The Open Group makes the following distinctions

1. Open Group Technical Standards (formerly known as CAE Specifications)

These result from specifications that are submitted for formal Company Review and adopted by The Open Group. Specifications may be developed by the relevant Program Group or submitted through the Fast-Track Review Process.

Open Group Technical Specifications are listed in the Publications Catalog alongside other documentation. HTML versions of those published since January 1997 are available free of charge to everyone. Hard copy versions are available for purchase. Further details and order information can be found in our catalog.

2. Open Group Product Standards

These are formal compliance statements relating to the Open Brand and the Network Computing Brand. They state which open standards should be followed and the tests and other compliance indicators that must be satisfied before a product can carry the relevant brand mark. They refer to National and International Standards, certain proprietary standards as well as Open Group Technical Standards which have been adopted into The Open Group Standards Information Database (SIB) (see below)

Open Group Product Standards are available in electronic form. They link to the Register of Branded Products.

3. Open Group Standards Information Database (SIB)

This represents a collection of National and International Standards, certain proprietary standards, as well as Open Group Technical Standards which have been scrutinized by and adopted by The Open Group. The criteria for adoption and their functional relationships are provided in The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF).

The Standards Information Base can be listed in full or searched through a relational database. The SIB links to the Technical and Product Standards mentioned above. It also links to other sites where the relevant standard can be found.