The RISSB

The RISSB is a not for profit organisation and is a company limited by gaurantee.  The RISSB:

• owns and manages the ACOP (Standards, Codes of Practice, Rules and Guidelines);
• publishes and distributes the ACOP;
• manages the amendment and variation processes related to the ACOP; and
• undertakes related functions in advance (but not implementing) the ACOP.

RISSB Development Process

The RISSB is an accreditied Standards Development Organisation (SDO) with Standards Australia.  All standards produced by the RISSB are Australian Standards.  The standard development process is rigorous and transparent.  The same process is used in developing other RISSB products although Guidelines are not exposed to the public for comment given their non binding nature.

Typically independent authors and validators are contracted to write and validate the products. The author works with one of the RISSB's managers and a RISSB Development Group to ensure that the product is acceptable to industry.  A RISSB Standing Committee oversights this work and ensures that proper governance and process is followed; this includes exposing the product to the public and industry on at least two occasions.  Once the final draft has been produced and validated the product is passed to the Development Advisory Board (DAB) which assures itself that RISSB's accredited process has been followed in its development activities.  If the DAB endorses the product it is passed to the RISSB Board for its final approval and agreement to publish.

AUDITS

The Australian Board of Standards Development Organisations (ABSDO) audit the RISSB annually to ensure that Standards are produced in accordance the Standards Australia Accreditiation.

RISSB Boards and Committees 

The RISSB activities are supervised by a number of Boards and Committees.  This ensures RISSB stakeholders that RISSB activites are undertaken in an appropriate and transparent manner.

Australasian Railway Association Executive

Membership details and the remit of the ARA Executive can be found at;

ARA Executive Board 

The ARA Executive meets every three months.

RISSB BOARD

Membership details and the remit of the RISSB Board can be found at;

RISSB Board

The RISSB Board meets every three months.

DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD

Membership details and the remit of the Development Advisory Board (DAB) can be found at;

Development Advisory Board

The DAB meets at least twice a year usually in February and September each year.

RISSB STANDING COMMITTEES

Membership details and the remit of the RISSB Standing Committees can be found at:

Standing Committees

These committees meet every three months, usually one month before the RISSB Board and the ARA Executive meetings are held.

RISSB Development Groups

Members of RISSB Development Groups have an important role to play in the development of RISSB products.  Membership of Development Groups is open to any interested person providing that he/she has a genuine interest in the product being developed.  Development Group Members are usually subject matter experts.  Importantly they will be asked to sign off on the product when it has been completed confirming that its conten is 'correct and represents good practice'. The roles and responsabilities of development groups can be found at:

Development Group Member Responsibilities

BUDGET

RISSB's annual budget is approximately $3 million.  This figure varies slightly depending upon the resources available from those who fund the RISSB, namely Government and RISSB members.  Funding is provided on a 50/50 basis between Industry and Government.  This arrangement is underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Australian Transport Commission and the ARA.  Salaries and office expenses account for 23 percent of the $3 million.  The remainder is spent on developing Standards, Codes of Practice, Guidelines and Rules.