The role of the TSAG, as provided by Resolution 17, is to provide guidelines for the work of Study Groups and recommend measures to foster coordination and cooperation with other standards-setting bodies. TSAG's powers were recently expanded, enabling it to make decisions on certain subjects that were previously only decided at the World Telecommunication Standardization Conferences. Recommendation A.6 .
Determination is one step prior to final approval of a Recommendation.
If there are no major objections, the Recommendation is granted final approval at the next meeting of the Study Group, or in this case, the TSAG that developed it. Final approval of the Series A Recommendation is expected to be granted during the opening plenary of the next TSAG meeting, scheduled for September 1998. The Recommendation contains procedures for formal cooperation and exchange of information between ITU-T Study Groups and SDOs that meet certain qualifying criteria. Considerable savings of cost and time to U.S. experts who would not have to repeatedly defend their draft, interim or published standard. A level playing field with other national or regional organizations, fora, consortia, etc., which have, or plan to have, agreements with ITU, for mutual acceptance of drafts for consideration as standards.