What is the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)?

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) supervises the creation and dissemination of United States business norms and standards. 

ANSI is a nonprofit and private organization that doesn't develop standards but controls voluntary standards creation for various manufacturing products, services, personnel, systems, and processes in almost all United States business sectors. 

Additionally, it works to make sure that U.S. standards are consistent with foreign standards enabling United States products to be sold and utilized abroad.

What Does the American National Standards Institute Do?

The American National Standards Institute makes available accreditation for standards which were developed by other companies, government agencies, consumer groups, standards organizations, and other bodies. 

The work of ANSI is obvious in standardized definitions and terminologies, consistent makeup, as well as, the performance of goods, and in how consistent products are tested. 

ANSI refers to itself as "the voice of the U.S. standards and conformity assessment system." 

ANSI 's mission includes the following: "To improve both the worldwide competitiveness of U.S. business, as well as, the U.S. life quality by promoting and also facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, and finally, protecting their integrity." 

ANSI's membership comprises over 270,000 companies, as well as, organizations, and more than 30 million experts in companies, organizations, government agencies, individuals, academic and international bodies. For more, check ANSI's website, www.ansi.org.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Certifications

In addition to ANSI's role in standardization promotion, it works to give accreditation to organizations providing products or personnel certification. 

ANSI is an active participant in the accreditation programs which oversee those standards, with the inclusion of ISO 14000 (environmental) and ISO 9000 (quality) management systems. 

Under the supervision of ANSI, Accredited Standards Committee X9 (ASC X9) manages the global financial services industry. 

Furthermore, it's responsible for every financial-service standards in the United States. 

In that capacity, ASC X9 plays a major role in introducing new banking technologies. 

Instances include standards for electronic and paper checks, credit card magnetic stripes, and also ATM cards. 

The American Bankers Association (ABA) provides administrative support for ASC X9 standards.