How are standards priced

Pricing standards in a nutshell

The pricing of standards is primarily based on the scope and contents of publications:

• The scope of a publication is a key factor in pricing. Standards that are wider in scope also involve more specifications, requirements and guidelines. This means more work for standardization experts both in terms of developing and updating publications.
• Consistent pricing principles ensure uniform pricing for standards that are similar in terms of their scope and content.
• The pricing of standards is in line with national and international practices developed by standardization bodies as well as legislation on protection of copyright. Standards are subject to copyright, and to use them, a right of use is required. This ensures that the quality, updating and development of standards can be secured both now and in the future.

In summary, users of standards pay for reliable content that is developed by a large network of experts through international collaboration and continuously kept up to date.

One-off purchase or subscription

Standards are available for one-off purchase, or they can be subscribed to. The best option depends on the number of standards and the frequency of their use in an organisation.

• One-off purchase is a great option for when you only need one or a few standards for a small number of users.
• The standard subscription service is designed for organisations that need several standards or use them in their daily operations.

One-off purchase

The pricing of one-off purchases is primarily based on the number of pages in a publication. One-off purchases are charged at a list price and include the currently valid version of the publication. One-off purchases do not include any later updates or revisions.

With one-off purchase, you are granted the right of use to a standard. You may download and save the standard on one workstation and make one print-out of the standard. If you have purchased a single printed copy or PDF file of a standard and wish to share it as paper copies in an internal meeting, for example, you may do so by paying an additional fee.

When to choose the subscription service

The subscription service is designed for organisations that use standards in their daily operations or have a large number of users. Subscriptions are based on an annual fee. The pricing of subscriptions comprises various factors that together ensure ease of use, up-to-date content and the continuous development of the service.

How are subscriptions priced

Annual subscription fees are determined based on a number of factors:

• Standards included in the subscription. You are only paying for the standards your organisation needs. The annual fee is based on the total value of the standards included in your subscription. You can choose to include withdrawn versions or only currently valid versions of the standards. You can also determine whether you need both Finnish and English language versions.
• Up to date. Standards are automatically updated, meaning you always have access to the latest versions.
• Number of users. The annual fee also depends on the number of users for the standards included in the subscription. The service is always tailored to your organisation’s actual needs.
• Selected service level. The selected service level affects the scope and pricing of your subscription. You can choose to read standards in a browser in the HTML view or print them out. If you need to use the contents of standards in your organisation’s systems, this is also possible with the right service level. By choosing the service level best suited to your organisation, you are only paying for the features and content that you need.

Maintenance fee in support of developing the service

The subscription service also includes a publisher-specific maintenance fee covering the technical maintenance and continuous development of the service. The maintenance fee helps ensure

• the availability and security of standards in the online service
• the functionality and usability of the service
• the development of new features and improvements based on customer needs.

The maintenance fee plays a role in facilitating the long-term development and improvement of the subscription service.

Predictable and flexible adaptation to organisational needs

As the pricing of subscriptions is based on predefined principles, the costs are predictable and support long-term planning. Subscriptions can also be modified by adding or removing standards or by adjusting the service level upon the commencement of a new agreement period.

Choose the best way to get the standards you need

The best way to get the standards you need depends on

• the number of standards you need
• the number of users
• your preferred way to use standards (HTML view, printouts, etc.).

One-off purchases may be sufficient for infrequent needs. If standards are a part of your daily work or if they are widely used in your organisation, the subscription service is likely to offer better value and flexibility.

Need help?

If you have any questions regarding pricing or purchasing, our experts are happy to help you find the best solution for your organisation.

One-off purchases, contact our Customer Service

Customer Service

Our Customer service can be reached by email or by phone on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

09 1499 3353

sales@sfs.fi

Subscriptions, contact our Account Managers

Jukka Björn

Account Manager
Sales

+358 50 500 5500

jukka.bjorn@sfs.fi

Timo Mansikka

Account Manager
Sales

+358 50 438 1991

timo.mansikka@sfs.fi

Virpi Nummisalo

Account Manager
Sales

+358 40 516 5874

virpi.nummisalo@sfs.fi