BSI has released updated guidance document on data in developing inclusive standards

What’s happened and why?

Using the BSI Flex Standard model, BSI has produced a second version of a standard that aims to help standards makers address bias in data used in standards development and to develop inclusive standards.

BSI Flex 236 v.2.0:2023 gives guidance on how data are to be used in the development of all types of standards, including data used to create standards, data used to decide which standards to develop, what to include and exclude from standards, and to inform development decision making.

It has undergone a full update, with version 2 introducing 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.

BSI Flex 236 v.2.0:2023 is simultaneously available for download and open for public comment and user feedback.

What does BSI Flex 236 cover?

BSI Flex 236 is a tool for enabling the development of inclusive standards across all sectors.

It gives guidance on how data can be used in the development of all types of standard - whether it is the data used to decide which standards to develop, what they should and shouldn’t include, and to inform development decision-making; or how a standard specifies the use of data or data collection.

This BSI Flex 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.

It does not cover specific aspects of product or service design; or data privacy or security.

Why use BSI Flex 236?

It can help standards makers to:

• Build the ability to work with data with inclusion in mind.
• Develop their understanding of the limitations of data.
• Produce more robust standards that will serve a diverse population without bias.
• Develop their confidence and expertise.

BSI Flex 236 can also strengthen the risk management of organizations that develop standards.

About BSI Flex 236 v2.0

BSI Flex documents are a new type of standard, created where there is a need to rapidly iterate and update content as best practice emerges. BSI Flex Standards are developed using repeated cycles of iteration.

Commenting for version 2.0 of BSI Flex 236 is now open. Comments received will be used to inform any future development of BSI Flex 236.

Download BSI Flex 236 v.2.0:2023