Some organizations have considerable experience in this field, particularly the organizations whose main experience lies in the domain of preparing model building codes. Some other SDOs have experience in working closely with government agencies who are interested in using voluntary consensus standards in order to expedite their responsibilities as well as accelerate industry compliance. The passage of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 resulted in the enactment of Public Law 104-113. Now more federal agencies will be prompted to look to accredited standards developers for technical references in their regulatory activities. This effect will filter down to state and local government agencies as well.
Government is now one of the principal users of consensus standards.
The key to achieving greater recognition of consensus standards by government agencies is the preparation of documents in a manner and form that fulfills the public's needs. This ANSI Guide has been prepared to address these needs. In this context, a standard is a document containing a prescribed set of rules, conditions, or requirements concerning vocabulary, classification of components, specification of materials, performance or operations, delineation of procedures, or measurement of quantity or quality in describing materials, products, systems, services, or practices. A standard may be voluntary or mandatory. A standard is considered voluntary if it is developed voluntarily, and if its subsequent use is voluntary.