A National Standards Strategy for the United States

American National Standards Institute

1/01/2005
(Original Publish Date: 2004)

Voluntary consensus standards for products, processes and services are at the foundation of the U.S. economy and society. The United States has a proud tradition of developing and using voluntary standards to support the needs of our citizens and the competitiveness of U.S. industry. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the coordinator of the U.S. standards system, has brought together public and private sector interests to make this happen. But the system is facing new challenges. Increasing global concern for health, safety and the protection of the environment combined with dramatic increases in world trade and competition from other countries have altered the standards landscape. At the national level, Congress has directed federal agencies to rely on voluntary consensus standards where compatible with their mission, raising the importance of national standardization process for both the market and society. This strategy document outlines several imperatives for action, and principles necessary for the development of standards to meet societal and market needs. It details ANSI's strategic vision for implementing these principles, including a proposal for a U.S. National Standards Strategy. Finally, the document outlines tactical issues involved in making this strategy a reality.