Standards Development FAQs

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.

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).

ACCT submits a Project Initiation Notification System (PINS) form to ANSI and begins forming a Consensus Body (CB).

PINS stands for "Project Initiation Notification System." It is a formal notice that a new standard or revision is starting. It includes scope, need, and stakeholder information..

The Board of Directors (BOD), as the governing body of ACCT, by a simple majority vote. 

The group that approves the content of a draft ANS and whose vote demonstrates evidence of consensus.

Submit an application identifying your qualifications and interest category. The application is available on the Consensus Body (CB) page of the ACCT website.

The interest categories listed within ACCT's Accredited Procedures are Producer, Servicer, User - Commercial, User - Educational, and General Interest. ACCT has the ability to add or change categories based on ANS development projects.

Yes. ACCT recommends a size of 9-15 members to keep it manageable and effective.

Short Answer: A group assigned by the Board of Directors (BOD). Context: The BOD, acting on behalf of the Accredited Standards Developer (ASD), may assign task groups of individuals with competencies relevant to the work to be accomplished. The Accredited Standards Developer (ASD) may delegate the formation of task groups to standing committees such as Technical Information, Research & Education (TIRE) to form and manage these task groups. The work output of the committee or task group will be evaluated by the ASD and, following approval, will be forwarded to the Consensus Body for balloting and put out for public review.

The Board of Directors (BOD), as the governing body of ACCT.

ACCT may occasionally open and invite the larger community to attend when the group is seeking informal feedback on a project.

Per ANSI Essential Requirements (ER) and ACCT's Accredited Procedures (AP), balance is not required outside of the Consensus Body (CB).

30, 45, or 60 days, depending on how and where the document is shared. The length of the period and instructions for accessing the draft and submitting comments will be included in the announcement in ANSI's Standards Action and in notifications through ACCT's channels. 

Drafts, or instructions to access drafts, are posted on ACCT's website and ANSI's Standards Action.

Yes. Public comments are welcome during the designated review period. 

Yes. Any content not processed under ANSI rules must be clearly marked.

Per ACCT’s Accredited Procedures (AP), at least a majority must vote, and two-thirds of those voting must approve (not counting abstentions).

ACCT submits it to ANSI with documentation showing that all essential requirements were followed.

Each comment is reviewed and responded to in writing. If unresolved, you'll be notified of your appeal rights. Additional information is available in ACCT's Accredited Procedures (AP), Section 6.8 

Unresolved objections are documented, shared with the Consensus Body (CB), and reported to ANSI before approval.

Parties who are directly and materially interested in and who have been or will be adversely affected by any procedural action or inaction by the Accredited Standards Developer (ASD) or any ASD-related process have the right to appeal. Additional information is available in ACCT's Accredited Procedures (AP), Section 11. 

Yes, you can appeal, but it is important to understand that the appeals process is primarily for procedural, no technical, issues. Additional information is available in ACCT's Accredited Procedures (AP), Section 11. 

No single interest group on the Consensus Body can control the decision-making. Balance across interest categories is required.

ACCT works to restore balance through outreach and recruitment from underrepresented interest categories.

By limiting any one interest group to no more than one-third of the body for safety-related standards.

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).