ASABE Standards training Prepared December 2011

Who is ASABE? The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Non-profit, membership-based engineering organization Also an ANSI-accredited standards developing organization (SDO) ANSI – the American National Standards Institute We are not the government (nor is ANSI)

Standards, codes, and regulations – what’s the difference? Regulations – anyone in that jurisdiction must comply Codes – often adopted by jurisdictions – sometimes with deviations-- to become regulations Standards – consensus-based; voluntary compliance, unless written into a code or regulation; often used as a sound, scientific basis for regulations and codes

Alphabet Soup? ASABE – that’s us, the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASAE – our former name – same minus the “and Biological”; our standards promulgated before the name change retain the “ASAE” designation) “03 Committee” – ASABE divisional oversight committee for standards; they approve each standards project, and have final sign-off on a completed standard ANSI – the American National Standards Institute; they accredit ASABE and other standards developers SDO – Standards Developing Organization; ASABE is an ANSI-accredited SDO ISO – the Organisation for International Standardization IEC – the International Electrotechnical Commission TC – Technical Committee; usually within ISO or IEC SC – SubCommittee; usually within ISO or IEC TAG – Technical Advisory Group; ASABE administers the US TAG to ISO/TC 23 – we put forward the US position, established by the US TAG, to ISO (via ANSI)

ASABE’s role in standards – p. 1 Engineering standards for agricultural & biological systems GeneralAgricultural Machinery Turf & Landscape Soil & WaterStructures & Environment Food & Process Electrical & Electronic Technologies Psychometric charts Safety Erosion control Post-frame design Physical property data Electrical demand calculations Weather- and moisture- related data and calculations Design standards water qualityDesign of silos, grain bins, etc. Methods for measuring ag and food product properties Agricultural electronics Technical publication standards Standardized tests IrrigationIrrigation & drainage Waste management Processing equipment design Electrical system design Standardized symbols SafetyLighting system design

ASABE’s role in standards – p. 2 ASABE staff – Helps you through the process – Ballots the committees – Maintains records and rosters – Ensures compliance with ANSI-accredited Procedures Committee members – Determine if topic is relevant to ASABE’s interests – Draft technical content of standards – Vote on technical content of standards – Address concerns from commenters

ASABE’s role in standards – p. 3 ASABE is also involved in international standards – ISO  ASABE administers the US position for: TC 23, Tractors and machinery for agriculture & forestry …and TC 23 subcommittees 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 14, and 19 TC 234, Aquaculture and fisheries TC 238, Solid biofuels for combustion – IEC  ASABE administers the US position for: subcommittee 61H, Safety of electrically-operated farm appliances

How does an ASABE standard become a standard? Identify a need – …and a “champion” for the project ASABE staff ballots the appropriate oversight committee for approval of the project (need, scope, affected parties) *public comment on project Existing or new ASABE committee (SDC) develops technical content of standard ASABE staff ballots SDC on technical content *public comment on technical content ASABE staff ballots oversight committee for final approval (balance, comments addressed, stayed within scope) *ANSI approval of final draft ASABE staff publishes standard *if proposed as American National Standard

Visualizing the ASABE process Identify need (anyone) Submit project proposal form (PPF) to ASABE (anyone, to staff) Oversight (03) committee approves PPF for need/scope (03 ctee, staff ballot) Develop draft and ballot for technical content (SDC, staff ballot) Oversight (03) committee approves process (03 ctee, staff ballot) Standard published (staff) If disapproved…

How does an ASABE standard become an international standard? De Facto – Other countries simply acknowledge that the ASABE standard is what they use Adoption into ISO or IEC – Someone (normally the US TAG) proposes to ISO or IEC that a new work item be started (notify ASABE staff!) – During the drafting process, the ASABE document is brought forward as the basis document – Some, or all, of the ASABE document is incorporated into the draft ISO/IEC standard – The US TAG members vote approval or disapproval on the draft ISO/IEC standard, and put forward any necessary comments – ASABE Manager of International Standards compiles those votes and comments into the US’s official position and submits them (via ANSI) to ISO – When standard is approved, option exists to adopt back as ASABE standard (see next slide)

What’s this ISO adoption business? In a world where most companies are selling in multiple countries, it is much more cost-effective to be able to manufacture one piece of equipment, in one configuration, for sale in multiple countries, rather then multiple configurations, one for each country. To facilitate this, ASABE often adopts ISO standards as ASABE standards – sometimes identically, sometimes with slight deviations Adoption of international standards by ASABE indicates US support of the international effort

Frequently Asked Questions Who can suggest a standard topic to ASABE? – Anyone Who serves on ASABE standards development committees? – Impacted/interested parties; with balance How do I vote? – Log into ASABE Web Forums Login name: usually the letter “M” followed by your 7-digit ASABE number Password: contact ASABE staff if you need to have your password reset Who can provide input for ASABE standards? – Anyone! Why do I have to jump through these hoops to get a standard approved? – What seems like a bunch of red tape is in place to ensure that everyone gets an opportunity to provide input, and to be sure that no one group can dominate the process

Tips & Tricks Make sure there is a need for the standard Find a “champion” to lead the project, or at least to make sure it stays on track Get involved early. If you wait until most of the work is done, those who’ve worked hard to craft the draft language tend to be less receptive to changes. Be sure to submit reasonable comments/rationale Proposed new language is ALWAYS appreciated!

Supporting the ASABE Standards Program If you support standards, they will be there to support your business – Ensure design compatibility – Enhance safety and performance – Provide a common test method If you DON’T support standards, there are no standards to support you when you need them – No documents to point to in a lawsuit – No basis for compatible designs; expensive design and tooling changes Standards are apart from your business, but need to be a part of your business – While standards are most often promulgated through third parties, they should be viewed as an essential part of your business, including participation and financial support – a real cost of doing business Support ASABE standards by: – Participating – Direct financial support, either through your company, or a personal donation Funds are used to support individual standard projects, help cover training costs for ASABE staff, to bring in other experts (ANSI/ISO training for members, etc.), and sometimes for special projects outside the normal scope of operation

More help Useful links: Contact ASABE Standards staff – Scott Cedarquist Director, Standards & Technical Activities (269) – Travis Tsunemori Staff Engineer (269) – Ted Tees Manager of International Standards (269) – Carla VanGilder Standards Administrator (269)