Search Icon White
Close Icon White
Aerial view of a container ship at a loading dock.

Approval of American National
Standards (ANS)

ANS Approval Process

Step 1: Filing of Project Initiation Notification System (PINS) for publication in Standards Action

The American National Standards (ANS) approval process begins when an ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer (ASD) files a PINS form, indicating the initiation of an ANS project and its announcement for public comment. The PINS form contains information on the purpose of the proposed American National Standard and a description of relevant stakeholders and project needs.

Here's what you do:

ANSI’s Web Forms Portal provides access to the PINS (and other) forms used to generate mandatory notification of standards development activities, in compliance with ANSI’s Essential Requirements (see section 2.5)

See section 2.5

A PINS FILING MAY INDICATE:

  • A proposed new American National Standard (ANS)
  • A proposed revision to an existing ANS
  • The proposed national adoption of an ISO, IEC, or ISO/IEC international standard as an ANS
  • The reaffirmation or withdrawal of an existing ANS (PINS filing is optional in these two cases)

Within 2 weeks of filing a PINS, you will receive an acknowledgement e‐mail confirming the date your announcement will be published in ANSI Standards Action. The Standards Action announcement initiates a 30-day public comment period.

You should also seek publication of the announcement of the proposed ANS activity in relevant trade publications and other suitable media in order to demonstrate the opportunity for participation by all directly and materially affected persons.

Step 1: Filing of Project Initiation Notification System (PINS) for publication in Standards Action

The American National Standards (ANS) approval process begins when an ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer (ASD) files a PINS form, indicating the initiation of an ANS project and its announcement for public comment. The PINS form contains information on the purpose of the proposed American National Standard and a description of relevant stakeholders and project needs.

Here's what you need to know

Step 1: Filing of Project Initiation Notification System (PINS) for publication in Standards Action

The American National Standards (ANS) approval process begins when an ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer (ASD) files a PINS form, indicating the initiation of an ANS project and its announcement for public comment. The PINS form contains information on the purpose of the proposed American National Standard and a description of relevant stakeholders and project needs.

Useful tips

  • Prior to submitting a proposal, you are encouraged to consult any relevant international or regional guides that may impact the proposed standard and advise the relevant ANSI-Accredited U.S. Technical Activity Group (TAG) if the standard is intended to be submitted for consideration as an ISO, IEC, or ISO/IEC standard.
  • If you have any problems submitting a PINS or you don't receive a receipt or see your proposal listed in Standards Action, please email ANSI right away for assistance at [email protected]. Most failed submittals are due to not hitting the "submit" button, entering invalid data, or attempting to upload incompatible file attachments.
Blue and white paragraph question icon.

Have questions or need some help?

ANSI's Procedures and Standards Administration (PSA) staff can answer your questions or provide additional guidance.

Email ANSI Staff