American National Standards Institute

American National Standards Institute
Formation	1918
Type	Non-profit organization
Headquarters	Washington, D.C., United States
Membership	N/A
Language	N/A
Leader title	President
Leader name	Joe Bhatia
Website	www.ansi.org

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States. ANSI also coordinates U.S. standards with international standards so that American products can be used worldwide.

History

ANSI was founded in 1918 by five engineering societies and three government agencies. The organization was established to enhance the global competitiveness of U.S. businesses and to improve the quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems.

Functions

ANSI's primary functions include:

• Accreditation: ANSI accredits standards developers that adhere to its procedures for consensus, due process, and openness. This ensures that the standards are developed in a fair and equitable manner.
• Standards Development: ANSI itself does not develop standards, but it facilitates the development of standards by accrediting the procedures of standards-developing organizations (SDOs).
• International Standards Coordination: ANSI represents the U.S. in international standards organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• Conformity Assessment: ANSI provides accreditation services to organizations that certify products, personnel, and systems.

Standards

ANSI oversees the creation, promulgation, and use of thousands of norms and guidelines that directly impact businesses in nearly every sector. These standards ensure that the characteristics and performance of products are consistent, that people use the same definitions and terms, and that products are tested the same way.

Membership

ANSI's membership comprises government agencies, organizations, companies, academic and international bodies, and individuals. Members contribute to the development of American National Standards and participate in ANSI's governance.

Impact

ANSI plays a crucial role in ensuring that U.S. products and services are competitive in the global marketplace. By coordinating standards development and conformity assessment activities, ANSI helps to:

• Enhance the quality and safety of products and services
• Facilitate international trade
• Promote innovation and technological advancement

See Also

• ISO 9000
• ISO 14000
• National Institute of Standards and Technology
• Standardization

References

• ANSI About Page
• International Organization for Standardization

External Links

• Official ANSI Website

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  ANSI logo