As part of an ongoing Q&A series with consumer advocates, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) spoke with Mary Ellen R. Fise, chair of ANSI’s Consumer Interest Forum (CIF), about her journey in voluntary standards development and the critical role of consumer representation. Since assuming the chair role in January 2025, she has leveraged over three decades of experience as a consumer advocate, participant, and recruiter across diverse standards activities.
In addition to a prolific consumer-focused law background, Fise has extensive experience in education, research, strategic planning, and non-profit organizational leadership development.
ANSI: When did you first get involved in voluntary standards?
Fise: I first became involved as a consumer representative in voluntary standards proceedings in the late 1980s while serving as general counsel and product safety director of the Consumer Federation of America. I joined ASTM’s Committee F15 on Consumer Products, which was developing standards to address risks associated with various children’s products—cribs, highchairs, strollers, playpens (or play yards), and later walkers, bunk beds, hook-on chairs, toys, and bath seats.
ANSI: How has your experience as a consumer representative in standards development changed over the past three decades?
Fise: At my earliest meetings, I was often the only consumer representative in the room—though I realize that may be the case at some current meetings, as well. I worked closely with Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff, utilizing CPSC injury data as rationale for requirements to assure risks were addressed.
I had no engineering background, but I learned a lot on the fly. Other professionals in standardization and engineering welcomed me. John Preston from CPSC was always helpful in explaining possible test requirements, the relationship between anthropometric data and test requirements, the use of templates in test specifications, and other kinds of technical details that helped me make an impact as I contributed the consumer perspective.
I also recruited other consumer reps to join F15 subcommittees and task groups. Over the years, I’ve worked with and helped mentor some of the early parent consumer advocates, including Linda Ginzel (founder of Kids in Danger) and Jack Walsh (The Danny Foundation).
Obviously, over time, technology has changed many aspects of standards development—like the electronic availability of draft documents and the use of online or hybrid meetings. But in other respects, representing consumers—and making the arguments for protective provisions—hasn’t changed much at all. Consumer reps continue to play a very important role.
ANSI: Following your work in standardization and consumer protection from 1984-2002, you spent many years in consulting and education. In 2023, you returned to the standards community. What brought you back?
Fise: Like many others, I responded to an invitation to get involved! Someone reached out to me personally, and I strongly believe that this is an important and unique aspect of consumer representation in standards development. Most people don’t understand the role of standards in consumer protection, and advocates from consumer groups are often tied up with urgent policy issues. They often lack the time to devote to what can be a lengthy process of developing a standard. We need more consumer folks to get involved, and the personal invite can make a difference.
I also believe in giving back to a community that has the power to bring about change, whether that is addressing a safety issue or assuring consumer protections in the marketplace. Since I work part-time now, I have time to devote to standards development efforts and ANSI’s Consumer Interest Forum, and I’m grateful to be able to participate.
ANSI: What role does ANSI's Consumer Interest Forum play in standards development, and why is it so important?
Fise: ANSI’s Consumer Interest Forum is the umbrella consumer entity within ANSI through which U.S. consumers and consumer groups influence standards and standardization policies—at both the U.S. national and the international levels.
Having this centralized place where consumer representatives can come together is crucial to assuring the ongoing preparation and participation of consumers in standards development. The CIF promotes consumer education in ANSI activities and throughout the standards community, and facilitates the representation of consumer interests in voluntary standards activities. We share information about new standards initiatives where consumer reps are needed, as well as about emerging hazards or consumer challenges, and support collaboration on consumer issues throughout the ANSI Federation.
CIF members are represented across ANSI's governance and advisory groups, including serving on both the ANSI Board of Directors and its Executive Committee. This representation assures that the CIF has the opportunity to bring concerns or issues to the attention of the Board, while also allowing broader CIF involvement in ANSI’s leadership and policy discussions.
Also significant is our role in international standards issues, since the CIF serves as the mirror committee for the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) Committee on Consumer Policy (COPOLCO). CIF representatives participate in ISO COPOLCO working groups, and attend COPOLCO’s annual plenary meeting. We bring the United States perspective to these meetings, participate in the development of COPOLCO consumer guides, and recommend consumer representatives for ISO standards development efforts. At the May 2025 COPOLCO Plenary meeting, we were effective in suggesting language that was included in the COPOLCO resolutions—language that is expected to help shape how consumer topics are addressed within ISO.
ANSI: Do you have any final thoughts on standards and consumer participation you’d like to share with our readers?
Fise: I have three!
First, I’d like to recognize ANSI, ASTM, and UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) for their ongoing strong support of consumer participation in standards development. Their funding, which covers travel and participation/member fees, makes it possible for consumers to participate. We’d love for additional organizations to support our Consumer Participation Fund.
Second, I encourage other organizations to help us spread the word about the positive impact that consensus-developed standards have in benefitting consumer products and services, and, consequently, boosting competitiveness. Please share examples or stories about how consumer participation has impacted the standards proceedings in which you participate.
And third, I also ask any standards development organizations or ANSI committees interested in identifying consumer participants for their standards development work to reach out to Cleo Stamatos, ANSI senior manager of consumer and legislative outreach, at [email protected].
For more information: Visit the Consumer Affairs section of ANSI Online (www.ansi.org/consumer) for additional information about ANSI, the CIF, and ISO COPOLCO.
