#United States #New York #Consumer Engagement #ANSI #Consumer Standards

Introducing Consumer Standards Central

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has embarked on an exciting journey with its revamped consumer webinar series, now known as Consumer Standards Central. This rebranding reflects a more expansive mission to engage consumers in diverse standards development areas that significantly impact their daily lives.

A Broader Vision for Consumer Engagement

Building upon the success of the previous series, Consumer Safety Central, ANSI recognizes that consumer input is crucial not just for safety but across various domains, including cutting-edge technologies, textiles, and home goods. By broadening its focus, the series will delve into how consumer insights can help shape standards that serve the public interest.

What's New in 2026?

With the rebranding, several new features have been integrated into the webinar series this year:

• - Thematic Focus: Each session will revolve around specific themes, allowing for more in-depth discussions about targeted issues relevant to consumers.
• - Expert Guest Speakers: The sessions will include special guests from the standards community, such as representatives from standards developing organizations and consumer advocates, enriching the discussions with their expertise.
• - Expanded Scope: While maintaining a commitment to safety, the webinars will explore a wider range of standards affecting consumer lives in various industries.

Upcoming Schedule and Key Topics

Mark your calendars for three informational sessions scheduled for this year:

• - March 5 at 2:00 PM ET: In conjunction with National Consumer Protection Week, this session will emphasize the role of consumer participation in enhancing protections across industries.
• - June 17 at 11:00 AM ET: A mid-year update focused on emerging consumer standards issues. This session aims to address current trends and developments in the field.
• - November 19 at 1:00 PM ET: A noteworthy session on standards and injury prevention, perfectly timed to align with National Injury Prevention Day on November 18.

Hosted by Cleo Stamatos, ANSI's senior manager of consumer and legislative outreach, the series will also feature continuing collaboration with Jonathan Midgett, Ph.D., the former CPSC Consumer Ombudsman and a member of the ANSI Consumer Interest Forum.

Consumers and the U.S. Standards Strategy 2025

The engagement of consumers in the standards development process is a vital component of the U.S. Standards Strategy 2025 (USSS). This strategy serves as a roadmap for how America develops standards and participates in international standardization efforts. Updated in 2025, the USSS clearly states that consumer input is fundamental to a successful private-sector-led standards system, making efforts like Consumer Standards Central essential for informed participation.

Free and Open to All

All webinars under the Consumer Standards Central series are free and accessible to the public via web conferencing. Information regarding registration and further details can be found on the ANSI events page. Don't miss out on this opportunity to contribute to meaningful discussions affecting consumer standards and practices.

For additional information, please reach out to Cleo Stamatos at [email protected].

About ANSI

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the global competitiveness of U.S. enterprises while improving societal quality of life through voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems. Representing 270,000 companies and over 30 million professionals, ANSI plays a vital role in the international standards community, serving as the official U.S. representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Visit www.ansi.org for more information and connect with us on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.