CAHS Library: Standards

The WA Health Libraries Network has a single user login to Australian Standards Online, accessed via SAI GLOBAL. 
You may gain access to the site from the link below but if the licence is in use, you will not be able to download until the previous person logs out.  You can check status from the top menu item called 'Tools', then 'Current licence usage'.

Critical information to know before you start

• When you click to open / download a standard, you will be prompted to register as an individual.  Be aware that confirmation emails to complete registration may end up in your junk email folder.
• A FileOpen plugin is required to read a downloaded standard.  The FileOpen plugin should be deployed to all CAHSPCH/  PCs.  If not, you will need to log an IT service call to get it installed.  
• Once downloaded, a standard can be opened on only one computer – not one at a time, but just one computer. 
• Although you can download the Standards in pdf format, the downloaded copies are encoded with a predetermined expiry date, after which they cease to be accessible. You either need to log back in to view the standard as you need it and / or print off a copy (but remember to check your print copy is still the most current version).
• International standards that are unlocked do not remain available indefinitely. They have a predetermined expiry date after which they need to be repurchased. You can see the list of those that have been added to the standard licence by clicking on 'Tools'' from the top menu and then 'My subscribed docs'. It is important to print off any that you rely on and check back to see if the version you have printed remains the most current version.
• It is important to logout once you have found what you need so others may gain access.

Click on this link for access.  Follow the login requests. Click 'Submit' to get in.

Register as individual user to save or print document required.

It is important to logout once you have found what you need so others may gain access.

What's covered by the licence?

Australian standards are available, however the online site also references other international standards from organisations such as:

AAMI - Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation
ANSI - American National Standards Institute
ISO - International Organization for Standardization.

These online standards are 'locked' unless an additional purchase is made. The cost to unlock them is charged back to the part of WA Health that requires access.

When you click 'Request Unlock' you will need to fill in some details and then hit 'Submit Form'. The request will be sent to the CAHS Library to organise the purchase. Costs will be charged to the department making the request. Approval is required from the head of department and the relevant business manager (and the cost centre is required) so your Library can organise the payment and alert you when it is available.

Unusual features of the online access

Although you can download the Standards in PDF format, the downloaded copies are encoded with a predetermined expiry date, after which they cease to be accessible. You either need to log back in to view the standard as you need it and / or print off a copy (but remember to check your print copy is still the most current version).

International standards that are unlocked do not remain available indefinitely. They have a predetermined expiry date (up to the date of the annual subscription renewal - 24 June), after which they need to be repurchased. You can see the list of those that have been added to the standard licence by clicking on 'My International Docs' from the side menu of the site. It is important to print off any that you rely on and check back to see if the version you have printed remains the most current version.

Australian Standards and SAI Global - The Future of Standards Publishing in Australia

Dispute between Standards Australia and SAI Global - 8 June 2016

No more access to Australian Standards at the National and State Libraries of Australia - National and State Libraries Australasia - 2 June 2016

Access to Australia Standards Adopted in Delegated Legislation - Western Australian Legislative Assembly Joint Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation - June 2016

When SAI Global goes private where does that leave Australian Standards? - Architecture and Design - 29 September 2016

Australian Standards and SAI Global - The Future of Standards Publishing in Australia

Submission from the Australian Library and Information Association, National and State Libraries Australia and the Australian Libraries Copyright Commitee to the Standards Australia Distribution and Licensing Policy Framework

An innovative future for Standards Australia – 22 November 2019   News release

Standards Australia’s Distribution and Licensing Policy Framework

Australian Industry Group (AI) negotiations on pricing with TechStreet and SAI  

Why construction standards need to be free - 7 September 2019

Standards Australia partners with Techstreet to deliver greater access and choice for users of Australian Standards® - 31 May 2019

Standards Australia wins right to move beyond exclusive distribution arrangements with SAI Global - 7 February 2019

Standards at National and State Libraries Australia (NSLA) and the NSLA eResources Consortium

State Library of Victoria "SAI Global has suspended access to Standards Australia while they rectify suspected unauthorised use. We apologise for any inconvenience" (August / September 2018)
Access to Standards restored at National and State Libraries Australasia libraries - 16 October 2017  NOTE:  In 2018 this was settled and access was once again available until removed due to 'suspected unauthorised use'.

Free access to Australian standards no longer available in public libraries - Sydney Morning Herald - 7 June 2016

Standards Australia and SAI Global publishing and distribution arrangements

Standards Australia welcomes arbitration decision on changes to its content - 9 April 2018

Standards Australia launches open process seeking market terms on distribution - 17 July 2017    Request for Proposal document

SAI Global's refusal to share sees Standards Australia begin arbitration proceedings - ZDNet - 8 June 2016

​SAI Global hits back at Standards Australia's claims of unwillingness to share - ZDNet - 9 June 2016
"The additional response comes after SAI Global initially indicated it has exclusive rights to publish, distribute, market, and sell Australian standards for up to 20 years and are "not confined to any particular format or subject to Standards Australia's approval"."

Issues of cost as they impact on uptake and use of standards

Access to Australia Standards Adopted in Delegated Legislation - Western Australian Legislative Assembly Joint Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation - June 2016

When SAI Global goes private where does that leave Australian Standards? - Architecture and Design - 29 September 2016

Standards Australia distributes access to (AS) standards via SAI Global and TechStreet.  Both suppliers also sell standards from other standards setting agencies.

Digital rights management (DRM) controls on PDFs should be checked to understand what is provided in a purchase. DRMs typically require installation of software plug-ins to read PDFs.