Through engaging and thought-provoking discussions, panelist speakers that joined the recent World Standards Day event on Capitol Hill described how codes and standards protect the nation's expansive infrastructure and emphasized the importance of government representative participation in code and standards development activities.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) co-hosted the event, which drew 62 registered attendees and had the theme, "Codes and StandardsProtecting America's Energy Infrastructure and the Built Environment." Several of the speakers highlighted the importance of encouraging states and localities to adopt up-to-date codes, noting the demonstrated benefits of more resilient infrastructure. The experts also called on Congress to support funding for infrastructure improvements and to continue to recognize the value of codes and standards to public health, safety, and the environment.
Expert panelists represented ANSI, the American Petroleum Institute (API), the International Code Council (ICC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning (ASHRAE).
As the coordinator of theU.S. voluntary standardization system, ANSI supports the collaboration of government and standards developers through ongoing outreach with events on Capitol Hill and educational outreach with informational content [See: 75 of the Thousands of Standards and Conformance Solutions Supporting Infrastructure(2017)].
About World Standards Day
World Standards Day was initially launched in 1970, and is now celebrated by nations around the globe. U.S. activities are organized annually by a planning committee consisting of representatives from the standards and conformity assessment community.
The event is co-chaired each year by ANSI and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).