The German standards institute DIN explains why it works by consensus: Damit der Markt die Normen akzeptiert, sind eine breite Beteiligung, Transparenz und Konsens Grundprinzipien bei DIN. (So that the market accepts standards, broad participation, transparency and consensus are basic principles at DIN.) All groups with an interest in a topic can take part. Before a standard is adopted, the draft is published, and the professional public can comment on it through an online portal. All participants then revise the draft on the basis of the comments. Applying a DIN standard is in principle voluntary. It becomes binding only when a contract or a law requires it.