As it is expected for standards to be as such, the specification was not the result of a consensus achieving process of the knowledge and experiences of producers, consumers, and regulators. It is based on the single idea of one entity which is Microsoft.

The standard should be redrafted as a public hearing model.

Throughout

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Proposed Disposition of DIS 29500 Comment IR-0056 (Modified: 2008-01-08) The development of this standard was within the scope of and subject to the rules of Ecma International. Membership on this committee included producers, vendors, consumers, users and regulators. During the development of ECMA-376, interim versions of the specification were publicly posted on the Ecma web site as early as May 2006, and SC34 (which has liaison status with Ecma) was invited to access and review these drafts. The standardization of OpenXML in Ecma was performed by a very motivated team of experts in TC 45, which included representatives from Apple, Barclays Capital, BP, The British Library, Essilor, Intel, Microsoft, NextPage, Novell, Statoil, Toshiba and the Unites States Library of Congress. The JTC 1 Directives model focuses on active work by P-Members, and its work is not subject to general public review other than as provided by its members (O and P Members) through their National Body processes. The fact that there were so many comments received from so many National Bodies is in itself testimony to widespread review.