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`Third Generation
`Partnership Project
`
`
`3GPP
`
`
`Working Procedures
`
`
`20 October 2016
`
`

`

`2
`Third Generation Partnership Project Working Procedures, 31 December 2014
`
`Foreword
`These Working Procedures of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) are effective from 31 December 2014.
`
`An electronic version of these Partnership Project Working Procedures is available from the following address:
`
`http://www.3gpp.org
`
`

`

`3
`Third Generation Partnership Project Working Procedures, 31 December 2014
`
`Contents
`
`Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................ 2 
`SECTION A: 
`GENERAL ........................................................................................................................... 7 
`Article 1:  Description ..................................................................................................................................... 7 
`Article 2: 
`Purpose ........................................................................................................................................... 7 
`Article 3: 
`Scope and objectives ...................................................................................................................... 7 
`SECTION B:  PARTICIPATION .................................................................................................................... 8 
`Article 4:  Categories ...................................................................................................................................... 8 
`Article 5: 
`Partnership ..................................................................................................................................... 8 
`Article 6:  Organizational Partnership ............................................................................................................. 8 
`Article 7:  Market Representation Partnership ................................................................................................ 9 
`Article 8: 
`Individual Membership .................................................................................................................. 9 
`Article 9:  Termination of Individual Membership ....................................................................................... 10 
`Article 10: 
`Observers and Guests .............................................................................................................. 10 
`SECTION C:  STRUCTURE ......................................................................................................................... 10 
`Article 11: 
`Structure of 3GPP ................................................................................................................... 10 
`SECTION D: 
`PARTNERS’ COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES ........................................................ 10 
`Article 12: 
`Organizational Partners’ Collective Responsibilities ............................................................. 10 
`Article 13: 
`Collective responsibilities of all Partners ............................................................................... 11 
`SECTION E:  PROJECT CO-ORDINATION GROUP (PCG) ..................................................................... 11 
`Article 14: 
`PCG tasks ................................................................................................................................ 11 
`PCG participation ................................................................................................................... 12 
`Article 15: 
`PCG appointment of Chairman and Vice Chairman ............................................................... 12 
`Article 16: 
`Article 17: 
`PCG Chairman and Vice Chairman Responsibilities ............................................................. 12 
`Article 18: 
`PCG meetings ......................................................................................................................... 13 
`Article 19: 
`PCG decision making ............................................................................................................. 13 
`SECTION F:  TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION GROUPS ........................................................................... 13 
`Article 20: 
`TSG tasks ................................................................................................................................ 13 
`Article 21: 
`TSG participation .................................................................................................................... 14 
`Article 22: 
`TSG and WG election of Chairman and Vice Chairman ........................................................ 14 
`22.1 
`TSG elections .................................................................................................................................................. 14 
`22.2 
`WG elections ................................................................................................................................................... 16 
`
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`Third Generation Partnership Project Working Procedures, 31 December 2014
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`TSG and WG Chairman and Vice Chairman responsibilities ................................................. 16 
`Article 23: 
`TSG and WG Chairman and Vice Chairmen dismissal .......................................................... 17 
`Article 24: 
`TSG and WG decision making ............................................................................................... 17 
`Article 25: 
`TSG and WG voting during a meeting ................................................................................... 17 
`Article 26: 
`TSG or WG voting by correspondence ................................................................................... 18 
`Article 27: 
`TSG or WG voting for the election of TSG or WG Chairman and Vice Chairman ............... 18 
`Article 28: 
`TSG or WG appeal process .................................................................................................... 18 
`Article 29: 
`TSG and WG meetings ........................................................................................................... 19 
`Article 30: 
`TSG and WG meeting invitation ............................................................................................ 19 
`Article 31: 
`TSG and WG meeting agenda ................................................................................................ 19 
`Article 32: 
`TSG and WG meeting registration ......................................................................................... 19 
`Article 33: 
`TSG and WG meeting document and file naming .................................................................. 19 
`Article 34: 
`TSG and WG Voting Membership List .................................................................................. 20 
`Article 35: 
`35.1 
`Voting list ........................................................................................................................................................ 20 
`35.2 
`On creation of new TSG or WG ...................................................................................................................... 20 
`35.3 
`Established TSGs and WGs ............................................................................................................................. 21 
`35.4 
`Removal from and reinstatement to voting list ................................................................................................ 21 
`35.5 
`Meetings other than ordinary meetings ........................................................................................................... 21 
`
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`5
`Third Generation Partnership Project Working Procedures, 31 December 2014
`
`TSG Sub Working Groups ...................................................................................................... 21 
`Article 36: 
`WORK PROGRAMME AND TECHNICAL CO-ORDINATION .................................. 22 
`SECTION G: 
`Work Programme .................................................................................................................... 22 
`Article 37: 
`Work Items ............................................................................................................................. 22 
`Article 38: 
`Work Item creation ................................................................................................................. 22 
`Article 39: 
`Work Item adoption by PCG .................................................................................................. 22 
`Article 40: 
`Work Item stopping ................................................................................................................ 23 
`Article 41: 
`Technical co-ordination .......................................................................................................... 23 
`Article 42: 
`DELIVERABLES.............................................................................................................. 23 
`SECTION H: 
`Deliverable types .................................................................................................................... 23 
`Article 43: 
`Approval process .................................................................................................................... 23 
`Article 44: 
`Drafting rules .......................................................................................................................... 24 
`Article 45: 
`Copyright and ownership ........................................................................................................ 24 
`Article 46: 
`Conversion by Organizational Partners .................................................................................. 24 
`Article 47: 
`SECTION I:  REPORTING .......................................................................................................................... 24 
`Article 48: 
`Chairman’s reporting obligations ........................................................................................... 24 
`Article 49: 
`Changes to structure and officials ........................................................................................... 24 
`Article 50: 
`Calendar of meetings .............................................................................................................. 24 
`SECTION J:  EXTERNAL RELATIONS .................................................................................................... 25 
`Article 51: 
`Relationship with the ITU ....................................................................................................... 25 
`Article 52: 
`Relations with other groups .................................................................................................... 25 
`MISCELLANEOUS .......................................................................................................... 26 
`SECTION K: 
`Article 53: 
`Resources ................................................................................................................................ 26 
`Article 54: 
`Support Team .......................................................................................................................... 26 
`Article 55: 
`Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy ............................................................................... 26 
`Article 56: 
`Working language ................................................................................................................... 26 
`Article 57: 
`Duration .................................................................................................................................. 27 
`Article 58: 
`Review of activities ................................................................................................................ 27 
`Article 59: 
`Dissolution, winding up .......................................................................................................... 27 
`Article 59A:  Exhaustion of appeal procedures ............................................................................................ 27 
`Article 60: 
`Amendments to 3GPP Working Procedures ........................................................................... 27 
`Annex A:  Definitions ................................................................................................................................... 28 
`Annex B:  Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................... 30 
`Annex C: 
`Individual member application form ............................................................................................ 31 
`Annex D: 
`(Void) ........................................................................................................................................... 33 
`Annex E:  Guidance for MRP applicants ...................................................................................................... 34 
`E.1 
`Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 34 
`E.2 
`Guidance .......................................................................................................................................................... 34 
`
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`Third Generation Partnership Project Working Procedures, 31 December 2014
`
`Annex F:  Guidance on meeting organization .............................................................................................. 35 
`F.1 
`Meeting classification ...................................................................................................................................... 35 
`F.2 
`Ordinary meetings ........................................................................................................................................... 35 
`F.3 
`Ad hoc meetings .............................................................................................................................................. 35 
`F.4 
`Attendance register .......................................................................................................................................... 36 
`F.4.1 
`Face to face meetings ................................................................................................................................. 36 
`F.4.2 
`Electronic meetings .................................................................................................................................... 36 
`Annex G:  Working agreements .................................................................................................................... 37 
`Annex H:  Calculation of quorum in TSGs and WGs ................................................................................... 38 
`Annex I: 
`Change history ............................................................................................................................. 39 
`
`
`
`
`

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`7
`Third Generation Partnership Project Working Procedures, 31 December 2014
`
`SECTION A: GENERAL
`
`Description
`Article 1:
`The Partnership Project is not a legal entity but is a collaborative activity between the following recognized Standards
`Development Organizations:
`
`ARIB
`
`(Japan)
`
`CCSA
`
`(China)
`
`ETSI
`
`(Europe)
`
`ATIS
`
`(US)
`
`TTA
`
`TTC
`
`(Korea)
`
`(Japan)
`
`TSDSI (India)
`
`The Partnership Project is entitled the “THIRD GENERATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECT” and may be known by the
`acronym “3GPP”.
`
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`
`Purpose
`Article 2:
`The purpose of 3GPP is to prepare, approve and maintain globally applicable Technical Specifications and Technical
`Reports for
`
`- a 3rd Generation Mobile System based on the evolved GSM core network, and the Universal Terrestrial Radio
`Access (UTRA),
`
`-
`
`-
`
`further development of radio technologies such as LTE, coupled with evolution of core network elements such
`as the Evolved Packet Core (EPC),
`
`continuing evolution of the 2nd generation GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN),
`
`to be transposed by the Organizational Partners into appropriate deliverables (e.g., standards).
`
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`
`Scope and objectives
`Article 3:
`The 3rd Generation Mobile System and its capabilities shall be developed in a phased approach. Initially, 3GPP shall
`prepare, approve and maintain the necessary set of Technical Specifications and Technical Reports for a 3rd Generation
`Mobile System including:
`
` UTRAN (including UTRA; in Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD) modes);
`
` 3GPP Core Network (Third Generation networking capabilities evolved from GSM. These capabilities include
`mobility management, global roaming, and utilisation of relevant Internet Protocols);
`
` Terminals for access to the above (including specifications for a UIM); and
`
` System and service aspects.
`
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`8
`Third Generation Partnership Project Working Procedures, 31 December 2014
`
`3GPP shall prepare, approve and maintain the necessary set of Technical Specifications and Technical Reports for:
`
`- the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) including GSM evolved radio access technologies (e.g., General
`Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE)).
`
`3GPP shall consider the long term evolution.
`
`The Technical Specifications and Technical Reports shall be developed in view of global roaming and circulation of
`terminals.
`
`The set of 3GPP Technical Specifications and Technical Reports for the 3GPP core network and the specifications for
`the GSM core network should be common to the greatest extent possible and should not be unnecessarily different.
`
`Options in the form of a regulatory requirement particular to one or more regions / nations shall be included in 3GPP
`specifications. TSGs should not debate the inclusion or rejection of such options.
`
`The results of the 3GPP work shall form the basis of member contributions to the ITU in accordance with existing
`procedures.
`
`3GPP shall take account of emerging ITU recommendations on interworking between IMT-2000 family members.
`
`In the framework of agreed relationships, the 3GPP Technical Specifications and Technical Reports will form the basis
`of standards, or parts of standards, of the Organizational Partners.
`
`SECTION B: PARTICIPATION
`
`Categories
`Article 4:
`Participation in 3GPP shall be classified into one of the following categories:
`
` Partners;
`
`
`
`
`
`Individual Members;
`
`ITU Representatives;
`
` Observers;
`
` Guests.
`
`Partnership
`Article 5:
`Partners in 3GPP shall be classified into one of the following two categories:
`
` Organizational Partners;
`
` Market Representation Partners.
`
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`
`Organizational Partnership
`Article 6:
`Organizational Partnership is open to any Standards Organization, irrespective of its geographical location, which has:
`
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`

`9
`Third Generation Partnership Project Working Procedures, 31 December 2014
`
` a national, regional or other officially recognized status and the capability and authority to define, publish and set
`standards within the 3GPP scope, in that nation or region;
`
` an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy which is compatible with those of the Organizational Partners;
`
` committed itself to all or part of the 3GPP scope;
`
` signed the Partnership Project Agreement.
`
`Standards Organizations may apply to become an Organizational Partner by writing to any of the existing
`Organizational Partners.
`
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`
`Market Representation Partnership
`Article 7:
`The Organizational Partners may invite Market Representation Partners to take part in 3GPP.
`
`An invitation for Market Representation Partnership is open to any organization, irrespective of its geographical
`location, which:
`
` has the ability to offer market advice to 3GPP and to bring into 3GPP a consensus view of market requirements
`(e.g., services, features and functionality) falling within the 3GPP scope;
`
` does not have the capability and authority to define, publish and set standards within the 3GPP scope, nationally or
`regionally;
`
` has committed itself to all or part of the 3GPP scope;
`
` has signed the Partnership Project Agreement.
`
`Organizations may apply to become Market Representation Partners by writing to any of the existing Partners. Further
`guidance for MRP applicants can be found in annex E.
`
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`
`Individual Membership
`Article 8:
`Membership in an Organizational Partner is a pre-requisite for Individual Membership of 3GPP. All entities registered
`as members of an Organizational Partner and eligible for participation in the technical work of that Organizational
`Partner, can become Individual Members of 3GPP if they are committed to support 3GPP and:
`
`
`
`
`
`to contribute technically or otherwise to one or more of the Technical Specification Groups within the 3GPP scope;
`
`to use the 3GPP results to the extent feasible.
`
`An Individual Member has the right to participate in the work of 3GPP by attending meetings of the Technical
`Specification Groups and subtending groups.
`
`Applications for Individual Membership of a Technical Specification Group shall be made in writing to the relevant
`Organizational Partner using the form given at annex C. Applications may also be made on-line using the template
`available at http://www.3gpp.org.
`
`Individual Members act in 3GPP in their own right and carry the full responsibility for their contributions.
`
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`10
`Third Generation Partnership Project Working Procedures, 31 December 2014
`
`Termination of Individual Membership
`Article 9:
`Individual Membership of 3GPP may be terminated by dissolution, abolition, resignation or expulsion from the related
`Organizational Partner.
`
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`
`Observers and Guests
`Article 10:
`The status of Observer may be granted by the Organizational Partners to an entity which has the qualifications to
`become a future Partner.
`
`An Observer may send a single representative to an Organizational Partners or PCG meeting. An Observer may also
`have representatives at TSG meetings. Representatives of Observers may receive documents and contribute documents
`for information, but shall not submit documents that propose changes to the specifications, reports, work item
`descriptions, work plan, or any other document under the control of the TSG. Observers shall not take part in decision
`making or hold any leadership positions.
`
`Additional participation rights of an Observer shall be decided by the Organizational Partners on a case-by-case basis.
`
`The status of Guest may be granted for a limited period, by the Organizational Partners to an entity which has the
`qualifications to become a future Individual Member. The limited period shall be decided by the Organizational
`Partners on a case-by-case basis.
`
`A Guest may have representatives at TSG and subtending group meetings. Representatives may receive documents but
`shall not take part in decision making, participate in discussions, contribute documents, or hold any leadership
`positions.
`
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`
`SECTION C: STRUCTURE
`
`Structure of 3GPP
`Article 11:
`3GPP shall consist of a Project Co-ordination Group (PCG) and Technical Specification Groups (TSGs). The Technical
`Specification Groups may establish Working Groups if required.
`
`The Organizational Partners may decide to call a meeting of the full 3GPP membership if required.
`
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`
`SECTION D: PARTNERS’ COLLECTIVE
`RESPONSIBILITIES
`
`Article 12: Organizational Partners’ Collective
`Responsibilities
`The Organizational Partners shall determine the general policy and strategy of 3GPP.
`
`In addition the Organizational Partners shall perform the following tasks:
`
` approval and maintenance of the 3GPP scope;
`
`

`

`11
`Third Generation Partnership Project Working Procedures, 31 December 2014
`
` maintenance the Partnership Project Description;
`
`
`
`taking decisions on the creation or cessation of Technical Specification Groups, and approving their scope and
`terms of reference;
`
` approval of Organizational Partner funding requirements;
`
` allocation of human and financial resources provided by the Organizational Partners to the Project Co-ordination
`Group;
`
` acting as a body of appeal on procedural matters referred to them;
`
` conduct compliance training at least annually for elected leadership, relevant Support Team personnel and
`interested parties on best practices to follow to
`
` avoid issues with respect to antitrust/competition laws and regulations;
`
`
`
`fulfil his or her leadership or support role with impartiality and in the interests of 3GPP.
`
`Collective responsibilities of all Partners
`Article 13:
`Organizational Partners and Market Representation Partners shall perform the following tasks:
`
` maintenance of the Partnership Project Agreement;
`
` approval of applications for 3GPP partnership;
`
`
`
`taking decisions relating to the dissolution of 3GPP.
`
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`
`top
`
`SECTION E: PROJECT CO-ORDINATION GROUP (PCG)
`
`PCG tasks
`Article 14:
`The PCG shall perform the following tasks:
`
` appointment of PCG Chairman and Vice Chairmen;
`
` allocation of human and financial resources provided by Organizational Partners to TSGs;
`
` allocation of voluntary human and financial resources provided by Market Representation Partners and Individual
`Members;
`
` management of the 3GPP Support Team;
`
` handling of appeals from Individual Members on procedural matters referred to them;
`
` propose and approve modifications to the Partnership Project Working Procedures;
`
` handling of appeals from Individual Members on technical matters referred to them;
`
` determination of the overall time frame and manage overall work progress;
`
`
`
`final adoption of new and stopped work items proposed by the TSGs within the agreed 3GPP scope and objectives;
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`12
`Third Generation Partnership Project Working Procedures, 31 December 2014
`
` when a work item is outside the scope of the 3GPP, and where a common global solution is desired, recommend
`how to achieve a global solution;
`
` appointment or dismissal of TSG Chairmen and Vice Chairmen, as proposed by TSGs based on election results.
`(The proposed candidate shall be appointed unless there are extraordinary reasons that prevent such an appointment,
`e.g., severe company or geographical imbalance within 3GPP. In such cases the TSG shall be requested to elect an
`alternative candidate. The decision not to appoint a candidate shall be made by consensus.);
`
` authorizing requests from the TSGs for approval to liaise with external organizations, and maintain a list of
`approved requests;
`
` maintenance of the register of Individual Members eligible to participate in 3GPP;
`
` maintenance of the register of IPR declarations relevant to 3GPP, received by the Organizational Partners.
`
`The PCG may decide to call a meeting of the full 3GPP membership if required.
`
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`
`PCG participation
`Article 15:
`The following shall have a right to participate in the PCG:
`
` Typically, a maximum of five representatives of each Organizational Partner (not counting the Chairman and Vice-
`Chairmen);
`
` A maximum of three representatives of each Market Representation Partner. (MRPs are however urged to limit their
`participation to one representative wherever possible.);
`
` The Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the TSGs as ex-officio members;
`
` A maximum of three ITU representatives;
`
` One representative of each Observer.
`
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`
`Article 16: PCG appointment of Chairman and Vice
`Chairman
`The PCG shall appoint their Chairman and Vice Chairmen from amongst the Organizational Partner representatives.
`
`The Chairman and Vice Chairmen shall be appointed for a one year term of office.
`
`The Chairman and Vice Chairmen shall normally serve one term of office. If no other candidates are available, the
`Chairman or Vice Chairmen may be appointed for a further term.
`
`Successive Chairmen and Vice Chairmen should not be from the same Organizational Partner, the same region or from
`the same group of companies, unless no other candidate is available.
`
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`
`Article 17:
`
`PCG Chairman and Vice Chairman
`Responsibilities
`The PCG Chairman is responsible for the overall management of the co-ordination work within 3GPP.
`
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`13
`Third Generation Partnership Project Working Procedures, 31 December 2014
`
`The Chairman has the overall responsibility to ensure that the Partnership Project Agreement, Partnership Project
`Description and Partnership Project Working Procedures are followed.
`
`The Chairman may nominate officials to assist in the work.
`
`The Chairman may be assisted by the Support Team.
`
`The Chairman may delegate tasks to the Vice Chairmen.
`
`In performing their leadership role, the Chairman and Vice Chairmen shall maintain impartiality and act in the interests
`of 3GPP.
`
`At the commencement of each meeting of the PCG, the group shall be reminded that:
`
`
`
`(i) compliance with all applicable antitrust and competition laws is required; and
`
`(ii) the leadership will conduct the meeting with impartiality and in the interests of 3GPP.
`
`PCG meetings
`Article 18:
`A meeting of the PCG shall be held at least twice per year.
`
`At least thirty days before the due date, a calling notice, draft agenda and supporting documents shall be issued.
`
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`
`PCG decision making
`Article 19:
`In any meeting of the PCG, the quorum required for decision making shall be 50% of the total number of
`Organizational Partners. Proxies shall not be permitted.
`
`The PCG shall endeavour to reach consensus on all issues. The views and opinions of the Market Representation
`Partners and the Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the TSGs shall be taken into account during the consensus building
`process. If consensus cannot be achieved, the Chairman can decide to take a vote. The vote may exceptionally be
`performed by a secret ballot if decided by the PCG.
`
`Each Organizational Partner shall have one vote. A proposal shall be deemed to be approved if 71% of the votes cast
`are in favour. Abstentions or failure to submit a vote shall not be included in determining the number of votes cast.
`
`top
`
`SECTION F: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION GROUPS
`
`TSG tasks
`Article 20:
`The TSGs shall prepare, approve and maintain the 3GPP Technical Specifications and Technical Reports taking into
`account the market requirements provided by Market Representation Partners.
`
`The TSGs shall also perform the following tasks:
`
` Propose to the PCG for appointment TSG Chairman and Vice Chairmen based on election results;
`
` Creation of TSG Working Groups and approval of their terms of reference;
`
` When a new Working Group is created, the appointment of TSG Working Group Convenor;
`
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`14
`Third Generation Partnership Project Working Procedures, 31 December 2014
`
` Allocation of resources within the TSG;
`
` Allocation of voluntary human and financial resources provided by Market Representation Partners and Individual
`Members;
`
` Handling of appeals from Individual Members on technical matters;
`
` Preparation of a detailed time frame and management of detailed work progress;
`
` Management of work items;
`
` Technical Co-ordination;
`
` Proposal and approval of work items within the agreed scope and terms of reference of the TSG;
`
` Where a work item is outside the scope of the 3GPP, but a common global solution is desired, recommend an
`approach to the PCG;
`
` Assignment of work to Partners. (Specification development may be accomplished using various methods,
`including the assignment of work to Partners.);
`
` Maintenance of the list of Individual Members eligible to vote within the TSG (Voting Members).
`
`TSG participation
`Article 21:
`The following shall have a right to participate in the TSGs:
`
` Representatives of members of participating Organizational Partners (i.e. Individual Members);
`
` Representatives of Organizational Partners;
`
` Representatives of Market Representation Partners;
`
` Representatives of Observers;
`
` Representatives of Guests.
`
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`
`Article 22:
`
`TSG and WG election of Chairman and Vice
`Chairman
`
`TSG elections
`22.1
`Regular TSG elections shall be held every two years in the first semester of odd numbered years.
`
`The TSG Chairman and Vice Chairmen shall be elected by the Technical Specification Group from amongst the
`Individual Member representatives. Each TSG shall elect a maximum of three Vice Chairmen.
`
`A candidate for election to a TSG Chairman or Vice Chairman position shall provide a letter of support from the
`Individual Member that he/she represents. The support letter from the Individual Member shall indicate that the
`candidate will avail or has availed th