The United States Standards Strategy (USSS) is America’s blueprint for standards leadership, guiding how the U.S. develops standards and participates in international standardization. Developed by ANSI with input from a diverse cross-section of stakeholders from industry, government, standards developing organizations, consortia, consumer groups, and academia, the strategy provides a vision for the future of a U.S. standards system that supports American competitiveness, innovation, health and safety, security, and global trade.
The United States Standards Strategy 2025 represents the most significant revision since the strategy’s inception in 2000, addressing an unprecedented convergence of challenges and opportunities:
Launched in January 2026, this update was shaped by extensive input from across the U.S. standardization community solicited throughout 2025.
The strategy sharpens focus on four strategic objectives that mobilize America’s private-sector-led standards system:
DOWNLOAD: United States Standards Strategy 2025
DOWNLOAD: Frequently Asked Questions
DOWNLOAD: Summary of Comments Received on USSS Open Comment Period
See companion document: U.S. Conformity Assessment Principles 2025
ANSI is committed to turning the USSS vision into reality. The strategy’s approval by the ANSI Board of Directors on December 10, 2025, marked the beginning of an ambitious implementation phase.
The strategy’s success depends on action across the entire standards ecosystem. Every organization—from startups to global corporations, from standards developers to government agencies—has a role in securing U.S. standards leadership. We encourage you to:
Alongside the USSS, the United States Conformity Assessment Principles (USCAP) provides guidance on demonstrating that specified requirements are fulfilled. Standards and conformity assessment work hand-in-hand: standards define requirements, and conformity assessment provides confidence that products, services, and systems meet those requirements.
The 2025 edition of the USCAP has been updated to reflect the evolving conformity assessment landscape, including the growing role of digital technologies and the importance of international recognition.
DOWNLOAD: United States Conformity Assessment Principles 2025
The first National Standards Strategy for the United States (NSS) was published in 2000, affirming U.S. commitment to a sector-based, private-sector-led approach to voluntary standardization. The strategy established a framework built on consensus, openness, and transparency while emphasizing speed, relevance, and meeting diverse stakeholder needs.
In 2005, recognizing globalization and the need for standards that transcend national borders, the document was renamed the United States Standards Strategy.
The strategy is updated every five years through collaboration among industry, government, standards organizations, and other stakeholders, with each edition reflecting technological advancements, industry growth areas, and evolving national and international priorities.Phone:
202.331.3610
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