At the 02/03/25 JC meeting, it was requested that all mentions of diversity and inclusion be removed from the standard. This was requested due to the recent executive order to remove all DEI programs from federal agencies. It was clarified that only federal agencies must remove DEI programs. This executive order does not make it illegal for nonfederal agencies to have DEI programs. Some industry members were concerned that even having a diversity and inclusion policy would affect their government contracts. This was a valid concern, but an attendee reminded the group that this was a point-based standard and a company does not need to have a diversity and inclusion policy to pass this standard. A company will just not get that one point for not having it. Another attendee also mentioned that this standard will be used by companies outside of the US where it is still in fashion to have diversity and inclusion policies. It was also questioned if the CB would publish the entire report so that anyone could see if a company received a point for having a diversity and inclusion policy. It was confirmed that the CB could not publish the full report and that only the company had the right to decide who could see the full report. In the end, it was pointed out that the call had 15 industry, 1 public health, and 1 user in attendance. The Chair determined that it was not a good balance of interest to make the determination to keep or remove diversity and inclusion. This ballot allows all the members to vote to keep or remove it. I have attached the ballot showing the removal of all diversity and inclusion. This version contains other changes made during the JC meeting. Please remember that all changes will be presented in an official ballot later so please keep your comments to keeping or removing diversity and inclusion. |
