ANSIstandard

An ANSI standard is a standard that has been approved as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ANSI standards are developed through private-sector organizations and are intended to be voluntary and nationally recognized. ANSI does not itself produce technical standards; instead, it accredits standards development organizations (SDOs), oversees conformity assessment, and coordinates the U.S. position in international standardization.

ANSI traces its origins to the American Engineering Standards Committee in 1918, which evolved into the American Standards Association (ASA) in 1928 and was renamed the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in 1969. The organization serves as the coordinator and umbrella body for U.S. standardization efforts, rather than as a producer of specific technical requirements.

Development of ANSI standards follows a consensus-based process. Standards are drafted by representatives from industry, government, consumer groups, and other stakeholders; drafts undergo public review and formal balloting. ANSI accredits the organizations that create the standards and monitors the due-process procedures to ensure openness, balance, and broad participation.

In addition to approving standards, ANSI accredits conformity assessment bodies that test and certify products, systems, and personnel against these standards. This accreditation supports market confidence and helps enable procurement and regulatory compliance.

International alignment is a key role for ANSI. It represents the United States in International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) activities and often coordinates adopting ISO/IEC standards as American National Standards after U.S. consensus processes.

Scope of ANSI standards covers a wide range of sectors, including safety, information technology, manufacturing, and quality management. Examples include the ANSI Z535 family for safety signs and the ANSI Z87.1 standard for eye and face protection, among many others used to facilitate interoperability and consumer protection.