America vs Africa: A Comparative Look at ANSI and ARSO: Driving Standards for Global and Regional Integration

Standards play a pivotal role in facilitating trade, innovation, and economic development worldwide. When it comes to standards development, two organizations stand out on their respective continents: the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in the United States and the African Regional Standards Organisation (ARSO) in Africa. While both aim to advance standards and conformity assessment, they operate in distinct contexts and address different challenges. As an American quality software company involved in Africa, I thought I'd explore their roles, differences, and impact on regional and global trade.

#ANSI: A Key Player in International Standardization

Founded in 1918, ANSI is a non-profit organization that oversees the development and adoption of standards in the United States. ANSI doesn’t create standards itself but accredits other standards-developing organizations, ensuring that the procedures they follow meet criteria for openness, balance, and consensus. By coordinating U.S. standards with international ones, ANSI plays a critical role in maintaining the competitiveness of American industries.

Key Functions of ANSI:

• Standards Accreditation: Ensures that the U.S. standards development process is fair, transparent, and aligned with global best practices.
• Representation in Global Standards Bodies: ANSI represents the U.S. in international organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), ensuring that American interests are reflected in international standards.
• Conformity Assessment: Through accreditation of certification bodies, ANSI supports U.S. industries in proving that products meet required standards, facilitating market access globally.

Revenue Model and Budget: ANSI’s revenue comes from membership fees, sales of standards, accreditation services, and training programs. With an estimated annual budget of $70-80 million, ANSI has the resources to maintain its influence in global standardization efforts. This revenue allows ANSI to provide valuable services to U.S. industries, ensuring their products and services can meet both domestic and international standards.

#ARSO: Harmonizing Standards for African Trade Integration

Established in 1977, ARSO aims to harmonize standards across Africa, promoting intra-African trade and enabling African products to meet global quality benchmarks. ARSO’s mission is especially relevant today, given the ambitions of the African Continental Free Trade Area (#AfCFTA) to create a single market for goods and services across the continent. By aligning standards, ARSO helps to reduce technical barriers to trade (TBTs) between African countries.

Key Functions of ARSO:

• Harmonization of Standards: ARSO works to unify national standards among its member states, reducing discrepancies and facilitating smoother trade across Africa.
• Capacity Building: ARSO supports national standards bodies in Africa through training and technical assistance, strengthening their ability to develop and enforce standards.
• Support for AfCFTA: ARSO plays a crucial role in the successful implementation of the AfCFTA, aligning standards to enable smoother cross-border trade and fostering industrialization within Africa.

Revenue Model and Budget: ARSO’s funding comes from member contributions, training fees, grants from development partners, and consultancy services. While its budget is smaller than ANSI’s, ARSO’s work is critical in laying the groundwork for a more integrated African market, which holds significant potential for economic growth and regional trade.

Comparing ANSI and ARSO: Key Similarities and Differences

1. Role in Standards Development:
2. Impact on Trade:
3. Revenue Models:
4. Challenges and Opportunities:

Why Standards Matter: A Shared Mission with Different Contexts

Despite their differences, both ANSI and ARSO share a common goal: using standards to drive economic growth and facilitate trade. For ANSI, this means ensuring that American products and services remain competitive in global markets. For ARSO, it means creating a level playing field within Africa, reducing the continent’s reliance on external markets and fostering industrialization.

As Africa seeks to realize the vision of the AfCFTA and the U.S. continues to push for greater market access globally, both ANSI and ARSO are, and will become central players in the world of standards. Their efforts remind us that, while the path to harmonization and conformity may differ, the end goal of economic integration and prosperity is a shared ambition.

#StandardsForTrade

In an increasingly interconnected world, the role of standards organizations like ANSI and ARSO is more critical than ever. Whether you are an exporter, a policymaker, or an entrepreneur, understanding these organizations’ roles can help you navigate the complexities of international trade and seize new opportunities for growth.