Introduction to Standards Development lll

Module Summary: International Standards Development 

This module examines the international standards development landscape, with a focus on key organizations, methodologies, and the mechanisms through which the United States contributes to global standardization. Participants will explore major international standards bodies—such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)—and the roles they play in creating harmonized technical documents that support global trade, innovation, and regulatory compliance.

The module addresses the differing philosophies and approaches that countries and regions bring to standards writing, including variations in consensus-building, technical rigor, and stakeholder representation. Special focus is given to the ISO standards development process, highlighting its structured procedures, stages of development, and opportunities for stakeholder input. Additionally, the course outlines how the U.S. participates in international standards work, often through ANSI-accredited Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs), and discusses how organizations can effectively contribute to this process to influence outcomes at the global level.

Learning Objectives:

In this module, students will learn how to:

• Identify the major international standards development organizations and their areas of influence.

• Compare different global philosophies and methodologies for developing standards.

• Describe the ISO standards development process, including its key stages and decision-making structure.

• Explain the role of the United States and ANSI in shaping international standards through formal and informal mechanisms.

• Develop strategies for effective organizational involvement in global standards-setting to support technical leadership and market alignment.