The U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day brought together members of the broader U.S. standardization community on October 23 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Rockville, MD. The exhibition and reception recognized the tremendous impact that voluntary codes and standards have on society’s public health and safety.
Each year, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) co-chair the event; IAPMO served as the 2025 administrating organization.
Celebrating “Standards for Public Health and Safety”
The 2025 U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day championed the theme, “Standards for Public Health and Safety.” From the water we drink, to the buildings we inhabit, to the transportation systems we rely on, nearly every aspect of our daily lives is safeguarded by private-sector-led, voluntary standards. World Standards Day 2025 celebrated the dedicated individuals and robust frameworks that make standards for public health and safety a reality in our increasingly complex world.
“Tonight’s theme of “Standards for Public Health and Safety” couldn’t be more timely,” said Laurie Locascio, ANSI president and CEO. “We are living through an era where the pace of change seems to accelerate daily. New technologies emerge, global challenges evolve, and our standards system continues to adapt and rise to meet these demands with remarkable agility. The biggest challenges we face don’t stop at our borders, which is why America’s active leadership in international standardization isn’t just nice to have—it’s absolutely crucial. I’d like to thank all of you. Your presence here tonight reflects our shared commitment to the critical mission of protecting public health and safety.”
Honoring Leadership and 2025 WSD Paper Winners
The event included the presentation of the 2025 Ronald H. Brown Standards Leadership Award to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense Program. WaterSense, a voluntary partnership program sponsored by the EPA, has fostered cooperation among government, industry, and nonprofits to achieve environmental and economic benefits through reduced water consumption and lower utility costs.
The event also included the announcement of the 2025 World Standards Day Paper Competition winners Darlene Welch, national technical director, Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) and Daniela Freeman, senior manager of Standards and Certification Programs, BPI for the submission, “Home Performance Standards: The Building Blocks of Healthy, Safe, and Energy-Efficient Homes."
World Standards Day was initially launched in 1970, and is now celebrated by nations around the globe. U.S. activities are organized annually by a planning committee consisting of representatives from across the standards and conformity assessment community.
For more information, visit www.wsd-us.org.
