Download BSI Flex 236 v2.0:2023 here
What is BSI Flex 236 about?
BSI Flex is a new model of standards development that uses an agile, iterative approach and open consultation to develop consensus-based good practice in areas that change and develop quickly.
BSI Flex 236 v2.0 is the second version of guidance on how to use data in standards and standards development to produce inclusive standards. It is simultaneously available for download and open for public comment and user feedback.
Who is BSI Flex 236 for?
- All standards makers and organizations that develop standards, including professional bodies
- Government departments and agencies developing policy and regulation.
What does BSI Flex 236 cover?
This BSI Flex is a tool for enabling the development of inclusive standards across all sectors and gives guidance on how data can be used in the development of all types of standards.
This includes data used to decide which standards to develop, what they should and should not include, and to inform development decision-making; and where a standard specifies use of data or data collection.
BSI Flex 236 v2.0 covers:
- The ways data are selected, assessed and used in standards development, including different data types and processing.
- How to deal with gaps in and/or limitations of existing data when developing inclusive standards.
- Analysis of types of human bias.
- How cognitive biases can change the way data are interpreted and incorporated into decision-making processes.
- How data can introduce bias or exclusion into the standards development process.
- The impacts of data bias or exclusion and the communities affected – this can include impacts related to protected characteristics, as well as non-protected characteristics.
Note: BSI Flex 236 does not cover specific aspects of product or service design; or data privacy or security.
This BSI Flex is for standards makers and organizations that develop standards, which might include small and medium-sized enterprises, and organizations that do not have National Standards Body status. It could also be used by government and other organizations for the development of policies, procedures and regulations
Why should you use BSI Flex 236?
- It builds the capability of standards makers to work with data with inclusion in mind.
- It helps grow an understanding of the limitations of data.
- It helps minimize harm and to produce more robust outputs that will serve a diverse population without bias.
- It helps standards makers develop their confidence and expertise.
- It strengthens the risk management of the organizations that develop standards.
BSI Flex 236 contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality and Goal 10 on reduced inequalities
What’s new with BSI Flex 236 v2.0:2023?
BSI Flex 236 v2.0:2023 has undergone a full update from its previous version. It introduces the following principal changes:
- inclusion of Figure 1 on data use in the standards development process;
- inclusion of 4.4.5 on marginalized, excluded or vulnerable groups; and
- expansion of 4.6 on mitigating unwanted implications of data use in standards development.”.