New Online Resource for Learning About Standards
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has launched StandardsLearn.org, an online resource providing education and information about standards and conformity assessment activities. 
Visit the site
to find online courses, case studies, and more.
Key Issues Impacting Global Standardization and Conformance
Read a white paper (PDF) from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on the role of standards and conformity assessment in global trade. The paper explores:
- Standards and conformance issues that have an impact on the ability of U.S. industry to conduct global trade
- A U.S. industry perspective on issues for a more effective international standardization system
Shall vs. Should
In this Standards Central article, Cynthia Blumenthal explains the difference between shall and should, two auxiliary verbs commonly used in standards documents.
Read Shall vs. Should.
Donations Needed for U.S. to Host
ISO 9001 Event
Members of the United States Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to ISO/TC 176 are actively fundraising to host the ISO TC 176 Plenary meeting in the U.S. in 2013. This event would benefit the U.S. work on the TAG and heighten awareness of the importance of ISO 9001. The U.S. has not hosted this international meeting in 10 years, and a larger U.S. delegation allows for increased influence in the standard’s development.
TAG 176 formed the U.S. International Standards Connection Fund to help raise a minimum of $100,000 to host the 2013 event.
For more information and to donate visit PayPal.
Clarification of Intent of ISO 14001:2004
At times, the U.S. TAG to TC207 receives formal requests for a "clarification of intent" relating to ISO 14001:2004. These clarifications are available for free viewing and download.
Standards Available from ASQ
Use Knowledge Center Search to find the standard(s) you need, available as hard copies or PDF e-standards. Site licenses are also available for many standards, which allow you to post the standard on your organization's Local Area Network or Intranet.
Some popular standards include:
- ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001-2008: Quality management
systems - Requirements
- Also available in a pocket-sized version and in Spanish
- Technical Corrigendum 1 available for download - ANSI/ASQ Z1.4-2008: Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes
- ANSI/ASQ Z1.9-2008: Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Variables for Percent Nonconforming
- ISO/TS 16949:2009: Quality management systems - Particular requirements for the application of ISO 9001:2008 for automotive production and relevant service part organizations
- SAE T9100 Revision C: AS9100C Quality Management Systems
- ANSI/ISO/ASQ E14001-2004: Environmental management systems - Requirements with guidance for use
- ANSI/ISO/ASQ QE19011S-2008: Guidelines for management systems auditing - U.S. Version with supplemental guidance added
Ask the ASQ Standards Team
Previously asked and answered questions
Also consider posting your question to "Ask A Quality Professional"
Get Involved
Interested in joining a Standards Committee? E-mail us for information.
Already Involved? Enter the ASQ SharePoint Site devoted to standards.
Glossary of Standards Acronyms
Sometimes reading about standards can feel like wading in alphabet soup. Between the WGs and the TCs and ISO and the IEC, it’s easy to get confused.
Here’s a guide to acronyms you’re most likely to encounter.
Standards 101
- What is a standard?
- Why should my company get involved with standards?
- How can I get involved?
- What standards does ASQ sell?
ASQ Articles on Standards
Use Knowledge Center Search to slice and dice your way through articles on standards from Quality Progress and ASQ’s other publications. We’ll get you started with all standards articles in the QP archive.
