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ANS Development Process

We invite you to learn more about ACCT’s American National Standard (ANS) Development Process. This section includes educational content, answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and resources to help you learn when and how you can get involved.

ANS DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

ACCT is an Accredited Standards Developer (ASD) whose Accredited Procedures (AP) fully implement the ANSI Essential Requirements (ER), with oversight from ANSI’s Executive Standards Committee (ExSC) and subject to approval by the ANSI Board of Standards Review (BSR) for each standard. The use of the Project Initiation Notification System (PINS) ensures transparency and compliance with ANSI’s processes, aligning ACCT with World Trade Organization (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) standards and thereby improving international credibility and market acceptance.

If you’re feeling lost due to the jargon and acronyms, we recommend viewing—and downloading, printing, and keeping handy—the Understanding Terms and Acronyms used in the ANSI/ACCT Standards Development Process.

ACCT’s ANS Development Process is guided by the American National Standard (ANS) Development Cycle, ANSI's Essential Requirements (ER), and ACCT’s Accredited Procedures (AP), which may change from time to time. ACCT currently maintains its ANS under Periodic Maintenance, meaning it reviews and updates or reaffirms its ANS on a scheduled basis, but no less than every five (5) years.

HOW ACCT MEMBERS & STAKEHOLDERS CAN PARTICIPATE

For a more detailed description of opportunities at each step, click on the step.

How ACCT Members and Stakeholders Can Participate at Each Step
Step Member/Stakeholder Role
Any Time Apply to be a member of ACCT Volunteer Groups that have roles in the Standards Development Process; attend ACCT Events focused on standards development projects
1A. Filing a PINS Monitor new ANS projects; submit overlap/conflict comments, if applicable
1B. PINS Deliberation Join in discussions; help shape project direction
1C. Convening a Consensus Body Apply to join the Consensus Body
2. Develop a Draft ANS Apply to be a member of ACCT Volunteer Groups that have roles in the ANS Development Process; observe open meetings; attend ACCT Events focused on standards development projects; and contribute feedback and ideas through appropriate channels
3A. Public Comment Submit comments
3B. Consensus Body Ballot Vote Be part of the Consensus Body; cast informed votes
4. Resolution of Votes and Comments Review responses to your objections; engage in dialogue to resolve your comments
5. Appeals Lodge appeals if procedural issues exist
6. Final Submission Review documentation; verify due process integrity
7. ANSI Decision Monitor Standards Action
8. Publication & Maintenance Use standard; engage in future revisions or reaffirmations

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STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT PROCESS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ACCT sought accreditation to align its procedures with ANSI's, which adds credibility, transparency, and industry-wide acceptance to its standards.
Notification of ACCT ANS activities are issued through ACCT's social media accounts and regular newsletters. Interested parties are also encouraged to follow ANSI's Standards Action.
ACCT has created some resources explaining each step in the process and how you can participate. They are available on the ACCT website. 
The Board of Directors (BOD), as ACCT's governing body, with administrative support from designated staff and volunteers, oversees the process.
The Board of Directors (BOD), as ACCT’s governing body, is responsible for strategic planning.
ACCT develops standards for challenge courses, aerial adventure parks, zip lines, and canopy tours.
It is a standard developed with input from interested parties, ensuring no single viewpoint dominates and objections are fairly addressed.
Any materially impacted party can apply to join the Consensus Body (CB), submit ideas, submit comments during comment periods, and register to observe meetings of the Consensus Body and the Board of Directors (BOD). Membership on Standards Writing Task Groups and Committees may be conditioned by the Board of Directors.
Yes. Any directly and materially interested party can attend Consensus Body (CB) meetings by submitting a request to join on the ACCT website and providing the required notice.
Yes. Any directly and materially interested party can attend the Board of Directors (BOD) meetings with proper notice. Regular Board Meetings are posted on the ACCT website. To observe a meeting, register on the ACCT website.
Yes. If needed, an Accredited Standards Developer (ASD) may request that ANSI withdraw an existing ASN.
Yes. Technical Papers and other resources are available on the ACCT Website and at ACCT Events.
Submit a request via ACCT's published email or web form.
Only ACCT, as the Accredited Standards Developer (ASD), after passing the interpretation through a consensus process.
Materially affected parties are encouraged to:
  • Submit ideas for American National Standards (ANS) Projects and Revisions during Public Solicitation Periods, which ACCT may lead from time to time.
  • Submit comments during the PINS Comment Period if they believe the PINS conflicts with or duplicates another American National Standard (ANS) or they require further clarification.
  • Participate in ACCT Volunteer Groups that have roles in the Standards Development Process including but not limited to the ACCT Board of Directors (BOD), the Technical Information, Research, and Education Committee (TIRE), Standards Writing Groups, and the Consensus Body.
  • Note: Comments received during a Public Review Period that are outside the current Project (PINS) may be considered for future projects.
Materially affected parties are encouraged to:
  • Submit ideas for American National Standard (ANS) Projects and Revisions during Public Solicitation Periods, which ACCT may lead from time to time.
  • Submit comments during the PINS Comment Period if they believe the PINS conflicts with or duplicates another American National Standard (ANS) or if they require further clarification.
  • Submit comments on draft projects during the Public Review Period.
  • Participate in ACCT Volunteer Groups that have roles in the ANS Development Process including but not limited to the ACCT Board of Directors (BOD), the Technical Information, Research, and Education Committee (TIRE), Standards Writing Groups, and the Consensus Body.
  • Unsolicited feedback, suggestions, and errata submitted to the Accredited Standards Developer (ASD) outside of Public Review Periods, Public Solicitation Periods, or ACCT Events may be reviewed periodically by the Board or staff. Submitters should not expect a response. Unsolicited feedback and suggestions do not constitute a comment under ACCT's Accredited Procedures (AP).

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RESOURCES

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.

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