====== Voluntary Consensus Standard ====== [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:start|Go up to Terms and Definitions]] ===== Discussion ===== A voluntary consensus standard is a type of standard developed or adopted by a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:v:voluntary_consensus_standards_body|Voluntary Consensus Standards Body]] through a voluntary consensus standards development process. The process includes: * Openness to interested parties * Meaningful participation on a non-discriminatory basis * Balance among represented interests * Documented and publicly available procedures * Adequate notice and review opportunities * Fair consideration and resolution of conflicting views * An impartial appeals process * Consensus that does not require unanimity The term voluntary describes the standards development system and the non-governmental origin of the standard. It does not mean that every use of the standard remains optional. A law, regulation, procurement instrument, contract, or organizational policy may require conformance with a voluntary consensus standard. Under United States federal standards policy, agencies use voluntary consensus standards instead of government-unique standards when such use is consistent with applicable law and practical for the agency's requirements. ===== Definition ===== //Standard developed or adopted by a voluntary consensus standards body through an open, balanced, due-process-based, appealable, and consensus-based process.// ===== Source ===== * National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995, Public Law 104-113 * Office of Management and Budget, Circular A-119: Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities * National Institute of Standards and Technology, Federal Policy on Standards ===== Note ===== Voluntary does not mean non-binding. An authority may incorporate a voluntary consensus standard into a regulation, procurement requirement, contract, conformance profile, or organizational policy. OMB Circular A-119 distinguishes voluntary consensus standards from government-unique standards and from other private-sector standards that do not satisfy all attributes of the voluntary consensus process. A standard does not qualify as a voluntary consensus standard solely because industry participants use it widely or because its content is publicly available. ===== Example ===== A federal agency may incorporate a suitable voluntary consensus standard into a procurement specification instead of developing a government-unique technical standard. ---- © 2026 Dido Solutions, Inc. and Jackrabbit Consulting, Inc.