Expert speakers and stakeholders at the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)'s recent Joint Member Forum (JMF) in Washington, DC, engaged in panel discussions that shed light on new opportunities for standardization growth and collaborative cross-sector engagement. The event was free for all ANSI members - nearly 150 attended - and featured five moderated panel sessions on topics ranging from unmanned aircraft technology to U.S. involvement in China's Standardization Reform.
Part of World Standards Week 2016 on October 24 to October 28, the event captured valuable insights from experts and ANSI members representing companies, organizations, government agencies, and consumer groups who provided ideas for collaborative standards work and conformance solutions applicable to emerging sectors with the potential for global reach.
The five moderated sessions covered the following topics:
China Standardization Reform
Moderated by James E. Matthews III of Corning Incorporated, the final panel offered the latest insights on the overhaul of China's standardization system, a process which ANSI has been closely monitoring, as the reform has significant implications for U.S. stakeholders. One highlight included an update on ANSI's unique workshop held earlier this year, which featured presentations and dialogue with a high-level delegation from the Standardization Administration of China (SAC). [see related story]
Panelists from industry and government discussed how China is looking to use standards to develop their emerging industries, noting that the country has expressed its intention to work with the U.S. with an emphasis on reducing mandatory standards and encouraging market-driven standards development.
Speakers expressed that companies want to participate in China's standardization activities in meaningful ways, but that engagement under SAC's technical committees can be difficult. China's ambitions in standards activities are unlimited, and stakeholders can expect more activities from China promoting service standards. The experts also referenced China's recently launched public online portal [related coverage], which provides information and links related to the country's association standards, and is available in Chinese. There was general agreement that China's efforts to reform its standards system are welcome, and that emphasis on a more coordinated, structured system is a positive step.
See the ANSI in China Newsletter for more information on updates on technical activities, policy decisions, trade matters, and other information of interest to ANSI members operating in or interacting with China.
For full JMF proceedings, including the agenda, presentations, and photos, visit the event webpage.