PD-0089: Specifying Mechanism in PP Objectives

This decision represents a long-term technical decision based on an OD, and may not be the same as the final results of the source OD. With respect to published criteria documentation and scheme documents, it provides suggested guidance on evaluation direction, but is not authoritative. Authoritative decisions are provided through the published criteria documents and published scheme and international interpretations thereof. With respect to published PPs, PDs are authoritative corrections to the PP, based on input from the PP author (if available), that are in force until the publication of the next revision of that PP.

Issue

A PP under evaluation contains an objective that calls out a specific mechanism. However, this specific mechanism is not captured in the SFR that maps to the objective. Is it appropriate to include specific implementation mechanisms in a PP? Is this the way to specify them?

Resolution

In general, the goal of a PP is to be application independent. Thus, unless compelling arguments convince otherwise, mechanism should not be in a PP. Specification of mechanism is more appropriately done in the context of an ST.

However, the CC does not preclude specifying mechanism within a PP if that is the PP author's desire. However, such specification should be done in a proper manner; i.e., thorough refinement of an existing SFR to add a mechanism specification, or through an explicitly specified requirement. If mechanism is specified in an objective, that objective should correspond to an SFR that specifies the same mechanism.

Modification History:

2004-08-12

Updated effective date to reflect the date the PD was issued. (August 2004 NIB 6.c.xiv)

References:

• None

Related NIs:

• None

Related CCIMB-INTERPs:

• None

Source OD: 0210