U.S. Standards System: SDOs (Private Sector)

The role of standards developing organizations and consortia

Standards developing organizations (SDOs) are independent organizations within the U.S. system; each developer has the autonomy to decide which standards it would like to develop, to set its own policies, and to pursue ANSI accreditation and approval. Unlike many other national standards bodies, ANSI does not have the authority to assign specific developers to develop specific standards. Instead, each developer identifies and reacts to market needs as it sees fit.

SDOs in the U.S. are generally private-sector not-for-profit organizations and typically receive funding through membership dues, publication sales, and/or certification services. SDOs and their individual standards development activities are not typically subsidized by the U.S. government. Because SDOs are responsible for their own operating costs, they tend to focus on developing only standards that fit a particular market need.

Most SDOs in the U.S. operate in an open, transparent, balanced, consensus-based model with due process for dissenting opinions. In general, these SDOs are open to, and even actively recruit, participation from foreign stakeholders.

 Learn more about SDOs that promote foreign membership and participation.

Many U.S.-based SDOs meet all of the criteria for international standards development as outlined by the WTO TBT committee.

 Learn more about these activities.

The Role of Consortia

While the principles of openness, transparency, balance, consensus and due process are promoted in the U.S., the U.S. Standards Strategy also recognizes the importance of flexible approaches to standardization that can meet specific market needs. Consortia consist of groups of like-minded participants who place a priority on developing standards quickly enough to meet market demands or to harmonize or differentiate specifications within an industry. Consortia usually have a narrow focus, with some developing only a single specification. However, some consortia are very broad and develop a large number of standards (examples: W3C, OASIS, etc.).

Consortia are often referred to as “standards setting organizations” or SSOs, drawing a distinction between their activities and those of the more traditional SDOs.

 A list of consortia operating in the U.S. and around the world is available online.

The role of U.S. industry