CHAPTER 2 - American versus Global

Abstract

International harmonization is the goal of American Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) for some existing and future codes, standards, and recommended practices. Harmonization is a process by which internationally recognized SDOs cooperate to produce standards and conformity assessment procedures for manufactured goods and services, which are accepted by all nations participating in that process. The only accepted exceptions to harmonized standards involve those for specific local normative practices. Harmonization allows the easy movement of goods and services throughout the world, without any questions of product quality, personal safety, fire safety, or trade barriers. There are three major international standards organizations that deal with electrotechnical issues. They include the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Countries that have adopted the IEC and ISO standards could place impediments to, or restrictions on the importation of goods that do not meet their harmonized standards. That situation emphasizes the need for international harmonization of standards, allowing the unimpeded flow of goods around the world. The challenge for the US SDOs is to develop a balance between the uses of world harmonized standards and American core standards. The United States Department of Commerce has designated the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as the main coordination organization for voluntary, peer reviewed consensus standards development in the United States. ANSI is the United States' voting representative in both the IEC and ISO organizations. ANSI was given the mandate to develop the United States Standards Strategy. ANSI works in conjunction with all standards development organizations in the United States, which have been recognized and accredited by that organization.