Standard Setting in the United States: Public and Private Sector Roles

Standards are ubiquitous, affecting our lives in a multitude of ways. Because the economic and social stakes in standards are so large, how standards are set is a matter of some concern. The standards development process must be fair to prevent any single interest from dictating the outcome. Equally important is the relationship between the public and private sectors. This article examines the evolution of the U.S. standards process and its basis in American political culture. It evaluates the system in the light of the many structural changes taking place in the world economy, and suggests that a new balance must be struck between public and private sector roles. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.