As the U.S. member body to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) seeks comments on a proposal for a new ISO standard focused on guidelines for the promotion and implementation of gender equality. AFNOR, the ISO member for France submitted the proposal. ANSI seeks stakeholder input by June 25, 2021.
AFNOR issued the proposal with the following scope statement:
"Standardization in the field of gender equality with the aim of developing a technical guidance on how to promote and implement gender equality in all types of organizations, public or private, regardless of their size, location and field of activity."
The objective is to develop guidelines on:
• Concepts, terms and definitions
• Identification of existing good practices
• Definition of actions, strategies, policies for the promotion and implementation of gender equality
Related standardization work on diversity in human resources management as covered by ISO Technical Committee (TC) 260, Human resources management, is excluded.
According to the proposal, the creation of an international standard on gender equality will add another building block towards the realization of gender equality and womens' and girls’ rights. The new standard will also support the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which is focused on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Review the proposal for additional information and submit comments to Steven Cornish, ANSI senior director of international policy and strategy, at [email protected], by close of business on June 25, 2021. Based on input received from U.S. stakeholders, a recommended ANSI position and any comments will be developed and presented at the ANSI ISO Committee (AIC) for approval before ISO's voting deadline of August 4, 2021.
ANSI has published an explanatory information document outlining the process used to develop U.S. positions in issues and activities under consideration by ISO and IEC.