1. Overview of the Brazil-U. S
Overview of the Brazil-U.S. Standards and Conformance Cooperation Project (SCCP)
Reeve Wolford
Latin America Consultant
American National Standards Institute
Tel:
February 2009

2. Introduction
ANSI proposes the establishment of a Brazil-U.S. Standards and Conformance Cooperation Program (SCCP) to support Brazil-U.S. trade and development, particularly among small businesses (SMEs).
Implementation to be coordinated by ANSI, in partnership with its Brazilian counterparts ABNT and INMETRO, the Brazilian and U.S. governments and private sectors.

3. Introduction Brazil-U.S. StandardsPortal
The SCCP would initially consist of the following two initiatives, to be carried out over a 3-year period, with preliminary deliverables produced within 3-6 months:
Brazil-U.S. StandardsPortal
An online resource for information on the standards, conformity assessment and technical regulations applicable to the U.S. and Brazilian markets, in English and Portuguese.
Brazil-U.S. Training and Capacity Building Initiative
A program of events, seminars and workshops aimed at helping companies:
meet the standards, conformity assessment and technical regulations in effect in the U.S. and Brazil.
engage in standardization activities so that their perspectives are considered as future requirements are developed.

4. Introduction The SCCP is designed to:
Reduce barriers to bilateral trade and investment
Increase transparency
Create incentives for technical requirements in both countries to conform to international practices

5. Introduction: Participating Organizations
The SCCP would be led by ANSI, in cooperation with a broad group of collaborating organizations including the following:
Brazil
U.S.
ABNT, INMETRO
ANSI
Companies, associations
Ministry of Development Industry and Trade, APEX
Dept. of Commerce, USTDA
Regulators
Conformity assessment bodies (CABs)
Standards developers (SDO’s)

6. StandardsPortal

7. StandardsPortal
The Brazil-U.S. StandardsPortal will be built upon the existing StandardsPortal ( infrastructure, which includes the following information:
Standards and conformance information for the U.S. and China in English and Mandarin Chinese (2006)
Information on India developed as part of an U.S.-India SCCP (2008)
Information on Korea in English and Korean under development (2009 launch)

8. StandardsPortal
The StandardsPortal aims to answer key questions for companies looking to engage in international trade:
What technical requirements must my product meet to enter and compete in the U.S. or Brazilian market?
How can I get an “early warning” about changes to these requirements?
How can I ensure that my company’s perspectives are heard and considered in the development of standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment policies?

10. StandardsPortal
Existing U.S. information on StandardsPortal would be expanded and translated into Portuguese. Similar information on Brazil (English and Portuguese) would be developed.

12. Search by Name, ICS Code, or Industry Sector

14. StandardsPortal: Market Access Directory
A new Market Requirements Directory would be added to StandardsPortal and would provide:
A searchable, bilingual product-by-product database of U.S. and Brazilian standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment requirements for five priority industry sectors.
Information on public and private developers of standards and regulations in both countries, including contact information.
Links to the organizations that carry out conformity assessment for specific scopes in the U.S. and Brazil.
An online discussion forum for companies to ask questions and provide practical suggestions related to the specific standards, conformity assessment procedures and regulations referenced by the Directory.

15. Brazil-U.S. Standards Cooperation Workshop and Event Series

16. Brazil-U.S. Standards Cooperation Workshop and Event Series
The Brazil-U.S. Standards Cooperation Workshop and Event Series will complement the online resources by organizing:
A series of workshops focused on finding solutions to mutually-relevant issues in standards and conformance.
Larger events aimed at drawing public attention to the importance of standards & conformity assessment for business, public health, safety, etc.

17. www.ansi.org | webstore.ansi.org | www.nssn.org
For more information
American National Standards Institute
Headquarters Operations
1819 L Street, NW 25 West 43rd Street
Sixth Floor Fourth Floor
Washington, DC New York, NY 10036
T: T: F: F:
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Thank you very much for your attention, and for the opportunity to present this overview of the U.S. standards and conformity assessment system. I look forward to your questions and comments.

18. ANSI International Policy Department Contacts
For more information:
ANSI International Policy Department Contacts
Gary Kushnier, Vice President of International Policy /
Steven Bipes, Director – Regional & Bilateral Programs /
Elise Owen, ANSI Representative for China & India Affairs /