How does the voluntary standards system work?
Standards are developed in a "voluntary" system. This means that the decision to use standards is generally determined by individuals and businesses in the marketplace: No one if forced to adopt them. (However, if a government agency has adopted one or more standards within its mandatory regulations, compliance with the referenced standards is also mandatory for those working with that agency.)
The voluntary nature of the U.S. system provides certain advantages: It allows the flexibility necessary to respond to changes in technology and market demand, and anyone with a vested interest in a proposed standard can participate in its development.
However, a system such as this requires oversight. That is why the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) was formed in 1918 by five professional/technical societies and three federal government agencies, prompted by a desire to eliminate conflict and duplication in the U.S. voluntary standards development process. One of ANSI‘s goals is to ensure that the consensus process of developing U.S. standards is followed.
Today, ANSI guides the efforts of the more than 200 major standards-developing organizations.
ANSI carries out its oversight responsibilities with a rigorous system of checks and balances that ensure each and every standard that has been declared an "American National Standard" has been developed with due process. ANSI also requires that American National Standards undergo review and revision at regular intervals, so that the best and newest ideas are incorporated. ANSI’s requirements provide clear and consistent channels of communication, so all parties involved know their views will be addressed. These requirements also prevent industries from influencing the development of standards in ways that would give them an unfair edge over their competition.
ASQ is a member of ANSI and is accredited by them to be a standards-developing organization. ASQ annually declares to ANSI that it follows and support the consensus process of developing American National Standards.
