Most of the international standardisation activities are organized in ISO/TC 67 "Materials, equipment and offshore structures for petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industries". By third quarter 2011 154 standards are published of which 52 are in revision and 43 new work items are proposed. A total of 60 countries participate/observe the activities. Norway takes part in all 6 sub-committees in ISO/TC 67, and contributes with experts in most of the working groups. The Norwegian petroleum industry participates also in many of other international standardisation committees.
The petroleum activity in Norway is based on the PSA Regulation of 31 of August 2001 "Regulations relating to Health, Environment and Safety in the petroleum activities" (the Framework Regulations).
International (developed by ISO) and european standards (developed by CEN), form the basis of all activities in the petroleum industry. Experts from a wide range of Norwegian companies participate heavily in the development of international and european standards, in order to define safe and economical design and processes. However, Norwegian safety framework and climate conditions may require own standards, or additions and supplements to International Standards (ISO) and European Standards (EN). The NORSOK standards are developed to fulfil these needs.
The NORSOK standards are developed by the Norwegian petroleum industry to ensure adequate safety, value adding and cost effectiveness for existing and future petroleum industry developments in Norway.
The objective is to provide international standardisation work with Norwegian knowledge in order to improve international standards and reduce the need for NORSOK standards.
The preparation and publication of the NORSOK standards is supported by OLF (The Norwegian Oil Industry Association) and Federation of Norwegian Industries. NORSOK standards are managed and issued by Standards Norway.