providing SF-010, Occupational Respiratory Protection, to more options in accessing Australian Standards to identify potential international standards for adoption. support communities across the country.

Standards Australia and the Commonwealth, through the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, will be jointly funding the access to AS 3959:2018 until 30 June 2021. 14 Standards Australia Limited – 2020 Annual Review 15

Renewing energy Ready H2 go! Positive battery storage Smarter, safer, sustainable cities In little more than 12 months, Standards Australia’s A gap in safety guidance for the battery More than just buzz words, smart cities encompass options hydrogen committee published eight standards to storage sector was filled with the publication a huge technological transformation across support hydrogen use and transportation in Australia. of AS/NZS 5139:2019, Electrical installations regional townships, major cities, and international These standards can be used to support the safety – Safety of battery systems for use with power borders. The goal of smart cities is to help promote Many governments and communities worldwide of users with guidance on the storage, transport and conversion equipment. an efficient and sustainable planet through the are working towards a more renewable and refuelling of hydrogen. interconnected nature of technology and human life. Battery systems offer a level of stability to the sustainable future, with energy a significant This work will help change the way we power grid as th