American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a nonprofit organization that oversees the development of standards for products, services, processes, and systems in the United States. The organization also coordinates U.S. standards with international standards so that American products can be used worldwide. For example, the ANSI standards make sure that people who own cameras can find the film they need for them in countries throughout the world.
The American National Standards Institute approves standards that are developed by trade associations, professional societies, government agencies, consumer organizations, companies, and other individuals and groups. These standards make sure that the characteristics and performance of products are consistent, that people use the same definitions and terms, and that products are tested the same way. The ANSI also endorses many certification programs, which seek to ensure that people working in various fields are fully qualified and properly trained.
In 1918, five engineering societies and three government agencies founded the American Engineering Standards Committee (AESC). The AESC became the American Standards Association (ASA) in 1928. In 1966, the ASA was reorganized and became the United States of America Standards Institute (USASI). The present name was adopted in 1969. The organization’s headquarters are in Washington, D.C. For more information, see its website at www.ansi.org.
