Approved by the Infrastructure and Research Policy Committee on January 28, 2021
Approved by the Public Policy and Practice Committee on May 5, 2021
Adopted by the Board of Direction on July 16, 2021

Policy

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) encourages broader participation by the United States (U.S.) in the development of international codes and standards and the adoption of relevant provisions in the domestic codes and standards while supporting, maintaining, and strengthening the existing domestic standards development system.  

ASCE supports the development and standardization of international codes and standards where possible. ASCE advocates for:

  • The revision of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards if and where the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/ U.S. standards provide improved health, safety, and welfare provisions. 
  • The revision or development of new ANSI/U.S. standards appropriate for domestic use where ISO standards provide improved health, safety, and welfare provisions.

Issue

As the United States strives to maintain a strong competitive position in the international marketplace, compatibility among domestic and international codes and standards is essential. Goods and services of the architectural/engineering/construction (A/E/C) industries are exported, imported, marketed, and regulated through the use of codes and standards.  

When U.S. construction products and services fail to meet other national and international standards or are unable to demonstrate the ability to meet those standards, there are resulting barriers that may impede the export of U.S. products and services. U.S. producers should actively pursue policies to meet these international standards, and to demonstrate that they are compliant with the relevant certification or code. Associations such as ASCE diligently participate in the development of international codes and standards that fairly evaluate products and services regardless of country of origin. ASCE works toward the recognition that compliance with U.S. codes and standards is equivalent to compliance with other internationally recognized codes and standards when such equivalent compliance can be objectively demonstrated.

Rationale

ASCE is a fully accredited standards writing body, an organizational member of ANSI and one of the leading authors of engineering standards. ASCE’s members contribute to ISO's Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) for development of engineering and construction standards. International trade agreements require the U.S. to be open to international products and services that meet internationally accepted standards. In order to improve the acceptance of U.S. technology, construction products, and professional services internationally, and to help improve the standards to better protect the public health, safety, and welfare, the U.S. should be in a position to influence the standardization of domestic and international standards.

ASCE Policy Statement 365

First Approved 1990