President and CEO ofAmerican National Standards Institute U.S. standardization strategyBy S. Joe Bhatia 乔·巴提亚美国标准化战略Unlike many other nations, the U.S. standards and conformity assessment system is private-sector-led and highly decentralized. The system is naturally partitioned into industrial sectors that are supported by numerous independent, private sector standards developing organizations, or SDOs. Marketplace demand drives the system’s activities, with standards and conformity assessment programs typically occurring in response to specific concerns and needs expressed by industry, government, and consumers.This demand-driven approach is what we refer to as a “bottom-up” system, because the market and stakeholders drive standardization needs and harmonization, rather than a prescriptive or government-driven system. This is different from many other countries that follow a top-down or more government-prescriptive model. But that’s not to say there is no coordination or leadership in the U.S. system – and that’s where ANSI fits in. ANSI serves as the facilitator, coordinator, and collective voice of the U.S. voluntary standardization system, helping to drive efficient standardization activities that best respond to industry, government, market,and societal needs.BETTER COMMUNICATION ｜ GREATER VALUEThe U.S. standards system and strategyU.S. has a voluntary standards system, with broad representation and participation from industry, government, consumers, academia and others. And one of its essential components is a requirement for consensus-based decision-making in the standards development process. This approach, which is inclusive by design, offers flexibility, efficiency, and responsiveness, and maximizes opportunities for innovation and growth while addressing health and safety risks and enabling interoperability.The United States Standardization Strategy was created in recognition of the power of standardization. It is a guiding framework developed through coordinated efforts of a large and diverse group of constituents including stakeholders in government, industry, SDOs, consortia, consumer groups, and academia.The original strategy document, developed in 2000, was called the “National Standards Strategy,” but in 2005 it was updated and renamed the “U.S. Standards Strategy” --- reflecting the importance of globalization, and a standardization environment t h a t in co r p o r a t e s n e w t y p e s o f s t an dard s development activities, more flexible approaches, and new structures. ANSI leadership played a key role in developing the document as well as its recent updates, ensuring that the core principles remain the same while responding to major shifts in the U.S. and global economic landscapes.One of the most important aspects of the Strategy is its endorsement of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement, which promotes cooperation and discourages the use standards as trade barriers. And to achieve this, the U.S. Standardization Strategy defines a need for the standards development process to be flexible, timely, and balanced. And more specifically, the strategy defines ninekey principles for standards development: transparency, openness, impartiality, effectiveness, relevance, consensus, performance-based, coherence, due process, and technical assistance.These principles and their reflection of the WTO TBT principles are what determine the relevance of a standard. And while ANSI acts as the coordinator of the U.S. system, we don’t prescribe one particular standards developer or type of developer – whether U.S.-based or internationally structured – for any scope of activity. Rather, the market decides, by determining which standard is most fit for purpose in any particular industry sector to move the technology forward, while complying with various public-safety mandates.BETTER COMMUNICATION ｜ GREATER VALUEHow ANSI fits into the systemSince 1918 -- 100 years exactly -- ANSI has administered and coordinated voluntary standards and conformity assessment activities in the U.S., with the cooperation of the private sector and the federal, state and local governments, and we engage in standardization forums throughout the world as the U.S. National Standards Body. The Institute is a unique partnership of industry, professional, technical, trade, labor, academic, and consumer organizations, as well as government agencies. These members of the ANSI federation are the ones actually developing standards and conformity assessment programs, contributing their time and expertise in order to make the system work.There are currently 240 SDOs across a broad range of industry sectors that are accredited by ANSI to develop American National Standards. And there are now more than 12,000 ANSI-approved ANS that address topics as diverse as dimensions, ratings, terminology and symbols, test methods, interoperability criteria, product and system specifications, and performance and safety requirements.The Institute’s approval of a candidate standard or conformity assessment program as an ANS verifies that the principles of openness and due process have been followed and that a consensus of all interested parties has been reached. Due process requires that all proposed ANS be circulated to the public at large for comment, that an attempt be made to resolve all comments, and that there is a right of appeal. In addition, ANSI considers any evidence that a proposed ANS is contrary to the public interest, contains unfair provisions or is unsuitable for national use. This basic formula has been the hallmark of the ANS process for decades, and it has garnered worldwide respect and acceptance.One of the best indicators of confidence in the U.S. voluntary consensus standardization and conformity assessment system is Congress’s 1996 passage of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act, or NTTAA. This law requires federal agencies to use voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment programs for regulatory purposes wherever feasible, and to procure equipment and services in accordance with such standards. It also requires agencies to increase their participation in the development process and directs the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to coordinate federal, state and local "voluntary standards and related conformity assessment activities."Within this diverse system, hundreds of standards developing organizations (SDOs) and consortia are engaged in the creation and maintenance of standards for virtually every industry sector, and often working cooperativelyand collaboratively on common objectives. Frontline experts from companies, labor, consumer and industrial organizations---and many representatives of government agencies at all levels--- voluntarily contribute their knowledge, talents, and efforts to standards-setting activities, working on the cutting edge of various technologies with a dedication to ensuring that broad and deep expertise is considered.The dynamic strength of the system is a reflection of its guiding principles, which assert that standards should meet societal and market needs and should not be developed to act as barriers to trade. Collabration with ChinaChina is an important export market for many U.S. companies which is why ANSI offers key information through a web standards portal that supports information exchange for American and Chinese companies. Market access and market acceptance requirements are a key element for export success. The portal is a communication platform that provides access to standards used in China, China’s laws and customs regulations, U.S. export regulations, an ever-expanding FAQ session, and more.You can find information about China and other export markets, information on the ANSI Manufacturer Member Roundtable in China, Delegation Visits to ANSI, the ANSI in China newsletter published quarterly in English and in Chinese, and other documents and resources related to international trade.ANSI recently began implementation of its 3rd contract under the USTDA funded, U.S.-China Standards and Conformity Assessment Cooperation Program (SCACP). The program calls for the implementation of 20 workshops in China over a 3-year period, covering a wide range of sectorial topics related to the standards, conformity assessment programs, and technical regulations that impact U.S. and Chinese industry. We have organized 4 out 20 workshops so far on topics related to green building materials, green lighting certification, smart and green hospitals, the global meat industry and ultra-sound education and certification.We will also be hosting SAC Administrator Mr. Tian Shihong in Washington DC in 2019 and organizing another executive roundtable on enterprise standards. We hope to have productive discussions and updates on the implementation of the revised Standardization Law. We lookforward to continuing an effective and cooperative future with China.。
