U.S. Standards System: Direct Participation

The direct participation model allows individuals from around the globe to participate in the actual development of a standard. Many standards setting organizations develop content that is applicable for use in domestic, regional and/or global markets.

Scientific and professional societies like the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Acoustical Society of America (ASA), and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) are often involved in standards development activities that further the work of their organization.

Trade associations deal with a particular industry and promote its products or services. Some associations, such as the Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC) and the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), develop standards for the products manufactured by their members, while others might focus on developing standards for products used by their industries.

Organizations such as the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) develop technical standards that cut across many industries. Other large umbrella groups, such as ASTM International, recognize their standardization activities as a primary focus.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) works with a wide array of standards developing organizations to provide a neutral venue where consumers, standards organizations, companies and the government can come together and work towards common agreements that are acceptable to all affected parties.

ANSI is responsible for coordinating the U.S. voluntary consensus standards system and overseeing the American National Standards process. ANSI accredits the procedures of SDOs and approves standards as American National Standards (or ANS).

 What is an American National Standard?

Consortia Standards