There are hundreds of ANSI-Accredited Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) activities (i.e., Technical Committees, Subcommittees); access the full list here. U.S. TAGs are bodies accredited by ANSI for participation in ISO technical activities on behalf of the United States.
See section 2 of the International Procedures for the functions of an ANSI-Accredited U.S. ISO TAG.
ANSI-Accredited U.S. TAGs are administered by TAG Administrators, organizations that are accredited by ANSI to be responsible for ensuring compliance with the ANSI International Procedures and a set of U.S. TAG procedures.
The formation and accreditation of a U.S. TAG and the approval of an organization to serve as its TAG Administrator are related issues that are generally addressed jointly, with oversight of the ANSI Executive Standards Council (ExSC). ANSI-Accredited U.S. TAGs to ISO are required to demonstrate and operate in compliance with the ANSI International Procedures, including Annex B, “ANSI Criteria for the Development and Coordination of U.S. Positions in the International Standardization Activities of the ISO and IEC.”
These criteria include openness, balance, an opportunity for public comment, the right to appeal, and other procedural requirements that help ensure due process in U.S. TAG activities. In addition to the ANSI International Procedures, the ISO/IEC Directives govern U.S. participation in ISO activities.
Note: U.S. TAGS for IEC committees are appointed by the U.S. National Committee in a distinct process.
Below is a summary of the steps in ANSI's accreditation of U.S. TAGs to ISO activities and approval of TAG Administrators divided into two phases – getting accredited and staying accredited. Getting accredited is a one-time application/review process, while staying accredited includes ongoing maintenance requirements overseen by ANSI.
If your organization would like to propose a new technical area of activity at ISO and is interested in serving as a TAG Administrator for an ISO activity (TC/SC), these steps can guide you through the process.
Less-common scenarios may not be fully addressed in these steps; contact [email protected] for questions and additional guidance.
Click on a step for more details
Once accredited, there are a set of ongoing requirements to maintain your status:
ANSI’s Procedures and Standards Administration (PSA) staff can answer your questions or provide additional guidance about the accreditation process.
ANSI's ISO Team (ISOT) can provide assistance to ANSI-Accredited U.S. TAG Administrators to ISO activities concerning their roles.
