How does a TAG relate to standards development?

A Technical Advisory Group (TAG) is a group of experts in a particular field. TAGs are actively involved in the creation of international standards. Their primary purpose is to develop and transmit the U.S. position on activities or draft standards of the appropriate ISO or IEC technical committees.

All TAG members attend two standards meetings in their own country. Some TAG members also attend international meetings as U.S. delegates. At international meetings, documents that members hope will result in international standards are conceived, written, revised, distributed for review, revised again, and eventually submitted for publication.

Participation in a TAG is an opportunity for various U.S. stakeholders to help shape international standards that will influence how they do business globally. Participants have devoted many years to becoming experts in their fields, and have a tremendous responsibility to protect their countries' trade and commercial interests.

TAGs are accredited by ANSI, and must follow ANSI procedures, including the Model Operating Procedures for U.S. Technical Advisory Groups to ANSI for ISO Activities.

ANSI has delegated the administration of five Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) to ASQ:

The U.S. TAG to ISO/TC 176 on quality management.

The U.S. TAG to ISO/TC 207 on environmental management.

The U.S. TAG to IEC/TC 56 on dependability.

The U.S. TAG to ISO/TC 69 on statistical applications

The U.S. TAG to ISO/TMB/WG on Social Responsibility (the prefix stands for "ISO Technical Management Board to the Working Group")

Anyone with a material interest in the work of a particular TAG is welcome to participate. E-mail the ASQ Standards team at standards@asq.org for details.