American National Standards Institute

What is ANSI?

ANSI stands for the American National Standards Institute. It is an organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes and systems in the United States.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is popular and widely known in various industries for its role in setting and promoting standards that ensure consistency, quality and safety. This article describes the meaning of ANSI and ANSI standards, their history, functions and impact on businesses, consumers and regulatory agencies.

What are ANSI standards made for?

ANSI standards are used to establish guidelines and specifications for products, services, processes and systems in various industries. These standards help ensure quality, safety and compatibility, making it easier for companies to produce reliable products and services and for consumers to use them with confidence.

ANSI Code

An ANSI code refers to standardized numeric or alphabetic codes whose documentation is issued by ANSI to ensure uniform identification of geographic entities by all government agencies. These codes help organize and categorize the vast array of standards created by ANSI, making it easier for industry professionals to access and implement the appropriate standards for their products, services or processes.

Background history of ANSI

The background history of ANSI dates back to 1918, when five engineering societies and three government agencies formed the American Engineering Standards Committee (AESC) to address the growing need for standardization in engineering practices.

In 1966, AESC was reorganized and became the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), a private nonprofit organization dedicated to coordinating and accrediting voluntary consensus standards across various industries in the United States.

Since then, ANSI has played a crucial role in developing and promoting standards to improve safety, efficiency and innovation in American industries.

Key Functions of ANSI

ANSI’s work is almost invisible to consumers, but the institute performs several important functions:

Membership: ANSI provides a platform for companies, universities, nonprofits, and other organizations to help shape industry standards.
U.S. Standards: ANSI coordinates and approves standards for the United States and ensures that they meet national requirements.
Global Standards: ANSI represents the U.S. in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), which influence the development of global standards.
Emerging Technology: ANSI works with a variety of organizations, including industry groups and regulatory agencies, to create standards for emerging technologies.
Trade and Regulation: ANSI helps companies meet global standards to facilitate international trade and verifies that products comply with regulations.

ANSI Certifications

ANSI does more than just accredit standards that ensure products and systems meet industry requirements. It also evaluates organizations and professionals that develop these standards and certifies those who follow best practices. ANSI accreditation demonstrates a commitment to industry-recognized ANSI regulations and helps ensure consistency and reliability across industries.

The ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), a division of ANSI, manages accreditations and certifications in many industries. In addition to evaluating public and private laboratories to confirm that they meet international testing and compliance standards, ANAB also oversees programs such as ISO/IEC 17024, which certifies professionals in industries such as engineering, safety, healthcare, environmental management, and cybersecurity. These certifications confirm that professionals have the skills and knowledge to perform their work according to globally recognized standards.