ASA Standards Guidelines and Resources

The governing bodies of ASA and the Acoustical Society of America Committee on Standards (ASACOS) are responsible for providing leadership and guidance for the ASA Standards program supporting the development and publication of acoustical standards and technical reports both nationally and in parallel with international standards organizations. These guidelines and resources are meant to assist in the roles, responsibilities, authority and processes for ASA standards work.
National Guidelines and ResourcesDescription
Accredited Standards Committee Operating ProceduresProcedures under which ASACOS operates and members and observers are required to comply with.
Acoustical Terminology DatabaseProvides definitions for a wide variety of terms, abbreviations, and letter symbols used in acoustics and electroacoustics.
ANSI Consumer Participation FundFinancial resources to support consumer participation in the development of standards, with a primary focus on health and safety standards.
ANSI Essential RequirementsThese requirements apply to activities related to the development of consensus for approval, revision, reaffirmation, and withdrawal of American National Standards (ANS).
ANSI National Adoption ProceduresAny Working Group wishing to adopt an ISO or IEC standard must follow these and the Accredited Standards Committee Operating Procedures.
ANSI Procedures for the Registration of Technical Reports with ANSIRegistration of Technical Reports with ANSI is vital to encourage widespread use and acceptance of the Technical Report and its related American National Standard.
ANSI Training Courses and WebinarsANSI offers an array of training courses on various aspects of the standardization system, including an introduction to the system and the value of getting involved.
ASA Standards Balloting FAQsThis FAQs document helps troubleshoot any ballot voting issues via ASA Standards’ online balloting system.
ASACOS Editorial GuidelinesASACOS Rules for Preparation of American National Standards.
ASACOS Operating ProceduresSets the policy and manages the activities and development and publication of standards in acoustics and vibration.
Citing Standards Examples for use in standards (normative references, bibliography references) and in technical publications.
Guide to Participation in the ASA Standards ProgramOverview of ASA Standards program to familiarize organizational roles and responsibilities of membership.
Guidelines for ANSI Accredited S Committee working GroupsProvide an understanding of our structure, the policies that govern the work we do, and the processes by which ASA develops and maintain standards.
Guidelines for ASACOS Nominating CommitteeGuidance in the role and responsibilities with appointments of representatives (and alternates where appropriate) to various Standards committees.
Guidelines for Implementation of the ANSI Patent PolicyAn aid to more efficient and effective standards development in fields that may involve patented technology.
Guidelines for Software to Accompany a StandardProvides guidance and advice when developing software that will accompany a published standard.
History of ASA StandardsThis article recounts the historical development of the ASA Standards Program and provides background information on key developments that have shaped its course, and influenced the direction of the Society itself.
Newly Released StandardsA list of standards recently published in the current year.
Organizational Members Guide to Participation in the ASA Standards ProgramDesigned to familiarize Organizational Members of the four Accredited Standards Committees and the U.S. Technical Advisory Groups (U.S. TAGs) that are administered by ASA with the role and responsibilities of their membership. It will also explain the relationship of the members and the Committees and TAGs within the overall national and international standards development process.
Overview of ANSI/ASA Standards ProgramAn overview of ASA’s standards program is provided including structure and roles. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accreditation and the US voluntary consensus process are also described in this paper.
Permission Request for Reuse of ASA Copyrighted MaterialOnline form for requesting permission to reuse ASA copyrighted material.
Permission on Granting Permission to Reprint ASA Standards MaterialTypes of and limitations on permissions ASA grants for the reuse or reprinting of its copyrighted material.
Procedures for the Registration of Technical Reports with ANSIANSI procedures Registration of Technical Reports
Project Initiation Notice (PINS)Used to notify ANSI that an ASA working group is initiating a project (for new or revised standards).
PINS ExplainedThis explains what the ANSI Project Initiation System is. It further explains the sections required be completed, and how to complete those sections.
Proposal for Development of New StandardRequirement for proposing a new standard.
Robert’s Rules of OrderA guide to smooth, orderly, and fairly conducted meetings.
Working Group Chair FAQsRoles, responsibilities, membership, meetings, standards development, and maintenance of standards are addressed.
International Guidelines and ResourcesDescription
ANSI International ProceduresProvide a mechanism for development and coordination for positions developed by ANSI-Accredited U.S. TAGs to ISO for U.S. interests.
ANSI Procedures for the National Adoption of ISO and IEC Standards as American National StandardsANSI accredited standards developers wishing to adopt an ISO or IEC standard as an American National Standard that constitutes an identical or modified adoption must review and follow these procedures.
ANSI Policy Regarding Rights to Nationally Adopt IEC and ISO Standards or Otherwise Use IEC and ISO MaterialOutlines ISO or IEC copyright of ISO or IEC documents as well as the delegation of exploitation rights to ISO member bodies and IEC National Committees respectively, including distribution and national adoption.
IEC Code of Conduct for Technical WorkAn obligation for participation in IEC management and committees and their subgroups that work in the framework of the ISO/IEC Directives and IEC rules.
ISO/IEC Online Standards Development (OSD) PlatformOSD platform information and educational resources compiled by ANSI for US participants of ISO and IEC standards development.
ISO and ISO/IEC GuidesInformation that provides guidance and advice to standards writers and national standards bodies.
ISO Directives and PoliciesDefines the basic procedures to be followed in the development of International Standards and other publications.
ISO Code of Ethics and ConductFramework for expected behavior of persons acting for or on behalf of ISO, including TAG members and observers.
Learning Courses for Current and New USNC TAG and IEC ExpertsLearning hub with updated resources, modules, and expert-led webinars.
My ISO Job – What Delegates and Experts Need to KnowA quick reference to the ISO system and its processes for delegates and experts.
Operating Procedures for USNC/IEC Technical Advisory Group for IEC/TC29Procedures for representing and coordinating U.S. involvement in IEC standardization.
Operating Procedures for the ANSI Accredited U.S. TAGs to ISO/TC 108, ISO/TC 108/SC 2, ISO/TC 108/SC 4, ISO/TC 108/SC 5, ISO/TC 43, ISO/TC 43/SC 1 and ISO/TC 43/SC 3Procedures for representing and coordinating U.S. involvement in ISO standardization.
Opportunities for International Liaison – Acoustical Standards in the New MillenniumDiscusses national/international adoption, harmonization, and liaison approaches, plus ASA–ANSI–international relationships.
Model Operating Procedures for USNC Technical Advisory Groups (USNC TAGs)Procedures covering membership, meetings, and voting to ensure balance in developing U.S. positions for IEC standards.
USNC Expert Appointment FormA USNC TAG member wishing to be appointed by the U.S. as an expert must submit this form and a CV to ASATAG.TC@acousticalsociety.org.
US TAG Member Participation in ISOANSI FAQs for US TAG members and leaders regarding ISO participation.