ANSI Accreditation
Being an ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer (ASD) means that the Association for Challenge Course Technology, doing business as ACCT International (ACCT), has formally demonstrated adherence to rigorous, transparent, and balanced procedures in standards creation. This accreditation—overseen by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)—is not given lightly; only standards developers whose processes meet stringent criteria earn this designation.
What ANSI Accreditation Signifies
Openness and Due Process. ACCT must use procedures that are open to all interested parties, transparent in operation, and fair to all—ensuring no single group dominates. This structure ensures that every stakeholder can participate meaningfully in shaping standards.
Consensus-Based Standard Management Process. ACCT’s standards development is grounded in consensus—general agreement, not necessarily unanimity. Drafts undergo public comment, feedback is carefully considered, and decisions are informed by broad stakeholder input.
ANSI Oversight and Accountability. Once accredited, ACCT must maintain and clearly document its procedures, submit annual compliance reports, undergo periodic audits, and obtain reaccreditation when procedural revisions occur.
Why ANSI Accreditation Matters for ACCT and Its Stakeholders
Credibility and Trust. Accreditation signals that ACCT’s processes are trustworthy, fair, and professionally managed—a reassuring seal for members, regulators, and the broader public.
Authority to Publish American National Standards (ANS). Only ASDs like ACCT can submit proposed standards for official approval as American National Standards. This accreditation empowers ACCT to elevate its industry standards to nationally recognized status.
Broader Recognition and Global Alignment. Authorized American National Standards are respected both nationally and internationally.
ACCT’s Accreditation Journey
ACCT has been an ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer since 2006 and issued its first official American National Standard (ANS) in 2016.
Most recently, in August 2025, ANSI re-accredited ACCT under updated Accredited Procedures, following public review, governance review, and stakeholder involvement. This was a revision to reaccreditation under new procedures in September 2024. The revised procedures—crafted through a collaborative Task Force, approved by ACCT’s Board of Directors and the Consensus Group, then finally accepted by ANSI—reflect heightened transparency, clear pathways for engagement, and inclusive stakeholder feedback.
ANSI FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ANSI is a private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standards and conformity assessment system.
ANSI provides a framework for fair standards development and quality conformity assessment systems. ANSI does not develop standards itself. It accredits standards-developing organizations (SDO) to ensure their procedures meet ANSI’s due process requirements.
Any group that develops and publishes technical standards through a consensus-based process. ANSI accredits SDOs to ensure their procedures meet ANSI's requirements for openness, balance, consensus, and due process. ACCT is an SDO. It is also an Accredited Standards Developer.
An organization, such as ACCT, that has voluntarily submitted its written procedures to ANSI and been accredited by the ANSI Executive Standards Council (ExSC) as meeting the Essential Requirements (ER) for due process and governance in standards development. Accreditation is a prerequisite for submitting documents for approval as an American National Standard (ANS).
A voluntary consensus standard developed by an Accredited Standards Developer (ASD)—like ACCT—in accordance with the ASD’s Accredited Procedures (AP) and the ANSI Essential Requirements: Due process requirements for American National Standards (ER) and subject to ANSI’s neutral oversight and approval. These requirements are designed to ensure that the development of American National Standards is a fair and responsive process that is open to all directly and materially interested parties.
A voluntary consensus standard is a type of standard developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies through the use of a development process characterized by openness, balance, due process, consensus, and the right to appeals.
PURCHASE ACCT STANDARDS
ACCT MEMBERS
A digital license for the current American National Standard is available to ACCT Members as a member benefit. The benefit is extended to sub-accounts of organizational members.
NON-MEMBERS
Purchase digital and print versions of the current American National Standard, and some older versions are available at the ACCT store.
RESOURCES
NEXT STEPS
ACCT STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES
- ACCT’s Standards Development Process. Learn more about ACCT’s ACCT Standards Development Process. Digital resources, answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and information to help you learn when and how to get involved.
- Current ANS Development Project. Learn more about ACCT’s current Standards projects.
- ACCT Board of Directors. View roster, upcoming meetings, ACCT guiding documents, and minutes from previous meetings; register to attend an upcoming Board Meeting.
- ACCT Consensus Body. View roster of the ACCT Consensus Body, view meeting schedule and minutes, register to observe a meeting, and apply to be a Consensus Body Member.
- ACCT Accredited Procedures. Download Procedures for Organization, Development, and Maintenance of Challenge Course Standards by the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT), ACCT’s governing document for ANS Development.
- Frequently Asked Questions. A collection of the Standards FAQs from the pages in this section.
- ANSI Essential Requirements. View and download ANSI Essential Requirements.
- Understanding Standards Development Definitions and Acronyms. A guide to understanding common terminology, abbreviations, and acronyms found in the Standards Development Process.
- Contact the ASD. Submit requests for official interpretation, comments on a draft project, ideas for projects or revisions, and unsolicited feedback, suggestions, or errata.