OverviewUSStandardsSystemGeneral.pptVIP

Overview of the U.S. Standardsand Conformance Systems Premise A Standard is a Document Standard Document established by consensus and approved by recognized body that provides for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities … ISO/IEC Guide 2:2004 Standardization and related activities – General vocabulary Most standards are developed and used on a voluntary basis Most standards are developed by technical committees formed within the private sector Government and industry representatives participate as “equal partners” in many of these technical committees Costs are borne by the participants Voluntary vs. Mandatory “Voluntary Standards” become mandatory only when: They are incorporated into contracts; or They are referenced or adopted by government agencies as part of a regulation to protect public health, safety, and the environment. The U.S. Standardization ModelA Unique Approach Among Many in the World resembles the nation’s governmental (federal) structure resembles the nation’s economic structure sector-based and driven by market needs relies strongly on diversity and decentralization Structure of the U.S. Standardization System ANSI – Coordinator of the Private Sector Private sector, non-profit, membership organization Supported by membership fees, sale of publications, funded programs and a periodic government grant Standards Developing Organizations (SDOs) Private trade and professional organizations, often non-profit Some, but not all, accredited by ANSI NIST (National Institute of Standards Technology – US Department of Commerce) Coordinates the standards activities of Federal agencies Sets Legal Metrology Standards; Accredits Laboratories American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Founded in 1918 by five professional / technical societies and three federal government agencies From the beginning, a private- and public-sector partnership Only accreditor of U.S. standards developers