Dear Mr. Tozzi:

    At their May 2001 meeting, the ANSI Executive Standards Council (ExSC) reviewed the comments that you submitted relative to the ANSI Guide for the Preparation of Standards for Use in Regulations (ExSC 4963). The ExSC thanks you for taking the time to submit proposed revisions.Upon consideration, the ExSC did not support the addition of the proposed text. They noted that:

1. The American National Standards (ANS) process is relied on by the government as an alternative to the government's own development of standards. This is consistent with the goals of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (PL 104-113). The ANS process is a private sector initiative that is well supported by the government in its current form. Accordingly, the ExSC does not believe that the ANS process must, or even should, exactly replicate the federal rule-making process.
   
   
2. The ExSC does not wish to list specifically regulations that are Federal regulations only and with which they are not conversant relative to the content therein. The ExSC also noted that there are other levels of government that serve as regulators, and thus, other regulations may be applicable based on the nature of the standard. However, it would be impractical to list all potential regulators or regulations in the Guide at issue.The ExSC appreciates your interest in the American National Standards process.

Please contact me if you have any questions or if I may be of assistance to you.