The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), in collaboration with ASTM International, welcomed a delegation from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Standardization Organization (GSO) on September 16, 2026, for a learning exchange focused on the U.S. standardization system and ANSI’s role in supporting standards development.
GSO, which develops standards for the six GCC member states and Yemen, sought insight into how the United States sets standardization priorities and coordinates its international engagement. The visit provided an opportunity to share perspectives on how public- and private-sector priorities can inform effective standards strategies.
Program Highlights
A central theme throughout the meeting was the public-private partnership underpinning the U.S. standardization system. Government and industry work together to advance policy objectives, while individual federal agencies determine which standards best support their missions. That partnership informed the session’s discussion of several ongoing initiatives and priorities:
- U.S. Standards Strategy: The program provided an overview of the U.S. Standards Strategy 2025 (USSS), including its focus on active U.S. engagement and leadership in international standardization, grounded in a principles-based, stakeholder-driven system that supports innovation. Implementation priorities discussed included strengthening public-private coordination, supporting high-priority standards meetings in the United States, and reducing participation barriers, particularly for small businesses.
- Participation in ISO: ANSI staff outlined how technical committees, U.S. Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs), and the ANSI ISO Team coordinate national positions, support experts, and promote effective participation in activities of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Education, training, and career-development initiatives are helping prepare the next generation of standards professionals.
- Intellectual Property Rights: The delegation explored the role of patents and copyright in sustaining voluntary consensus standards amid growing demands for public access. Discussions covered the impact of recent court decisions, proposed legislation, and artificial intelligence on licensing, authorship, accuracy, and consensus.
Learn more about ANSI’s International Development Programs.
