Dear colleagues,
As we near the end of another unusual and challenging year, I sincerely hope you are enjoying the holiday season with family and friends, and looking to the New Year optimistically.
I am proud to share my confidence in the strength of ANSI and our members in driving progress in the days ahead.
Just last week, ANSI’s Board of Directors approved strategic priorities that will guide the Institute’s work in 2022 and beyond.
The priorities span many initiatives that ANSI will pursue on behalf of the standardization community and the nation, but I’d like to bring you up to speed on a just few with the broadest impact.
Effective Engagement in International Standardization: As Vital as Ever
It has become crystal clear that standardization activities are growing rapidly across nearly all industries and sectors. To keep pace, we must prioritize attracting new participants and building the capacity of standards professionals at all levels to ensure continued effective U.S. participation in international arenas. This goal has also gained traction on the Hill and within the Administration, and in the months ahead, ANSI will work to expand public-private partnerships on standards-related education and training.
U.S. leadership in international standards forums is also essential, because it allows us to ensure the integrity of the process – assuring a level playing field, open participation, and consensus – and standards that are globally relevant. To carry this message forward, especially to those on the Hill, ANSI is developing fact-based messaging to communicate the positive impact of our system and U.S. engagement in international standardization.
On the Cutting Edge: Support for Emerging Markets
In areas where trade issues arise and the lines between sectors begin to blur, public-private partnerships are more important than ever. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently engaged ANSI in a year-long Intergovernmental Personnel Agreement. A senior manager within ANSI’s Standards Facilitation department will assist the agency in identifying new areas of work in emerging technology areas that are being considered by ISO, IEC, ITU, and other standards-setting bodies. This is the first time ANSI has been requested to enter into such an agreement with a federal agency, and we are proud to contribute.
As cross-cutting technologies advance, industries are moving toward greater digitalization. The fusion of digital services and physical products is revolutionizing global economies, but also revealing concerns in the
application of existing international trade principles. In a recent white paper, ANSI’s joint NPAG-IPAG Task Force on Conformity Assessment found that establishing or reaffirming the coverage of internationally
recognized principles related to regulatory convergence and standardization will help minimize divergent approaches. At the recommendation of the task force, ANSI will work with members to raise awareness of this
issue and develop an inventory of relevant new regulatory requirements. We’ll also take steps to build consensus on an advocacy position that can be shared with domestic and international partners.
Many thanks to John Kulick, who led this activity prior to his retirement earlier this year, and to Ajit Jillavenkatesa, for his dedicated leadership as the current task force chair.
Speaking of greater digitalization, ANSI remains committed to contributing to the development and harmonization of SMART standards across IEC and ISO and fostering information exchange among ISO, IEC,
and ANSI-accredited standards developing organizations on effective and innovative approaches to standards development.
Get Engaged: Globally, Locally, Virtually
In support of global trade and economic development, we’re enhancing the reach and scope of our international development programs. Looking ahead to 2022 and beyond, we’re creating opportunities for our members to engage in activities that will open market access and foster strategic partnerships for U.S. industry, with planning already underway for workshops across the Indo-Pacific, Latin America, Africa, China, and Korea. From COVID response and recovery and medical devices to wireless technologies, digital trade, energy, and more – we are committed to mobilizing action in areas of tremendous impact to communities at home and around the globe.
We’re also planning exciting issue-based forums on topics of great interest like forensics, copyright/trademark infringement, and workforce development. And stay tuned for the next in the Organizational Member Forum’s (OMF)
virtual series on hybrid meetings, first launched during our fall 2021 virtual World Standards Week. Kudos to the OMF chair and vice-chair, Ed Mikoski and Sara Yerkes,
for their vision in bringing this series to life, and helping the community address the challenges and opportunities posed by virtual and hybrid meetings.
In every activity we undertake, and in all we hope to achieve in the years ahead, there would be no success without the dedicated, collaborative work of our members, governance leaders, partners, volunteers, experts, and stakeholders. Thank you all for your active contributions and support.
On behalf of ANSI, I wish you a safe and joyful holiday season and health, happiness, and success in 2022.
Best regards,
Joe Bhatia
|
