OOXML

(Links to Strategy 3: Technical Development and Innovation)

Project Sponsor: Colin Jackson

Staff Support: Campbell Gardiner

Project Status: Complete

Project Description:

This project developed and represented a New Zealand position on Microsoft's proposed OOXML document format, which was passed as an additional international document standard by ISO in March 2008.

Project Budget:

In late 2007, Council approved $20,000 for funding an InternetNZ contractor to work with StandardsNZ on OOXML issues. 

Project Conclusion - Summary Comments:

The objective of the OOXML Project was to represent to Standards New Zealand InternetNZ's view that Microsoft's Office Open XML standard should not become an ISO standard.

The outcome was positive in New Zealand, in that Standards New Zealand maintained its “No” vote on the adoption of OOXML. 

The outcome in the world was not so favourable, because enough countries voted “Yes” that ISO will adopt OOXML as a new standard.

Note: As of April 2008, there were allegations of irregularities in several countries and a pending EU investigation. A lot more detail can be found on groklaw.net and noooxml.org. Whether these allegations will delay, or even prevent, the adoption of OOXML by ISO remains to be seen.

Project History:

March 2008:

• Participated in 2-3 further meetings at StandardsNZ as part of their decision-making process.

• Further consultations with stakeholders.
• Project conclusion following ISO approval of OOXML in late March.
  

February 2008:

• Read the OOXML spec (6,000 pages) and the ECMA dispositions to national body comments (2,300 pages).
• Consulted stakeholders including government, NZOSS, etc.
• Participated in Standards New Zealand processes including online discussions and physical meetings, all with the aim of generating a list of New Zealand concerns and desired outcomes for the BRM.

January 2008:

• ECMA published 2000 pages of "dispositions" (revisions) in response to their comments on the draft standard.
• Ballot resolution meeting delegation chosen - Colin Jackson representing non-MS interests.
• Colin Jackson now an observer on the government OOXML processes.

December 2007:

• Two meetings of SNZ OOXML advisory group.
• OOXML mailing list created, and mailing list activity.
• Some NZ comments on OOXML draft addressed by the ECMA.

October - November 2007:

• Industry advisory group formed to advise StandardsNZ about the proposed DIS29500 standard (aka OOXML or OfficeOpenXML).