An approach for identifying gaps and overlaps in standards to determine product applicability

Abstract

Standards and regulations have become an important part of today's society. Organizational and geographical dispersions often create situations where manufacturers are forced to meet various standards for a product to reach expanded markets or improve branding. In this paper we propose an approach that provides stakeholders with the means to harmonize a set of standards by identifying similarities and differences between their coverage. Using an analysis approach based on the Zachman framework, we are able to identify both overlaps and gaps that may transpire when analyzing multiple standards associated with a single product domain. To demonstrate our approach, we apply it to a subset of electronics-related sustainability standards. The results are sets of terms that can be used to define the gaps and overlaps between three standards: RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive), WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronics Equipment Directive), and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) P1680. We then discuss some of the challenges encountered when analyzing these standards. Finally, we briefly discuss the potential for an expanded approach that could assist in the development of domain models and ultimately help identify necessary actions in business processes that will lead to additional standard compliance. © 2011 by ASME.