The term refers to the desire to obtain a specific electronic document without cost. It encompasses the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard 13485, pertaining to quality management systems for medical devices, in the 2016 revision, formatted as a Portable Document Format (PDF) file, and acquired at no charge. As an example, an individual or organization seeking to implement a quality management system for medical devices may search online resources for this particular item.
Access to standards documentation is crucial for organizations seeking certification or adherence to industry best practices. It allows for a thorough understanding of requirements, facilitating the development of compliant systems and processes. Historically, standards documents were exclusively available through purchase from standards bodies. The aspiration to obtain such resources without financial expenditure reflects the challenges faced by smaller organizations or those with limited budgets aiming to achieve compliance and improve their operational quality.
