Learn about ANSI standards — what they are, how they help organizations make interoperable products and services, and key functions in various industries.
Imagine if every computer used a different set of rules — your keyboard wouldn’t connect to your laptop, and software from one brand wouldn’t run on another. The result? A big mess of useless tech.
To prevent this, organizations like ANSI — the American National Standards Institute — create standardized rules that allow technology to work together smoothly. But what does ANSI stand for, and how do ANSI standards shape the devices and systems that millions rely on every day?
Here, we’ll explain what ANSI is, why ANSI standards matter across different industries, and how they impact businesses and technology worldwide.
What’s ANSI?
ANSI is a nonprofit organization that oversees, accredits, and promotes standards across many industries, including manufacturing, telecommunications, healthcare, and information technology (IT). It facilitates the development of important technology guidelines, such as how computers share data and recognize letters and numbers (like USB connections or file formats).
By reviewing and accrediting industry standards, ANSI helps ensure compatibility, safety, and interoperability across technologies. For example, ANSI guidelines include Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standards and electrical safety codes like ANSI C12 for energy metering and ANSI Z535 for safety signs and labels. Businesses, government agencies, and industry experts can join ANSI to contribute their expertise and help shape these standards.
To maintain consistency across borders, ANSI also collaborates with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to align U.S. standards with global ones.
What Does ANSI Do, and Why’s It Important?
In short, ANSI makes sure products from all over the world can work together.
Without ANSI, something as simple as sending an email from one device to another could result in characters not displaying accurately. But thanks to ANSI standards, different devices can interpret the same letters, numbers, and symbols correctly.
One example of this standardization is the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII), which ANSI formalized as a system for representing letters and numbers in digital systems. Because of ASCII, computers and smartphones can share data without confusion. ANSI’s work also simplifies data transfer between programs, such as converting text into a format that different applications can recognize.
The History of the American National Standards Institute
ANSI has existed for over a century, though it's undergone a few name changes along the way. It started in 1918 as the American Engineering Standards Committee (AESC) and became the American Standards Association (ASA) in 1928.
As global trade expanded, countries recognized the need for international standards. In 1946, ASA joined delegates from 25 countries to establish the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). In 1966, ASA changed its name to the United States of America Standards Institute (USASI), and in 1969, it officially became ANSI.
Today, ANSI represents more than 270,000 companies and 30 million professionals worldwide, working together to develop, improve, and promote standards that ensure technology is reliable and compatible across industries.
5 Key Functions of ANSI
To consumers, ANSI's behind-the-scenes operations are almost invisible, but the institute serves several important functions:
Membership: ANSI provides a platform for companies, universities, nonprofits, and other organizations to help shape industry standards.
U.S. standards: ANSI coordinates and approves standards for the United States, making sure they meet national requirements.
Global standards: ANSI represents the U.S. in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), which influence the development of worldwide standards.
Emerging technology: ANSI works with different organizations, including industry groups and regulatory bodies, to create standards for emerging technologies.
Trade and regulation: ANSI supports businesses in meeting global standards to facilitate international trade and verifies that products comply with regulatory regulations.
Commonly Used
Here are some of the most commonly used ANSI specifications that guide various industries:
ANSI ASC X12
ANSI ASC X12 is awidely used Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standard that facilitates the exchange of business documents like invoices and purchase orders between organizations.
ANSI Z87.1
This standard outlines requirements for eye and face protection devices, playing an important role in workplace safety in industries like manufacturing and construction.
ANSI/ISEA Z358.1
This standard defines emergency eyewash and shower equipment requirements that are vital to workers in hazardous environments.
ANSI/ISEA 107
ANSI/ISEA 107 specifies requirements for high-visibility safety apparel so that workers, especially those exposed to traffic, can be easily seen for safety purposes.
ANSI BIFMA X5.1
This standard sets safety, durability, and performance requirements for office furniture, including chairs and desks.
ANSI Z535
ANSI Z535 establishes guidelines for designing, applying, and using safety signs, labels, and tags to communicate hazards and safety information clearly and effectively.
ANSI Certifications
ANSI does more than accredit standards that ensure products and systems meet industry requirements. It also evaluates organizations and professionals that develop these standards and certifies those that follow best practices. ANSI accreditation demonstrates a commitment to industry-recognized ANSI regulations and helps establish consistency and reliability across sectors.
The ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), a division of ANSI, manages accreditations and certifications across many industries. In addition to evaluating public and private laboratories to confirm they meet international testing and compliance standards, ANAB also oversees programs like ISO/IEC 17024, which certifies professionals in fields such as engineering, safety, healthcare, environmental management, and cybersecurity. These certifications verify that professionals have the skills and knowledge to perform their jobs according to globally recognized standards.
How Orderful Helps You Achieve
If your business relies on software to communicate with suppliers, clients, or partners, it likely follows an ANSI-compliant standard like EDI X12. Orderful’s EDI solution adheres to these same ANSI standards, applying years of expertise to keep your data transfers reliable and your systems connected. Ready to improve your digital communications? Connect with an Orderful EDI expert today to book a demo.
