Procedures for Development & Implementation of Standards
The NOCSAE Standards Committee follows certain formal procedures for creating, revising, editing, and withdrawing athletic equipment standards.
The American National Standards Institute oversees standards and conformity assessment activities in the US. NOCSAE is an ANSI-accredited National Standards Developer.
To insure fairness, transparency and consensus, NOCSAE’s standards adoption procedures follow the “ANSI Essential Requirements for Due Process.”
Summary of Development and Implementation Procedures
Once the director of research, the technical director, or any committee of technical experts assembled by the board of directors is satisfied that scientific evidence exists to merit the adoption of a new standard or the revision of an existing standard, a written report of such findings shall be sent to the executive director, who will in turn provide such findings to the Board and to the Standards Committee for further action. A redline version of the proposed new standard or requested revision will be posted on the NOCSAE website at least 30 days prior to the next scheduled meeting of the Standards Committee. Comments and objections to the proposed new standards and to requested revisions can be made through links on the website.
Revised Standards
Requested revisions to an existing standard will be submitted to the Standards Committee at least 30 days before the scheduled meeting of the committee. After considering all input received and discussions in an open meeting, the Standards Committee may approve the revised standard by a two thirds majority vote. If the Standards Committee approves such a revision, it will specify the effective date of such revision, which shall be no sooner than 12 months from the date of the approval vote.
Proposed New Standards
A proposed new standard is submitted in the same manner as proposed revisions to an existing standard. After public comment and discussion, should a majority vote of the Standards Committee agree to pursue development of a proposed new standard, the proposed new standard shall remain in “proposed” status for a minimum of 12 months from the approval vote. During this time, additional comments, input, and objections will be solicited, documented, and addressed. Any interested party may additionally request the opportunity to meet with the director of research or the technical director in person regarding any proposed standard or proposed standard revision.
The director of research or the technical director shall take such steps as may be necessary to address all written comments and shall present a written report of the status of the proposed standard revision to the Standards Committee for discussion prior to the first anniversary of the proposed new standard.
Final New Standard
Once a “Proposed New Standard” has been in approved status for minimum of 12 months, and all comments, objections and input have been received and considered, the Standards Committee, by a 2/3 vote, elevate the proposed new standard to become a “Final New Standard,” which will be considered effective 12 months from the date of approval as a “Final New Standard.”