The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has opened registration for World Standards Week 2024, to he held on Nov. 12-14 in Washington, D.C., with hybrid options available for selected daytime events. A premier annual gathering, WSW brings together ANSI members and diverse private and public sector stakeholders from across the standardization communities for topical discussions and special events in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration.

Details and registration are available at www.ansi.org/wsweek; advance registration is required for all events. The week’s highlights include:

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Speed Networking: Connections for Sustainability

Location: National Housing Center Auditorium

Time: 1:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m. EST

In-person only

Free; open to all

Kick of World Standards Week with a unique networking opportunity! Connect with colleagues and share insights on standards supporting sustainability. Discussion prompts will encourage meaningful connections and knowledge sharing. Keep the conversation going during an afternoon networking reception!

Emerging Standards Professionals Workshop: Leadership and Engagement in ISO and
IEC Activities (Day 1 of 3)

Location: ANSI Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

Time: 1:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m. EST

This free, three-day event is in-person only and open to individuals with 8 or fewer years of experience in standards and conformity assessment. Participation in all three days of this program is required.

  • This multi-day workshop will prime emerging standards professionals with the skills they need to be successful in International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) activities. Participants will network with industry leaders, gain insights into the standards development and conformity assessment processes, and attend valuable trainings to advance their careers and the work of their organizations. This event is hosted by the USNC Young & Emerging Professionals Committee.
  • Day 1 will provide an introduction to international standardization at ISO and the IEC. Participants will learn from the United States’ foremost leaders on how to become engaged in these activities, as well as the value of participation for you and your employer through an information session, career panel, and networking event.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Networking Breakfast

Location: National Housing Center

Time: 8:00 a.m.– 9:00 a.m. EST

Free; open to all WSW attendees

Conference: Standards and Sustainability

Location: National Housing Center Auditorium; virtual participation available

Time: 9:00 a.m.– 4 p.m. EST

Free; open to all

  • Covering sustainability and ESG, circularity, and the use of standards as regulatory tools, this conference will explore how industry, standards developing organizations, consortia, governments, academia, civil society communities, and others can work together to support greater sustainability worldwide.

Annual Business Meeting and Luncheon

Location: National Housing Center Auditorium; virtual participation available

Time: 12:00 p.m.– 1:30 p.m. EST

Free; open to all

  • Join ANSI board of director chair David Miller and ANSI president and CEO Joe Bhatia, for highlights of the past year and plans for the future.

Emerging Standards Professionals Workshop: Leadership and Engagement in ISO and
IEC Activities (Day 2 of 3)

Location: National Housing Center Auditorium (morning); ANSI Headquarters (afternoon)

Time: 9:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. EST

This free, three-day event is in-person only and open to individuals with 8 or fewer years of experience in standards and conformity assessment. Participation in all three days of this program is required.

  • On Day 2, “Standard in a Day Bootcamp” training will provide hands-on experience for attendees to learn how international stakeholders reach consensus, draft, and finally create an international standard. The session will also explore how many disparate communities can come together to support greater sustainability worldwide through attendance at WSW’s Standards and Sustainability conference.

2024 ANSI Leadership and Service Awards Ceremony

Location: The Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C.

Time: Reception 6:00 p.m.– 7:00 p.m. EST.; Dinner 7:00 p.m.– 9:00 p.m. EST.

Registration fee; open to all; In-person only

  • ANSI's Leadership and Service Awards will be presented to the 26 distinguished recipients at this banquet and ceremony in celebration of outstanding achievements in standardization.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14

ANSI Legal Issues Forum: Copyright Implications in a Changing Landscape

Location: National Housing Center Auditorium; virtual participation available

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST

Open to all; free

  • Join a broad group of legal experts, standards professionals, corporate leaders, and other stakeholders interested in the intersection of law, innovation, and standardization during ANSI's 2024 Legal Issues Forum, to focus on three topical sessions:

Navigating the Impact of the Supreme Court's Loper v. Bright Decision:unch Discussion:

The panel will explore the potential consequences of this landmark ruling on the development and application of standards in regulation, and the evolving relationship between the judiciary, regulatory bodies, and the standards community.

Lunch Discussion: New Legal Developments Impacting the Practice of Incorporation by Reference (IBR):

The second in a series covering the increasing risk of loss of copyright protection for standards that are incorporated by reference into regulation, the panel will analyze the current legal landscape, including recent decisions on point from the D.C. Circuit and Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the status of proposed legislation to address the IBR issue and other ideas for minimizing the risk of copyright challenges to IBR’d standards.  

What the Standards Community Needs to Know about Data Security Regulations, Practices and Standards:

Among the discussions, experts will explore the regulatory and legal frameworks that are being put in place to address and mitigate data security risks, and the role of standards and conformity assessment in enhancing data security.

Emerging Standards Professionals Workshop: Leadership and Engagement in ISO and
IEC Activities (Day 3 of 3)

Location: ANSI Headquarters (morning/afternoon); National Housing Center (evening)

This free, three-day event is in-person only and open to individuals with 8 or fewer years of experience in standards and conformity assessment. Participation in all three days of this program is required.

  • Day 3 will allow attendees to explore the flip side of international standardization through a conformity assessment overview and training, with insights from industry experts on standards’ effects on topics such as: AI, the UN SDGs, gender equity, and much more. The USNC Young & Emerging Professionals Committee will conclude the event by funding participants’ admission cost to attend the U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day networking reception and exhibits.

WSW Sponsorship Opportunities! Various sponsorship opportunities are available. Register to be a sponsor by following the registration link on ansi.org/wsweek. Questions may be directed to Stephanie Carroll, ANSI’s associate director of meetings and events, at [email protected].

Book Your Hotel in Advance! ANSI Room Block ReservationsA block of rooms for WSW attendees is available at the Madison Hotel from Nov. 11-14 for $249/night, plus tax. The Madison Hotel is located across the street from the National Housing Center.

Please use this link to make your reservation. Reservations must be made no later than Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. Please note that this is a busy week in Washington, D.C., and rooms are limited. Early reservations are highly recommended.