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ANS Development Process

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Upon approval by the ANSI BSR, ACCT may publish the American National Standard under the “ANSI/ACCT” designation, distribute the ANS to members, and publish the ANS for sale. A period of time may pass between acceptance and publication to allow for document layout and design, as well as electronic and print publication.

Under periodic maintenance, ACCT is required to engage in maintenance cycles according to the Essential Requirements (ER)—including revision proposals or reaffirmation support—to maintain the ANS in accordance with its Accredited Procedures (AP).

HOW ACCT MEMBERS & STAKEHOLDERS CAN PARTICIPATE

  • Use and promote the finalized ANS.
  • Submit ideas for Standards Projects and Revisions during Public Solicitation Periods, which ACCT may lead from time to time.
  • Monitor Standards Action and ACCT Communication Channels for notices of reaffirmation, revision, or withdrawal.
  • Attend ACCT Events and participate in ACCT Courses focused on Standards Education.

PUBLICATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ACCT uses periodic maintenance, meaning standards are reviewed and updated periodically per ANSI requirements. 
English. Only English versions are submitted for ANSI approval, and only English versions can be called an American National Standard (ANS). Other language versions can be considered informal translations, but they may not bear the ANS mark or be referred to as ANSI/ACCT XX-XXXX. All disputes or interpretations shall reference the English version only.
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).

Materially affected parties are encouraged to:

  • Submit ideas for 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. 
  • Submit comments during Public Review Periods.
  • 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 (CB).

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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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