Approved by the Infrastructure and Research Policy Committee on May 8, 2024
Approved by the Public Policy and Practice Committee on May 29, 2024
Adopted by the Board of Direction on July 18, 2024

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

Compatibility among domestic and international codes and standards is essential for the U.S. to maintain a strong competitive position in the international marketplace. Compliance with codes and standards is vital for exports, imports, and marketing of goods and services of the architectural/engineering/construction (A/E/C) industries.

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 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. The U.S. should be in a position to influence the standardization of domestic and international standards. This is to help improve the acceptance of U.S. technology, construction products and professional services internationally to better protect the public health, safety, and welfare.

ASCE Policy Statement 365
First Approved in 1990