ANSI Standards Developer
Accreditation Process

ANSI Essential Requirements

1.1 Openness

Participation shall be open to all parties who are directly and materially interested in the activity in question. There shall be no undue financial barriers to participation. Voting membership on the consensus body shall not be conditional upon membership in any organization, nor unreasonably restricted on the basis of technical qualifications or other such requirements.

2.1 Openness

Timely and adequate notice of any action to create, revise, reaffirm, or withdraw a standard, and the establishment of a new consensus body shall be provided to all known directly and materially interested parties. Notice should include a clear and meaningful description of the purpose of the proposed activity and shall identify a readily available source for further information. In addition, the member's name (or if membership is by organization, the name of the organization with a point of contact), affiiliation and interest category of each member of the consensus body shall be made available to interested parties upon request. The affiliation of a consensus body member refers to the entity that the consensus body member represents, which may or may not be that person’s employer. If the consensus body member is serving in an individual capacity, then the name of the individual, their sponsors¹ (if any) and interest category shall be made available upon request. Contact information is not required.

¹ A sponsor is defined as an organization that provides funds specifically to support the individual’s participation in the standards activities of the consensus body.

ANSI Essential Requirements

1.2 Lack of dominance

The standards development process shall not be dominated by any single interest category, individual or organization. Dominance means a position or exercise of dominant authority, leadership, or influence by reason of superior leverage, strength, or representation to the exclusion of fair and equitable consideration of other viewpoints.

2.2 Lack of dominance

Unless it is claimed in writing (including electronic communication) by a directly and materially interested party that a single interest category, individual or organization dominated the standards development process, no test for dominance is required.

ANSI Essential Requirements

1.3 Balance

The standards development process should have a balance of interests. Participants from diverse interest categories shall be sought with the objective of achieving balance. If a consensus body lacks balance in accordance with the historical criteria for balance, and no specific alternative formulation of balance was approved by the ANSI Executive Standards Council, outreach to achieve balance shall be undertaken.

2.3 Balance

Historically the criteria for balance are that a) no single interest category constitutes more than one‑third of the membership of a consensus body dealing with safety-related standards or b) no single interest category constitutes a majority of the membership of a consensus body dealing with other than safety-related standards.

The interest categories appropriate to the development of consensus in any given standards activity are a function of the nature of the standards being developed.  Interest categories shall be discretely defined, cover directly and  materially interested parties and differentiate each category from the other categories.  Such definitions shall be available upon request. 

Consensus body members, including consultants², typically are classified in accordance with the business or other interests of their employers or the sponsors they represent in connection with the standards development activity. In cases where a consensus body member receives funding from the sponsoring ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer (ASD) or other entities, that information shall be disclosed to determine if it will impact the member’s interest classification.

In determining the interest categories appropriate to a standards development activity, an ASD shall give consideration to at least the following three categories:

a)         producer;

b)         user;

c)         general interest.

If, after consideration, a “General Interest” category is deemed appropriate, that interest category should include only those whose business or other interests are not covered by another discretely defined interest category.

Where appropriate, additional interest categories should be considered.³ However, interest categories shall not be created for the purpose of avoiding balance requirements.

ANSI Essential Requirements

1.4 Coordination and harmonization

Good faith efforts shall be made to resolve potential conflicts between and among existing American National Standards and candidate American National Standards.

2.4 Coordination and harmonization

Good faith efforts shall be made to resolve potential conflict between and among existing American National Standards and candidate American National Standards.

2.4.1 Definition of Conflict

Conflict within the ANS process refers to a situation where, viewed from the perspective of a future implementer, the terms of one standard are inconsistent or incompatible with the terms of the other standard such that implementation of one standard under terms allowable under that standard would preclude proper implementation of the other standard in accordance with its terms.

2.5 Notification of standards development and coordination

Timely and adequate notice of standards development activity, including formation of a consensus body or consensus body meeting, shall be announced in media suitable to demonstrate that a meaningful opportunity for participation by all directly and materially interested parties in a fair and equitable manner was provided. 

Developers are encouraged to consult any relevant international or regional guides that may impact the proposed standard and shall advise the relevant ANSI-Accredited U.S. TAG(s) if the standard is intended to be submitted for consideration as an ISO, IEC or ISO/IEC JTC-1 standard. 

2.6 Consideration of views and objections

Prompt consideration shall be given to the written views and objections of all participants, including those commenting on the PINS announcement or public comment listing in Standards Action.

In connection with an objection articulated during a public comment period, or submitted with a vote, an effort to resolve all expressed objections accompanied by comments related to the proposal under consideration shall be made, and each such objector shall be advised in writing (including electronic communications) of the disposition of the objection and the reasons therefor. If resolution is not achieved, each such objector shall be informed in writing that an appeals process exists within procedures used by the standards developer. In addition, except in the case of Audited Designators, each objection resulting from public review or submitted by a member of the consensus body, and which is not resolved (see definition) must be reported to the ANSI BSR.

When this process is completed in accordance with the written procedures of the standards developer, the standards developer may consider any comments received subsequent to the closing of the public review and comment period, or shall consider them in the same manner as a new proposal. Timely comments that are not related to the proposal under consideration shall be documented and considered in the same manner as submittal of a new proposal. The submitter of the comments shall be so notified.

Each unresolved objection and attempt at resolution, and any substantive change made in a proposed American National Standard shall be reported to the consensus body in order to afford all members of the consensus body an opportunity to respond, reaffirm, or change their vote.

⁷ Although a 60-day public comment period is not required in all instances, a number of provisions in the ANSI Essential Requirements, when read in combination, satisfy the WTO’s 60-day rule. Before adopting a standard, ANSI-Accredited Standards Developers shall allow a period of at least 60 days in total for submission of comments on the draft standard if requested by an interested party within the territory of a Member of the WTO. Exceptions outlined in the rule are permitted due to issues of safety, health or environment. (See WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), Annex 3 Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards (CGP) Substantive Provision L.)

ANSI Essential Requirements

1.9 Written procedures

Written procedures shall govern the methods used for standards development and shall be available to any directly and materially interested party.

ANSI Essential Requirements

2.3 Balance

Historically the criteria for balance are that a) no single interest category constitutes more than one‑third of the membership of a consensus body dealing with safety-related standards or b) no single interest category constitutes a majority of the membership of a consensus body dealing with other than safety-related standards.

The interest categories appropriate to the development of consensus in any given standards activity are a function of the nature of the standards being developed.  Interest categories shall be discretely defined, cover directly and  materially interested parties and differentiate each category from the other categories.  Such definitions shall be available upon request. 

Consensus body members, including consultants², typically are classified in accordance with the business or other interests of their employers or the sponsors they represent in connection with the standards development activity. In cases where a consensus body member receives funding from the sponsoring ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer (ASD) or other entities, that information shall be disclosed to determine if it will impact the member’s interest classification.

In determining the interest categories appropriate to a standards development activity, an ASD shall give consideration to at least the following three categories:

a)         producer;

b)         user;

c)         general interest.

If, after consideration, a “General Interest” category is deemed appropriate, that interest category should include only those whose business or other interests are not covered by another discretely defined interest category.

Where appropriate, additional interest categories should be considered.³ However, interest categories shall not be created for the purpose of avoiding balance requirements.

ANSI Essential Requirements

1.5 Notification of standards development

Timely and adequate notice of standards development activity shall be announced in media suitable to demonstrate that a meaningful opportunity for participation, debate and deliberation by all directly and materially interested parties in a fair and equitable manner was provided.

2.5 Notification of standards development and coordination

Timely and adequate notice of standards development activity, including formation of a consensus body or consensus body meeting, shall be announced in media suitable to demonstrate that a meaningful opportunity for participation by all directly and materially interested parties in a fair and equitable manner was provided. 

Developers are encouraged to consult any relevant international or regional guides that may impact the proposed standard and shall advise the relevant ANSI-Accredited U.S. TAG(s) if the standard is intended to be submitted for consideration as an ISO, IEC or ISO/IEC JTC-1 standard. 

2.5.1 Project Initiation Notification System (PINS)

At the initiation of a project to develop or revise an American National Standard⁶, notification shall be transmitted to ANSI using the Project Initiation Notification System (PINS) form, or its equivalent, for announcement in Standards Action. Comments received in connection with a PINS announcement shall be handled in accordance with these procedures.

A statement shall be submitted and published as part of the PINS announcement that shall include:

1. an explanation of the need for the project, including, if it is the case, a statement of intent to submit the standard for consideration as an ISO, IEC or ISO/IEC JTC-1 standard; and
2. identification of the stakeholders (e.g., telecom, consumer, medical, environmental, etc.) likely to be directly impacted by the standard; and
3. the interest categories that will or are expected to comprise the consensus body.

If the response to sub-section (b) changes substantively as the standard is developed, a revised PINS shall be submitted and published.

If a developer receives a written request for additional information or for the opportunity to discuss the proposal from a directly and materially interested outside party or current consensus body member, during the 30-day PINS comment period, the ASD shall respond in writing within 30 days of the comment deadline.

2.5.1.1 PINS Exceptions

A PINS is not required for revisions of an American National Standard that is maintained under continuous maintenance and (1) is registered as such on the ANSI website, (2) has a notice in the standard that the standard is always open for comment and how to submit comments, and (3) has information on the developer's website that the standard is under continuous maintenance and how to submit comments. A PINS is also not required in connection with the decision to maintain an ANS under the stabilized maintenance option. A PINS form may be submitted, but is not required, at the initiation of a project to reaffirm or withdraw an American National Standard.

2.5.1.2 Assertions of conflict or duplication

If a developer receives written comments within 30 days from the publication date of a PINS announcement in Standards Action, and said comments assert that a proposed standard duplicates or conflicts with an existing American National Standards (ANS) or a candidate ANS that has been announced previously (or concurrently) in Standards Action, a mandatory deliberation of representatives from the relevant stakeholder groups shall be held within 90 days from the comment deadline. Such a deliberation shall be organized by the developer and the commenter and shall be concluded before the developer may submit a proposed standard for public review. If the deliberation does not take place within the 90-day period and the developer can demonstrate that it has made a good faith effort to schedule and otherwise organize it, then the developer will be excused from compliance with this requirement. The purpose of the deliberation is to provide the relevant stakeholders with an opportunity to discuss whether there is a compelling need for the proposed standards project.

⁶ Including the national adoption of ISO and IEC standards as American National Standards, but excluding actions set-forth in 2.5.1.1.

2.5.1.3 PINS Deliberation Report

The outcome of a PINS deliberation shall be conveyed in writing (the "Deliberation Report) within 30 days after the conclusion of the deliberation by the developer to the commenter and to ANSI. Upon submission of the Deliberation Report, the developer may continue with the submission of the proposed standard for public review. If additional deliberations take place, they should not delay the submission of the proposed standard for public review, and an updated Deliberation Report shall be conveyed within 30 days after each deliberation. Any actions agreed upon from the deliberations shall be carried out in a reasonably timely manner, but normally should not exceed 90 days following the deliberation. Subsequently, the developer shall include all of the Deliberation Report(s) with the BSR-9 submittal to the ANSI Board of Standards Review (BSR) for consideration should the developer ultimately submit the subject standard to ANSI for approval. Stakeholders who were involved in the PINS deliberation process may also file separate Deliberation Report(s) with ANSI and the developer within 30 days after conclusion of any deliberation for consideration by the BSR, if the standard is submitted to ANSI for approval.

In the case of ANSI Audited Designators, the Audited Designator shall provide a Deliberation Report to the commenter and to ANSI within 30 days after each deliberation. The Audited Designator shall review the results of the deliberation prior to designating a standard as an ANS.

While the outcome is not binding, unless binding provisions are agreed to by the developer, participants are encouraged to develop a consensus on whether and how the standards development project should proceed. See also 4.3.

2.5.2 Public Review⁷

In addition, proposals for new American National Standards and proposals to revise, reaffirm, or withdraw approval of existing American National Standards shall be transmitted to ANSI using the BSR-8 form, or its equivalent, for listing in Standards Action in order to provide an opportunity for public comment. If it is the case, then a statement of intent to submit the standard for consideration as an ISO, IEC or ISO/IEC JTC-1 standard shall be included as part of the description of the scope summary that is published in Standards Action. The comment period shall be one of the following:

• A minimum of thirty days if the full text of the revision(s) can be published in Standards Action;
• A minimum of forty-five days if the document is available in an electronic format, deliverable within one day of a request, and the source (e.g., URL or an E-mail address) from which it can be obtained by the public is provided to ANSI for announcement in Standards Action; or
• A minimum of sixty days, if neither of the aforementioned options is applicable.

Such listing may be requested at any stage in the development of the proposal, at the option of the standards developer, and may be concurrent with final balloting. However, any substantive change subsequently made in a proposed American National Standard requires listing of the change in Standards Action.

ANSI Essential Requirements

1.6 Consideration of views and objections

Prompt consideration shall be given to the written views and objections of all participants, including those commenting on the PINS announcement or public comment listing in Standards Action.

2.6 Consideration of views and objections

Prompt consideration shall be given to the written views and objections of all participants, including those commenting on the PINS announcement or public comment listing in Standards Action.

In connection with an objection articulated during a public comment period, or submitted with a vote, an effort to resolve all expressed objections accompanied by comments related to the proposal under consideration shall be made, and each such objector shall be advised in writing (including electronic communications) of the disposition of the objection and the reasons therefor. If resolution is not achieved, each such objector shall be informed in writing that an appeals process exists within procedures used by the standards developer. In addition, except in the case of Audited Designators, each objection resulting from public review or submitted by a member of the consensus body, and which is not resolved (see definition) must be reported to the ANSI BSR.

When this process is completed in accordance with the written procedures of the standards developer, the standards developer may consider any comments received subsequent to the closing of the public review and comment period, or shall consider them in the same manner as a new proposal. Timely comments that are not related to the proposal under consideration shall be documented and considered in the same manner as submittal of a new proposal. The submitter of the comments shall be so notified.

Each unresolved objection and attempt at resolution, and any substantive change made in a proposed American National Standard shall be reported to the consensus body in order to afford all members of the consensus body an opportunity to respond, reaffirm, or change their vote.

⁷ Although a 60-day public comment period is not required in all instances, a number of provisions in the ANSI Essential Requirements, when read in combination, satisfy the WTO’s 60-day rule. Before adopting a standard, ANSI-Accredited Standards Developers shall allow a period of at least 60 days in total for submission of comments on the draft standard if requested by an interested party within the territory of a Member of the WTO. Exceptions outlined in the rule are permitted due to issues of safety, health or environment. (See WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), Annex 3 Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards (CGP) Substantive Provision L.)

ANSI Essential Requirements

1.7 Consensus Vote

Evidence of consensus in accordance with these requirements and the accredited procedures of the standards developer shall be documented.

2.7 Evidence of consensus and consensus body vote

Evidence of consensus in accordance with these procedures and the accredited procedures of the standards developer shall be documented. Consensus is demonstrated, in part, by a vote of the consensus body. The developer's procedures shall state specifically how consensus will be determined.

An example of the criteria for consensus includes a requirement that a majority of the consensus body cast a vote (counting abstentions) and at least two-thirds of those voting approve (not counting abstentions). The developer may submit for approval an alternative methodology for determining consensus.

The consensus body vote shall be conducted and reported in accordance with the rules set forth herein. Votes for the approval of a document or portion thereof as a candidate ANS may be obtained by letter, fax, recorded votes at a meeting or electronic means. All members of the consensus body shall have the opportunity to vote. When recorded votes are taken at meetings, members who are absent shall be given the opportunity to vote before or after the meeting.

1. ANSI-Accredited Standards Developers (ASDs) shall not change a vote unless instructed to do so by the voter. If the change of vote was not submitted in writing by the voter, then written confirmation of such a vote change shall be provided to the voter by the developer. It is never appropriate for an ASD to inform voters that if they are not heard from, their negative vote will be considered withdrawn and their vote will be recorded as an abstention or an affirmative. All negative votes that are not changed at the request of the voter shall be recorded and reported to the BSR as unresolved negatives by any ASD that has not been granted the authority to designate its standards as American National Standards without approval by the BSR.
2. ASDs shall record and consider all negative votes accompanied by any comments that are related to the proposal under consideration. This includes negative votes accompanied by comments concerning potential conflict or duplication of the proposed standard with an existing American National Standard and negative votes accompanied by comments of a procedural or philosophical nature. These types of comments shall not be dismissed due to the fact that they do not necessarily provide alternative language or a specific remedy to the negative vote.
3. ASDs are not required to consider negative votes accompanied by comments not related to the proposal under consideration, or negative votes without comments. The ASD shall indicate conspicuously on the letter ballot that negative votes must be accompanied by comments related to the proposal and that votes unaccompanied by such comments will be recorded as “negative without comments” without further notice to the voter. If comments not related to the proposal are submitted with a negative vote, the comments shall be documented and considered in the same manner as submittal of a new proposal. If clear instruction is provided on the ballot, and a negative vote unaccompanied by comments related to the proposal is received notwithstanding, the vote may be counted as a “negative without comment” for the purposes of establishing a quorum and reporting to ANSI. However, such votes (i.e., negative vote without comment or negative vote accompanied by comments not related to the proposal) shall not be factored into the numerical requirements for consensus, unless the ASD’s procedures state otherwise. The ASD is not required to solicit any comments from the negative voter. The ASD is not required to conduct a recirculation ballot of the negative vote. The ASD is required to report the “no” vote as a “negative without comment” when making their final submittal to the BSR unless the ASD has been granted the authority to designate its standards as American National Standards without approval by the BSR.
4. The ASD shall maintain records of evidence regarding any change of an original vote.
5. Except in regard to votes on membership and officer-related issues, each member of a consensus body should vote one of the following positions (or the equivalent):
   a) Affirmative;
   b) Affirmative, with comment;
   c) Negative, with reasons (the reasons for a negative vote shall be given and if possible should include specific wording or actions that would resolve the objection);
   d) Abstain.
6. For votes on membership and officer-related issues, the affirmative/negative/abstain method of voting shall be followed. Votes with regard to these issues need not be accompanied by reasons and need not be resolved or circulated to the consensus body.

Consensus body

The group that approves the content of a standard and whose vote demonstrates evidence of consensus.

ANSI Essential Requirements

1.8 Appeals

Written procedures of an ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer (ASD) shall contain an identifiable, realistic, and readily available appeals mechanism for the impartial handling of procedural appeals regarding any action or inaction. Procedural appeals include whether a technical issue was afforded due process.

2.8 Appeals

The provision for appeals is an important element of due process. This section gives general criteria regarding the right to appeal, to whom appeals are made and what may be appealed.

ANSI Essential Requirements

3.1 ANSI patent policy - Inclusion of Patents in American National Standards

There is no objection in principle to drafting an American National Standard (ANS) in terms that include the use of an essential patent claim (one whose use would be required for compliance with that standard) if it is considered that technical reasons justify this approach.

Participants in the ASD/ANSI standards development process are encouraged to bring patents with claims believed to be essential to the attention of the ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer (ASD).

If an ASD receives a notice that a proposed, revised or approved ANS may require the use of such a patent claim that is not already covered by an existing assurance, the procedures in this clause shall be followed.

3.1.1 Statement from patent holder

The ASD shall receive from the patent holder or a party authorized to make assurances on its behalf, in written or electronic form, either:

a) assurance in the form of a general disclaimer to the effect that such party does not hold and does not currently intend holding any essential patent claim(s); or

b) assurance that a license to such essential patent claim(s) will be made available to applicants desiring to utilize the license for the purpose of implementing the standard either:

i) under reasonable terms and conditions that are demonstrably free of any unfair discrimination; or
ii) without compensation and under reasonable terms and conditions that are demonstrably free of any unfair discrimination.

Such assurance shall indicate that the patent holder (or third party authorized to make assurances on its behalf) will include in any documents transferring ownership of patents subject to the assurance, provisions sufficient to ensure that the commitments in the assurance are binding on the transferee, and that the transferee will similarly include appropriate provisions in the event of future transfers with the goal of binding each successor-in-interest.

The assurance shall also indicate that it is intended to be binding on successors-in-interest regardless of whether such provisions are included in the relevant transfer documents.

3.1.2 Record of statement

A record of the patent holder’s statement shall be retained in the files of the ASD and shall be made publicly available (at the ASD's election, either on the ASD's website or ANSI's Letter of Assurance (LOA) repository).

3.1.3 Notice

When the ASD receives from a patent holder the assurance set forth in 3.1.1.b above, the standard shall include a note substantially as follows:

NOTE – The user’s attention is called to the possibility that compliance with this standard may require use of an invention covered by patent rights.

By publication of this standard, no position is taken with respect to the validity of any such claim(s) or of any patent rights in connection therewith. If a patent holder has filed a statement of willingness to grant a license under these rights on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms and conditions to applicants desiring to obtain such a license, then details may be obtained from the standards developer.

3.1.4 Responsibility for identifying patents

Neither the ASD nor ANSI is responsible for identifying patents for which a license may be required by an American National Standard or for conducting inquiries into the legal validity or scope of those patents that are brought to their attention.

ANSI Essential Requirements

3.2 Commercial terms and conditions

Except as otherwise permitted by these Essential Requirements, ANS shall not include terms or conditions that are primarily contractual or commercial in nature, as opposed to technical, engineering or scientific in nature. Thus, for example, an ANS shall not include contractual requirements (3.2.1); endorse or require the use of proprietary products or services (3.2.2); or endorse or require the use of particular conformity-assessment bodies, testing facilities or training organizations (3.2.3).

3.2.1 Contractual Requirements

Except as provided below, ANS shall not include contractual requirements such as those relating to particular products or services, guarantees, warranties, reworks, indemnities, buybacks, price-related terms and other conditions of sale or use.

3.2.2 Endorsements of Proprietary Products or Services

ANS shall not endorse or require the purchase or use of proprietary products or service providers as a condition of implementing the standard. Proprietary in this context means products or services that are the property of an owner and cannot be obtained or recreated without the consent of the owner. For example, an ANS may not endorse or require the purchase or use of brand-name tools or components, licenses, manufacturer lists, service provider lists or copyrighted materials.⁸

However, for informational purposes, where known sources exist for products or services necessary to comply with the ANS, it is permissible, but not obligatory, to identify the sources (which may include a source's name and address) in a footnote, an appendix, or reference to a website. The referenced products or services shall be reasonably available from the referenced sources, the words "or the equivalent" shall be added to the reference, and the reference shall also expressly state that identification of products or services is not an endorsement of those products or services or their suppliers.

⁸ The term "copyrighted materials" is not intended to include: (a) manufacturers' instruction/safety manuals; or (b) third-party standards, when such documents are incorporated by reference into the text of an ANS for non-commercial technical, or safety-related purposes, as long as such references do not otherwise violate other provisions of the Commercial Terms and Conditions Policy (e.g., they cannot also include warranties, guarantees and like commercial clauses).

3.2.3 Conformity Assessment, Testing and Training

In connection with ANS that relate to the determination of whether products or services conform to one or more standards, the process or criteria for determining conformity may be standardized as long as the description of the process or criteria is limited to technical, engineering or scientific concerns and does not include what would otherwise be contractual or commercial terms.

It is permissible for health, safety or environmental protection reasons to include a generic requirement for third-party, i.e., independent, conformity assessment, testing or training. ANS shall not dictate the use or non-use of a particular conformity-assessment body, testing facility or training organization.

However, for informational purposes, where known sources exist for products or services necessary to determine compliance with the ANS, it is permissible, but not obligatory, to identify the sources (which may include a source's name and address) in a footnote, an appendix, or reference to a website. The referenced products or services shall be reasonably available from the referenced sources, the words “or the equivalent” shall be added to the reference, and the reference shall also expressly state that identification of sources is not an endorsement of those sources.

ANSI Essential Requirements

3.3 Antitrust Policy

American National Standards shall be developed in accordance with applicable antitrust and competition laws and meetings amongst competitors to develop American National Standards are to be conducted in accordance with these laws.

ANSI Essential Requirements

3.4 Evidence of compliance

ANSI-Accredited Standards Developers shall retain records to demonstrate compliance with all aspects of these and the developer’s accredited procedures. Such records shall be available for audit as directed by the ANSI Executive Standards Council (ExSC).

ANSI Essential Requirements

3.5 Metric policy

Each ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer shall have on file at ANSI a metric policy. International System of Units (SI) are the preferred units of measurement in American National Standards.

ANSI Essential Requirements

3.6 Interpretations policy

Each ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer shall have on file at ANSI an interpretations policy. Official interpretations of American National Standards shall be made only by the accredited standards developer responsible for maintenance of that standard. ANSI shall not issue, nor shall any party have the authority to issue, an interpretation of an American National Standard in the name of the American National Standards Institute. Requests for interpretations addressed to ANSI shall be referred to the responsible standards developer.

ANSI Essential Requirements

4.5 Publication of American National Standards

American National Standards shall be published and made available as soon as possible, but no later than six months after approval as an American National Standard. The standards developer shall publish the standard or shall grant the right of publication to ANSI.

If an American National Standard is not published within six months following its approval, the standards developer may request an extension of this deadline from the BSR or its designee. Such a request shall be in writing, shall supply the reason for the delay, and shall indicate a firm final date for publication. At its discretion, the BSR or its designee may grant an additional period of time for publication. Audited Designators are not required to request an extension, but shall ensure an equivalent publication schedule and maintain documentation related to any publication delays.

The BSR or its designee shall publish a notice in Standards Action of intent to withdraw approval if the standards developer a) fails to publish the standard or fails to grant ANSI the right to publish within six months after its approval as an American National Standard and does not request an extension of the deadline despite follow-up or b) fails to meet the extended deadline.

ANSI Essential Requirements

4.7 Maintenance of American National Standards

American National Standards shall be kept current and relevant by means of timely revision, reaffirmation or action to stabilize. Obsolete standards shall be withdrawn. Except in the case of the national adoption of ISO and IEC standards as American National Standards, when the maintenance provisions contained in the ANSI Procedures for the National Adoption of ISO or IEC Standards as American National Standards shall apply, standards developers are permitted three options – periodic maintenance, continuous maintenance or stabilized maintenance – as outlined below.

4.7.1 Periodic maintenance of American National Standards

Periodic maintenance is defined as the maintenance of a standard by review of the entire document and action to revise or reaffirm it on a schedule not to exceed five years from the date of its approval¹² as an American National Standard.

In the event that a PINS or BSR-8/108 has not been submitted for an American National Standard within five years after its approval, the standards developer may request an extension of time to reaffirm or revise the standard, or shall withdraw the standard. The request for an extension of time shall be submitted to ANSI within thirty days following five years after the approval date of the American National Standard. Requests for extensions shall provide the program and schedule of work that will lead to revision, reaffirmation, or withdrawal. The extension may be granted by the ExSC or its designee.

No extension of time beyond ten years from the date of approval shall be granted for action on a standard. Except in the case of a national adoption,¹³ an ANS maintained under the periodic maintenance option shall not retain its status as a current American National Standard beyond ten years from the date of approval. Such approval automatically expires on the tenth anniversary date of approval as an American National Standard.

In the event that an American National Standard approved by a standards developer who has been granted authority to designate its standards as American National Standards is not reaffirmed, revised, or withdrawn within five years after its approval, the standards developer shall follow its own procedures to ensure that work is proceeding and shall retain confirming documentation. Except in the case of a national adoption,¹⁴ an ANS maintained under the periodic maintenance option shall not retain its status as a current American National Standard beyond ten years from the date of approval. Such approval automatically expires on the tenth anniversary date of approval as an American National Standard.

4.7.2 Continuous maintenance of American National Standards

Continuous maintenance is defined as the maintenance of a standard by consideration of recommended changes to any part of it according to a documented schedule for consideration and action by the consensus body. The standard shall be maintained by an accredited standards developer. A documented program for periodic publication of revisions shall be established by the standards developer. Processing of these revisions shall be in accordance with these procedures. The published standard shall include a clear statement of the intent to consider requests for change and information on the submittal of such requests. Procedures shall be established for timely, documented consensus action on each request for change and no portion of the standard shall be excluded from the revision process. In the event that no revisions are approved for a period of ten years, and the ANS has not been reaffirmed, the ANS approval automatically expires on the tenth anniversary date of its approval as an ANS.

4.7.3 Stabilized maintenance of American National Standards

A standard that is maintained under the stabilized maintenance option shall satisfy the following eligibility criteria:

a) the standard addresses mature technology or practices, and as a result, is not likely to require revision; and
b) the standard is other than safety or health related; and
c) the standard currently holds the status of American National Standard and has been reaffirmed at least once; and
d) at least ten years have passed since the approval or last revision of the standard as an ANS; and
e) the standard is required for use in connection with existing implementations or for reference purposes.

The due process and consensus requirements defined herein apply to the decision to maintain an ANS under the stabilized maintenance option. A developer who wishes to maintain one or more ANS under the stabilized maintenance option shall include a provision or notification to this effect in its accredited procedures

An ANS maintained under the stabilized maintenance option is not required to be revised or reaffirmed on a routine 5-year cycle; however, it shall be subject to review of such status by the sponsoring standards developer on a 10-year cycle. If it is determined in connection with this review that the standard shall continue to be maintained under the stabilized maintenance option and as such does not require revision or withdrawal, then this shall be communicated to ANSI by the standards developer and a related announcement shall be made in Standards Action. Notification to ANSI shall be accomplished via the submittal of an informational announcement if the standard will continue to be maintained under the stabilized maintenance option or will be withdrawn, or via a PINS, if the standard will be revised.

If a recommendation is made at any time by a directly and materially interested party that a standard maintained under the stabilized maintenance option requires revision or should be withdrawn, then that recommendation shall be considered in the same manner as a new proposal but within a maximum of 60 days from receipt. A recommendation should include rationale to begin a revision, and shall not be dismissed due to the fact that it does not necessarily suggest a specific revision. The submitter of such a recommendation shall be responded to in writing by the standards developer within 60 days of the receipt of the recommendation and advised of the decision relative to the maintenance status of the standard.

An ANS that is maintained under the stabilized maintenance option shall include a clear statement of the intent to consider requests for change and information on the submittal of such requests.

The decision to maintain an ANS under the stabilized maintenance option and the process by which it is maintained shall be subject to appeal to the standards developer. A subsequent appeal to ANSI may be made to the ANSI Executive Standards Council based on a claim of procedural non-compliance.

ANSI Essential Requirements

4.2.1.3.3 Discontinuance of a standards project

An accredited standards developer may decide to abandon the processing of a proposed new or revised American National Standard or portion thereof at its own discretion and without a vote of the relevant consensus body.

Accredited standards developers must notify ANSI immediately of such actions which will be announced in Standards Action.

ANSI Essential Requirements

4.6 National Adoption of ISO or IEC Standards as American National Standards

ANSI-Accredited Standards Developers that wish to adopt an ISO or IEC standard as an American National Standard shall comply with the requirements set forth in the ANSI Procedures for the National Adoption of ISO or IEC Standards as American National Standards.

ANSI Essential Requirements

4.7.3 Stabilized maintenance of American National Standards

A standard that is maintained under the stabilized maintenance option shall satisfy the following eligibility criteria:

a) the standard addresses mature technology or practices, and as a result, is not likely to require revision; and
b) the standard is other than safety or health related; and
c) the standard currently holds the status of American National Standard and has been reaffirmed at least once; and
d) at least ten years have passed since the approval or last revision of the standard as an ANS; and
e) the standard is required for use in connection with existing implementations or for reference purposes.

The due process and consensus requirements defined herein apply to the decision to maintain an ANS under the stabilized maintenance option. A developer who wishes to maintain one or more ANS under the stabilized maintenance option shall include a provision or notification to this effect in its accredited procedures

An ANS maintained under the stabilized maintenance option is not required to be revised or reaffirmed on a routine 5-year cycle; however, it shall be subject to review of such status by the sponsoring standards developer on a 10-year cycle. If it is determined in connection with this review that the standard shall continue to be maintained under the stabilized maintenance option and as such does not require revision or withdrawal, then this shall be communicated to ANSI by the standards developer and a related announcement shall be made in Standards Action. Notification to ANSI shall be accomplished via the submittal of an informational announcement if the standard will continue to be maintained under the stabilized maintenance option or will be withdrawn, or via a PINS, if the standard will be revised.

If a recommendation is made at any time by a directly and materially interested party that a standard maintained under the stabilized maintenance option requires revision or should be withdrawn, then that recommendation shall be considered in the same manner as a new proposal but within a maximum of 60 days from receipt. A recommendation should include rationale to begin a revision, and shall not be dismissed due to the fact that it does not necessarily suggest a specific revision. The submitter of such a recommendation shall be responded to in writing by the standards developer within 60 days of the receipt of the recommendation and advised of the decision relative to the maintenance status of the standard.

An ANS that is maintained under the stabilized maintenance option shall include a clear statement of the intent to consider requests for change and information on the submittal of such requests.

The decision to maintain an ANS under the stabilized maintenance option and the process by which it is maintained shall be subject to appeal to the standards developer. A subsequent appeal to ANSI may be made to the ANSI Executive Standards Council based on a claim of procedural non-compliance.

3.4.3 An ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer has three options relative to American National Standards maintained under the stabilized maintenance option (see 4.7.3):

1. Records shall be retained until the standard is reaffirmed, revised, or subsequently reviewed in connection with the stabilized maintenance of the standard as an ANS.
2. Records shall be retained based on the formula established by the ANSI ExSC as set-forth in the ANSI Auditing Policy and Procedures.
3. A developer that does not choose option 1 or option 2 will be audited more frequently and shall retain all records for all standards approved as ANS subsequent to the most recent ANSI audit until completion of the current audit.

Records concerning withdrawals of all American National Standards shall be retained for at least five years from the date of withdrawal or for a duration consistent with the audit schedule.