OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS
Visit turfmutt.com to learn more
Standards Development
The OPEI standards development process is anchored by two factors: dedicated professionals from member companies AND robust procedures. Each current American National Standard (ANS) is maintained by a member-led standing committee operating under strict procedures to achieve full antitrust compliance, consensus, and maintenance of member due process rights. OPEI technical committees are focused on ANS maintenance, but also function as the Institute’s forums and outside liaison in many critical topic areas, including: Product safety, Regulatory compliance, and International representation.
The OPEI committees are chaired by member company representatives, nominated and elected by a majority of his or her peers, and subject to regular rotation. The committees meet regularly and are open to all OPEI members. All committee activities are governed by the OPEI’s Operating Guidelines for Technical Committees.
A listing of OPEI committees can be found on the Committees Page.
The ANS Development/Maintenance Process
OPEI committees are responsible for the continued maintenance of their respective ANS, which are typically subject to a 5-year review process when they are either reaffirmed, revised or withdrawn. Each committee is also charged with the consideration and development of new standards for their respective product sector, if deemed necessary by the membership.
OPEI technical committees are responsible for the drafting of all standards, and revision to existing standards, before a draft is circulated through the ANSI canvass process. The ANSI canvass method is used to assure that all OPEI standards are open to review and revision by a diverse panel of stakeholders, including consumers, academia, and government. Complete details of OPEI procedures can be found in the OPEI Standards Development Procedures. These same procedures are the basis for the OPEI’s accreditation as an ANSI Standard Development Organization (SDO). OPEI procedures are also subject to regular ANSI audit to assure compliance and continuous improvement.
OPEI as U.S. Technical Advisory Group to ISO
The OPEI is also ANSI-accredited to serve as the U.S. voice in international standards development through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). These activities operate through committees called U.S. Technical Advisory Groups (TAG) which are governed by ANSI guidelines to assure participation by a diverse panel of stakeholders. The TAGs function throughout the year to provide U.S. votes on ISO balloted standards, and also field the team of delegates responsible for representing the U.S. at ISO committee meetings. The U.S. TAGs also have the right to propose new work items, and ultimately new standards, for consideration and publication by the ISO. Complete details of OPEI ISO procedures can be found in the ANSI Procedures for U.S. Participation in the International Standards Activities of ISO.
OPEI-led U.S. TAGs are responsible for:
- ISO Technical Committee (TC) 23 Tractors and machinery for agriculture and forestry
- Subcommittee (SC) 13 Powered lawn and garden equipment
- Subcommittee (SC) 17 Manually portable forest machinery
Details on active working groups, committee leadership, published standards, and meeting dates can be found at www.iso.org.
Key Documents
- OPEI Operating Guidelines for Technical Committees
- OPEI Standards Development Procedures
- ANSI Essential Requirements: Due process requirements for American National Standards (2012)
- ANSI Procedures for U.S. Participation in the International Standards Activities of ISO (2012)
- ISO FAQ for graphics (formats and files) (2002)
- ISO ITSIG specification for the preparation and exchange of graphics (2002)
- Summary of drawings accepted and provided by ISO/CS
- OPEI Procedures U.S. TAG to ISO TC 23/SCs 13 and 17