ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses how national and international industrial capital interests challenge the national requirements of risk regulations and governance. Through the NORSOK standardization process, the Norwegian oil industry works actively to adapt to international standards. To a certain extent, national industry standards such as NORSOK seek to cover the gap identified between international standards and the Norwegian requirements, where these are the most appropriate. Consequently, the development and maintenance of NORSOK standards are intended to develop and maintain the Norwegian industry’s competitiveness nationally and internationally, while simultaneously allowing it to pursue its operations safely and acceptably, according to the prevailing norms and values of Norwegian working life. This means to incorporate, embed, and anchor the NORSOK standardization process in Norwegian tripartite institutions. However, problems occur when the participating representatives, struggling to maintain a unifying standardization process, are obliged, at the same time, to convey conflicting interests and viewpoints.
