U.S. Standards System: Consortia
Consortia, sometimes referred to as standards
setting organizations (SSOs), consist of groups of participants who place a
priority on developing standards quickly enough to meet time-sensitive market
demands or to harmonize or differentiate specifications within an
industry. Consortia standards are
frequently driven by companies who agree to work together to solve a specific
market need.
Some consortia have a narrow focus
and may develop only a single specification. Others are very broad and develop a large number of standards
(examples: W3C, OASIS, etc.).
The U.S.
Standards Strategy recognizes the importance of flexible
approaches to standardization that can meet specific market needs. The Strategy
also acknowledges the reality that all standards developers such as consortia
and forums play an important and integral part of the global economy, technology
base, and standards system.
For a list of consortia groups in and around the world, visit ConsortiumInfo.org.
Key Organizations in the U.S. Standards System
