American National Standards Institute

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private, non-profit organization that serves as the administrator and coordinator of the U.S. voluntary standards and conformity assessment system. Established in 1918, ANSI's core mission is to enhance the global competitiveness of U.S. businesses and improve the quality of life in the United States by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, while safeguarding their integrity. The Institute maintains its headquarters in Washington, D.C., with an operations office located in New York City.

ANSI does not develop standards itself; instead, it oversees the development and use of standards by accrediting the procedures of standards developing organizations (SDOs) and approving American National Standards (ANS). The organization also accredits bodies that perform product or personnel certification. ANSI plays a crucial role in coordinating U.S. standards with international standards, serving as the official U.S. representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and, via the U.S. National Committee (USNC), to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Its activities span nearly every sector, including technology, manufacturing, telecommunications, energy, healthcare, construction, and financial services.

In recent leadership news, Laurie E. Locascio, Ph.D., was named President and CEO, effective January 2025. ANSI continues to be active in current industry priorities, having recently partnered for World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development 2026 and launched a multi-phase initiative in April 2026 to strengthen U.S. coordination on critical minerals standards. The Institute also published the 2025 edition of the United States Standards Strategy (USSS) and the 4th edition of the United States Conformity Assessment Procedures. ANSI's New York City operations office relocated in July 2024. The organization remains a strong voice for the U.S. voluntary standards community, fostering the potential of standards for businesses and consumers globally.