American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer -- NIST/ITL

Effective November 11, 2022. Replaces the August 4, 2016 edition.

Procedures for the Development 

of American National Standards 

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Information Technology Laboratory

(NIST/ITL)

November 11, 2022
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer -- NIST/ITL

Effective November 11, 2022. Replaces the August 4, 2016 edition.

Page 2 of 14

NIST/ITL Procedures for the Development of American National Standards

1 General

The National Institute of Standards and Technology/Information Technology Laboratory 

(hereafter referred to as NIST/ITL) has developed these procedures for developing 

evidence of consensus for the approval, reaffirmation, revision, or withdrawal of American 

National Standards through the use of a canvass process. In addition to these procedures, 

the latest edition of the ANSI Essential Requirements: Due process requirements for 

American National Standards shall be the final controlling document for all procedural and 

policy issues.

NIST/ITL (and its predecessor organizations) has been accredited by ANSI as a standards 

developer since October 5, 1984 for the following scope of activities: 

"Standards and guidelines for information exchange relating to automatic data 

processing and related systems". 

2 Notification of standards development 

Timely and adequate notice of standards development activity shall be announced in 

media suitable to demonstrate that a meaningful opportunity for participation, debate and 

deliberation by all directly and materially interested parties in a fair and equitable manner 

was provided.

2.1 Project Initiation Notification System (PINS) 

At the initiation of a project to develop or revise an American National Standard, 

notification shall be transmitted by NIST/ITL to ANSI using the Project Initiation Notification 

System (PINS) form for announcement in Standards Action. A PINS form may be 

submitted, but is not required, at the initiation of a project to reaffirm or withdraw an 

American National Standard. Comments received in connection with a PINS 

announcement shall be handled in accordance with the appropriate sections of clause 5.

A statement shall be submitted and published as part of the PINS announcement that shall 

include:

(a) an explanation of the need for the project, including, if it is the case, a statement of 

intent to submit the standard for consideration as an ISO, IEC or ISO/IEC JTC-1 standard; 

and

(b) identification of the stakeholders (e.g., telecom, consumer, medical, environmental, 

etc.) likely to be directly impacted by the standard; and

(c) the interest categories that will or are expected to comprise the consensus body.

If the response to sub-section (b) changes substantively as the standard is developed, a 

revised PINS shall be submitted and published.

If a written request is received for additional information or for the opportunity to discuss 

the proposal from a directly and materially interested outside party or current consensus 

body member, during the 30-day PINS comment period, NIST/ITL shall respond in writing 

within 30 days of the comment deadline.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer -- NIST/ITL

Effective November 11, 2022. Replaces the August 4, 2016 edition.

Page 3 of 14

2.2 Public Review 1

Proposals for new American National Standards and proposals to revise, reaffirm, or 

withdraw approval of existing American National Standards shall be transmitted to ANSI 

using the BSR-8 form, or its equivalent, for listing in Standards Action in order to provide 

an opportunity for public comment. If it is the case, then a statement of intent to submit 

the standard for consideration as an ISO, IEC or ISO/IEC JTC-1 standard shall be included 

as part of the description of the scope summary that is published in Standards Action. The 

comment period shall be one of the following:

a) A minimum of 30 calendar days if the full text of the revision(s) can be published in 

Standards Action; or

b) A minimum of 45 calendar days if the document is available in an electronic format, 

deliverable within one day of a request, and the source (e.g., URL or an E-mail 

address) from which it can be obtained by the public is provided to ANSI for 

announcement in Standards Action; or

c) A minimum of 60 calendar days, if neither of the aforementioned options is 

applicable.

Such listing may be requested at any stage in the development of the proposal, at the 

option of NIST/ITL, and may be concurrent with final balloting. However, any substantive 

change subsequently made in a proposed American National Standard requires listing of 

the change in Standards Action. 

3 Development of canvass list or consensus body

3.1 NIST/ITL shall develop a list of potential canvassees consisting of organizations (e.g., 

companies, government agencies, standards developers, individuals, etc.) known to be, 

or who have indicated that they are, directly and materially affected by the standard. Each 

canvassee shall nominate one principal representative and may nominate one or more 

alternate representatives. No individual shall represent more than one canvassee.

3.2 In order to determine if potential canvassees are interested in participating, NIST/ITL 

shall conduct a pre-canvass interest survey, in which NIST/ITL informs the potential 

canvassees in writing about the use of the canvass method for developing evidence of 

consensus, and, if the potential canvassees are interested in participating, obtains an 

appropriate interest category classification. NIST/ITL's letter shall contain the title, 

designation, scope, description of the standard along with the history of its development, 

purpose and intended application of the standard, and an explanation of the ANSI function. 

The time for response shall be at least 30 calendar days from the date of the NIST/ITL's 

letter and shall be so noted in the letter. 

All those who have agreed to participate shall be included on the canvass list, together 

with their agreed-upon interest categories in accordance with clause 9.3. In addition, the 

 

1 Although a 60-day public comment period is not required in all instances, a number of provisions in the 

ANSI Essential Requirements, when read in combination, satisfy the WTO’s 60-day rule. Before adopting a 

standard, ANSI-Accredited Standards Developers shall allow a period of at least 60 days in total for 

submission of comments on the draft standard if requested by an interested party within the territory of a 

Member of the WTO. Exceptions outlined in the rule are permitted due to issues of safety, health or 

environment. (See WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), Annex 3 Code of Good Practice 

for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards (CGP) Substantive Provision L.)
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer -- NIST/ITL

Effective November 11, 2022. Replaces the August 4, 2016 edition.

Page 4 of 14

affiliation2 and interest category of each member of the consensus body shall be made 

available to interested parties upon request.

Once an interest survey has been completed for a standard, it need not be repeated for 

subsequent balloting of the document. In addition, NIST/ITL may conduct a single interest 

survey for a group or category of standards. A canvassee who has indicated a desire to 

be on the NIST/ITL's canvass list for a particular category or categories of standards shall 

receive the draft document(s), letter ballot(s), and all appropriate information pertaining to 

clauses 4.2 and 5.

The review period shall be 30 calendar days from the date of publication. Any resulting 

proposals for addition to the canvass list shall be referred directly to NIST/ITL.

Additional canvassees may be added by NIST/ITL before the close of the canvass ballot 

period. However, new canvassees shall not be entitled to request any additional 

extensions beyond what is described in clause 4.2.

4 Conduct of canvass

4.1 Initiation of canvass 

NIST/ITL may begin to conduct the canvass at any time after establishment of the 

consensus body.

4.2 Canvass requirements

NIST/ITL shall transmit, at minimum, the following information to all canvassees and 

other interested parties so requesting unless NIST/ITL has previously supplied this 

information:

a) the purpose and intended application of the standard;

b) a brief history and explanation of how the standard was developed;

c) an explanation of ANSI’s function and NIST/ITL’s procedures;

d) a copy of the canvass list, consisting of the name, affiliation, and category of interest 

of each canvassee; 

e) a copy of the complete proposed American National Standard or the relevant portion 

under consideration when the canvassee has previously received the complete 

standard;

f) a call for information on essential patent claims (claims whose use would be required 

for compliance with the requirements in the proposed American National Standard); 

 

2 Affiliation refers to the entity that the consensus body member represents (which may or may 

not be that person’s employer). If the consensus body member is serving in an individual 

capacity, then the name of the individual, that person’s employer and interest category should be 

available. Contact information is not required.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer -- NIST/ITL

Effective November 11, 2022. Replaces the August 4, 2016 edition.

Page 5 of 14

g) a template for providing comments;

h) an official letter ballot.

NIST/ITL shall provide to the canvassee an electronic copy of the document being 

considered, to allow for a speedy determination of position by the canvassee. Should the 

document contain material that is not to be considered for approval as an American 

National Standard, such as an introduction or annex, a clear statement shall be included 

indicating those portions of the standard that are to be considered for approval by ANSI.

The ballot form used by NIST/ITL shall provide opportunity for the canvassee to vote one 

of the following positions:

a) Affirmative;

b) Affirmative, with comment;

c) Negative, with reasons (the reasons for a negative vote shall be given and if possible 

should include specific wording or actions that would resolve the objection);

d) Abstain (with comment).

The ballot form shall include advice that, in order to receive consideration, negative votes 

must be accompanied by supporting written reasons and, where possible, proposals for a 

solution to the problem raised. The ballot form shall provide the option for a canvassee 

who is inactive to indicate that the canvassee no longer wishes to be a voting member. 

Negative votes without any accompanying reason or abstentions without any 

accompanying comment shall be considered invalid responses and shall not be 

considered when determining the numerical requirements for consensus. Such votes 

shall be recorded as "abstain without comment" or "negative without comment" and shall 

be reported to the BSR. 

The canvass ballot duration is 30 calendar days. The canvass ballot may be sooner if all 

canvassees have responded. Upon request from any canvassee giving a legitimate 

reason, a single 15 calendar day extension to the ballot period may be granted. At least 

one follow-up shall be sent to canvassees not responding. NIST/ITL shall send follow-up 

correspondence to those consensus body members who have not yet returned their 

ballots by the end of the twentieth calendar day of the ballot period.

Those not on the canvass list who have a direct and material interest in the standard have 

an opportunity to participate in the review of the standard during the public review process, 

announced in Standards Action. 

4.3 Public review

Proposals for new American National Standards and proposals to revise, reaffirm, or 

withdraw existing American National Standards shall also be transmitted to ANSI for listing 
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer -- NIST/ITL

Effective November 11, 2022. Replaces the August 4, 2016 edition.

Page 6 of 14

in Standards Action for comment. NIST/ITL shall determine whether such listing shall be 

concurrent with the canvass and whether announcement of the proposed action in other 

suitable media is appropriate. 

4.4 Consideration of comments

Views and objections resulting from the canvass and public review shall be dealt with in 

accordance with clause 5.

4.5 Criteria for approval 

Approval of a new standard, revision or reaffirmation of an existing standard, or an 

addendum to part or all of an existing standard shall require approval by at least a majority 

of the canvass list, excluding abstentions and invalid responses, and at least two-thirds of 

those voting, excluding abstentions and invalid responses. 

5 Disposition of views and objections 

Prompt consideration shall be given to the written views and objections of all participants, 

including those commenting on either the PINS announcement or public comment listing 

in Standards Action. 

5.1 PINS announcement comments

If NIST/ITL receives written comments within 30 calendar days from the publication date 

of a PINS announcement in Standards Action, and said comments assert that a proposed 

standard duplicates or conflicts with an existing American National Standard (ANS) or a 

candidate ANS that has been announced previously in Standards Action, a mandatory 

deliberation of representatives from the relevant stakeholder groups shall be held within 

90 calendar days from the comment deadline. Such a deliberation shall be organized by 

NIST/ITL and the commenter and shall be concluded before NIST/ITL may submit a draft 

standard for public review. If the deliberation does not take place within the 90-calendar 

day period and NIST/ITL can demonstrate that it has made a good faith effort to schedule 

and otherwise organize it, then NIST/ITL may be excused by ANSI from compliance with 

this requirement. The purpose of the deliberation is to provide the relevant stakeholders 

with an opportunity to discuss whether there is a compelling need for the proposed 

standards project. 

The outcome of a PINS deliberation shall be conveyed in writing (the “Deliberation 

Report”) within 30 calendar days after the conclusion of the deliberation by NIST/ITL to 

the commenter and to ANSI. Upon submission of the Deliberation Report, NIST/ITL may 

continue with the submission of the draft standard for public review. If additional 

deliberations take place, they should not delay the submission of the draft for public 

review, and an updated Deliberation Report shall be conveyed within 30 calendar days 

after each deliberation. Any actions agreed upon from the deliberations shall be carried 

out in a reasonably timely manner, but normally should not exceed 90 days following the 

deliberation. Subsequently, NIST/ITL shall include all of the Deliberation Report(s) with 

the BSR-9 submittal to the ANSI Board of Standards Review (BSR) for consideration 

should NIST/ITL ultimately submit the subject standard to ANSI for approval. Stakeholders 

who were involved in the PINS deliberation process may also file separate Deliberation 

Report(s) with ANSI and NIST /ITL within 30 calendar days after conclusion of any
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer -- NIST/ITL

Effective November 11, 2022. Replaces the August 4, 2016 edition.

Page 7 of 14

deliberation for consideration by the BSR, if the standard is submitted to ANSI for approval.

5.2 Public review and consensus body comments

In connection with an objection articulated during a public comment period, or submitted 

in connection with a vote, an effort to resolve all expressed objections shall be made, and 

each objector shall be advised in writing of the disposition of the objection and the reasons 

therefore. If resolution is not achieved, the objector shall be informed in writing of the right 

to appeal and that an appeals process exists (see clause 7). In addition, each objection 

resulting from public review or submitted by a member of the consensus body, and which 

is not resolved (see definition in Annex A) must be reported to the BSR.

NIST/ITL may consider any comments received subsequent to the closing of the public 

review and comment period, or shall consider them at the next review.

Each unresolved objection with the attempt at resolution and any substantive change (see 

definition in Annex A) made in a proposed American National Standard shall be reported 

to the consensus body, along with a 30 calendar day recirculation ballot in order to afford 

all voting members an opportunity to respond, reaffirm or change their vote. There is no 

obligation by voting members to return the recirculation ballot unless the voting members 

wish to change their original vote. If the recirculation ballot is not returned, the original 

vote stands. 

Substantive changes made in a proposed American National Standard shall be listed in 

Standards Action. 

Timely comments that are not related to the proposal under consideration shall be 

documented and considered in the same manner as submittal of a new proposal. The 

submitter of the comments shall be so notified.

6 Submittal of standard

Upon completion of the procedures for canvass, for disposition of views and objections, 

and for appeals, the proposed standard may be submitted to ANSI for approval. The 

information to be supplied to ANSI shall include: 

a) title and designation of the proposed American National Standard;

b) indication of the type of action requested (that is, approval of a new American 

National Standard or reaffirmation, revision, or withdrawal of an existing American 

National Standard);

c) a declaration that applicable procedures were followed;

d) a declaration that the proposed standard is within the scope of the previously 

registered standards activity;

e) a declaration that conflicts with another American National Standard have been 

addressed in accordance with these procedures; 

f) a roster of the consensus body that indicates: the vote of each member including 

abstentions and unreturned ballots, if applicable; the interest category of each 

member; and a summary thereof; 
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer -- NIST/ITL

Effective November 11, 2022. Replaces the August 4, 2016 edition.

Page 8 of 14

g) a declaration that all appeal actions related to the approval of the proposed 

standard have been completed;

h) a declaration that the criteria contained in the ANSI patent policy have been met,

if applicable; and

i) identification of all unresolved negative views and objections, with names of the 

objector(s), and a report of attempts toward resolution.

7 Appeals

Parties who have directly and materially affected interests and who have been or may be 

adversely affected by a procedural action or inaction of NIST/ITL shall have the right to 

appeal.

NIST/ITL shall provide or arrange for an impartial appeals body composed of at least three 

individuals knowledgeable as to the policy or other concerns related to the appeal. Such 

individuals must not have demonstrably real or apparent conflicts of interest with the 

subject of the appeal or the person filing the appeal.

7.1 Complaint

The appellant shall file a written complaint with NIST/ITL3 within 30 calendar days after 

the date of notification of action or at any time with respect to inaction. The complaint shall 

state the nature of the objection(s) including any adverse effects, the clause(s) of these 

procedures or the standard that is at issue, actions or inactions that are at issue, and the 

specific remedial action(s) that would satisfy the appellant’s concerns. Previous efforts to 

resolve the objection(s) and the outcome of each shall be noted.

7.2 Response

Within 30 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, NIST/ITL shall respond in writing 

to the appellant, specifically addressing each allegation of fact in the complaint to the 

extent of the respondent’s knowledge.

7.3 Hearing

If the appellant and the respondent are unable to resolve the written complaint informally 

in a manner consistent with these procedures, the NIST/ITL shall schedule a hearing with 

an appeals panel on a date agreeable to all participants, giving at least 10 working days 

notice. Hearings are typically conducted via teleconference. Alternatives to a 

teleconference may be considered. 

7.4 Appeals panel

 3 National Institute of Standards and Technology

Information Technology Laboratory

Attn: Diane Stephens, ANSI/NIST/ITL Standards Project Leader 

Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8940

biometrics-editor@nist.gov 
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer -- NIST/ITL

Effective November 11, 2022. Replaces the August 4, 2016 edition.

Page 9 of 14

The appeals panel shall consist of three individuals who have not been directly involved 

in the matter in dispute, and who are not be materially or directly affected by any decision 

made or to be made in the dispute. At least two members shall be acceptable to the 

appellant and at least two shall be acceptable to the respondent. 

7.5 Conduct of the hearing

The appellant has the burden of demonstrating adverse effects, improper actions or 

inactions, and the efficacy of the requested remedial action. The respondent has the 

burden of demonstrating that the consensus body and NIST/ITL took all actions in 

compliance with these procedures and that the requested remedial action would be 

ineffective or detrimental. Each party may adduce other pertinent arguments, and 

members of the appeals panel may address questions to individuals. Robert’s Rules of 

Order (Scott, Foresman and Company, 2000) shall apply to questions of parliamentary 

procedure for the hearing not covered herein.

7.6 Decision

The appeals panel shall render its decision in writing within 30 calendar days, stating 

findings of fact and conclusions, with reasons therefore, based on a preponderance of the 

evidence presented to the appeals panel. Consideration shall be given to the following 

positions, among others, in formulating the decision:

a) Finding for the appellant, remanding the action to the consensus body or NIST/ITL with 

a specific statement of the issues and facts in regard to which fair and equitable action 

was not taken;

b) Finding for the respondent, with a specific statement of the facts that demonstrate fair 

and equitable treatment of the appellant and the appellant’s objections;

c) Finding that new, substantive evidence has been introduced, and remanding the entire 

action to the consensus body or NIST/ITL for appropriate reconsideration.

A summary of the nature of the appeal, and the decision and rationale thereof, shall be 

reported by NIST/ITL to the canvass list.

8 Requests for interpretation of standards

8.1 Requesting a technical interpretation

Request for a technical interpretation of a standard shall be submitted in writing to 

NIST/ITL4. 

A request for technical interpretation shall contain the following information:

 

4 National Institute of Standards and Technology

Information Technology Laboratory

Attn: Diane Stephens, ANSI/NIST/ITL Standards Project Leader 

Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8940

biometrics-editor@nist.gov 
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer -- NIST/ITL

Effective November 11, 2022. Replaces the August 4, 2016 edition.

Page 10 of 14

a) Name of organization submitting request;

b) Name of individual within the submitting organization who may be contacted concerning 

the request;

c) Date by which interpretation is desired;

d) Appropriate references to the standard's clauses that have a bearing on the problem 

cited in the request;

e) A concise explanation of the problem requiring a technical interpretation;

f) Any supporting documentation that will assist in understanding or describing the 

problem;

g) Any recommendations the requesting organization would like to make concerning a 

possible technical interpretation, along with appropriate justification or comments.

8.2 Processing a request for technical interpretation

Upon receipt, NIST/ITL shall develop a draft proposed technical interpretation to the 

request in consultation with persons recognized as expert in the particular subject matter 

of the interpretation request.

Upon completion of the proposed technical interpretation, NIST/ITL shall:

a) Arrange for publication of the proposed technical interpretation (or a source from which 

to obtain it) in Standards Action and forward it to the members of the canvass list which 

approved the standard.

b) Notify the requester of the proposed technical interpretation.

Comments received as a result of the publication and review of the proposed technical 

interpretation shall be reviewed by NIST/ITL, as well as the initial expert consultants, and

NIST/ITL shall develop a final interpretation.

8.3 Dissemination of final technical interpretations

NIST/ITL shall be responsible for the dissemination of the final technical interpretation.

The final technical interpretation shall consist of the following information:

a) Definition of the problem being resolved;

b) Discussion of the issues relevant to the problem;

c) Discussion of the solution to the problem (interpretation);

d) Effective date of the technical interpretation.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer -- NIST/ITL

Effective November 11, 2022. Replaces the August 4, 2016 edition.

Page 11 of 14

The final interpretation shall be disseminated as follows: publication in Standards Action; 

in writing to the members of the canvass list, which approved the standard; in writing to 

the requester; others as deemed appropriate.

NIST/ITL shall maintain a central registry of technical interpretations for reference.

Revisions to the standard resulting from requests for interpretations shall be processed in 

accordance with these procedures.

9 Participation and membership 

9.1 Lack of dominance 

Any single interest category, individual or organization shall not dominate the standards 

development process. Dominance means a position or exercise of dominant authority, 

leadership, or influence by reason of superior leverage, strength, or representation to the 

exclusion of fair and equitable consideration of other viewpoints.

9.2 Balance

The standards development process should have a balance of interests. Participants 

from diverse interest categories shall be sought with the objective of achieving balance.

No interest category shall be greater than fifty percent of the consensus body. In the 

event that an interest category exceeds fifty percent of the consensus body, NIST/ITL 

shall make at least two independent outreach efforts to other interest categories in an 

effort to maintain the required balance of interests.

9.3 Interest categories

When applying to be a voting member on a canvass list, applicants shall declare their interest 

category in accordance with the following list of interest categories:

User: Users are organizations requiring the standards based product or service to 

accomplish required functions or responsibilities. This category includes organizations that 

capture fingerprints or other biometrics; that perform examinations or comparisons of 

fingerprints or other biometrics; that are responsible for the storage and processing of the 

information; and that plan procurement of systems to capture, store, and process the 

information.

Producer: Producers are manufacturers or vendors who directly manufacture or sell 

equipment, expendable media, and systems, or function as service bureaus to users. This 

category includes, but is not limited to, the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) 

vendors, camera manufacturers, and booking station vendors. 

Consultant: Consultants are organizations that provide advice or system analysis functions 

to other organizations regarding the planning, procurement, and acquisition of equipment, or 

systems. Generally, those classified as consultants have no relationship with their client 

organization other than as a hired contractor.

General Interest: General interests are organizations or individuals who believe that they 

have a direct or material interest in the development of the standards activity but cannot be 
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer -- NIST/ITL

Effective November 11, 2022. Replaces the August 4, 2016 edition.

Page 12 of 14

classified in any of the other categories. For example, universities or other research-oriented 

groups may be classified in this category. Another example is organizations whose products 

or services are not directly involved in the standards activity but must potentially or directly 

interoperate with such an activity. 

9.4 Termination of voting membership 

Voting members on the canvass list constitute the consensus body and have an obligation 

to vote and return ballots on time. Failure to return two consecutive ballots shall result in 

termination of voting membership by NIST/ITL.

10 Coordination and harmonization 

In accordance with the latest edition of the ANSI Essential Requirements: Due process 

requirements for American National Standards, good faith efforts shall be made by

NIST/ITL to resolve potential conflicts between and among existing American National 

Standards and candidate American National Standards. 

11 Compliance with ANSI patent policy 

NIST/ITL shall comply with the ANSI Patent Policy in the latest edition of the ANSI 

Essential Requirements: Due process requirements for American National Standards. 

12 Compliance with ANSI antitrust policy

NIST/ITL shall comply with the ANSI Antitrust Policy in the latest edition of the ANSI 

Essential Requirements: Due process requirements for American National Standards. 

13 Commercial terms and conditions

NIST/ITL shall comply with the ANSI Commercial Terms and Conditions Policy 

contained in the latest edition of the ANSI Essential Requirements: Due process 

requirements for American National Standards. 

14 Metric usage policy

All American National Standards developed by NIST/ITL shall specify any units of 

measurement using the International System of Units (SI). In addition to SI units, US 

Customary Engineering Units (e.g., inch, pound) may be also used if deemed to be helpful

based upon common existing practice. 

15 Copyright 

Standards developed and approved by ANSI under these procedures shall contain the 

following notice:

This document is a contribution of the National Institute of Standards and 

Technology and is not subject to copyright. Any organization interested in 

reproducing [insert standard number and title] is free to do so. However there shall 

be no alteration to any of the material contained in the document.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer -- NIST/ITL

Effective November 11, 2022. Replaces the August 4, 2016 edition.

Page 13 of 14

16 Records retention policy

Records shall be retained for one complete standards cycle, or until the standard is 

revised.

 

Records concerning withdrawals of all American National Standards shall be retained for 

at least five years from the date of withdrawal or for a duration consistent with the audit 

schedule.

17 Maintenance of standards 

NIST/ITL shall follow the ANSI requirements for periodic maintenance of a standard in 

the latest edition of the ANSI Essential Requirements: Due process requirements for 

American National Standards. 

18 Withdrawal of a standard 

Withdrawal of an existing standard, or an addendum to part or all of an existing standard 

shall require approval by at least a majority of the canvass list, excluding abstentions and 

invalid responses, and at least two-thirds of those voting, excluding abstentions and invalid 

responses. 

If the criteria for withdrawal of an American National Standard are met, NIST/ITL shall 

notify ANSI immediately and the standard shall be withdrawn as an ANS and announced 

in Standards Action. 

19 Discontinuance of a standards project

NIST/ITL may abandon the processing of a proposed new or revised American National 

Standard or portion thereof if it has followed its accredited procedures. A written 

justification for such an action shall be made available upon receipt of any written request 

received by NIST/ITL within 60 calendar days of the date of the final action.

Appeals of such actions shall be made to the Executive Standards Council based on 

procedural noncompliance.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer -- NIST/ITL

Effective November 11, 2022. Replaces the August 4, 2016 edition.

Page 14 of 14

Annex A: Definitions (normative)

Consensus body: The group that approves the content of a standard and whose vote 

demonstrates evidence of consensus.

In Writing: Communication sent by either mail or electronic mail (email).

Resolved: A negative vote cast by a member of the consensus body or a comment 

submitted as a result of public review where the negative voter agrees to change his/her 

vote or the negative commenter accepts the proposed resolution of his/her comment.

Substantive Change: A substantive change in a proposed American National Standard 

is one that directly and materially affects the use of the standard. Examples of substantive 

changes are:

• “shall” to “should” or “should” to “shall”;

• addition, deletion or revision of requirements, regardless of the number of 

changes;

• addition of mandatory compliance with referenced standards.

Unresolved: Either (a) a negative vote submitted by a consensus body member or (b) 

written comments, submitted by a person during public review expressing disagreement 

with some or all of the proposed standard, that have not been satisfied and/or withdrawn 

after having been addressed according to the developer’s approved procedures.