Standards Development

Covering the technology and the marketplace — coordination among industry, national and 
international standards

NFPA administers fluid power standards development at three levels:

Industry-NFPA develops industry standards. As of March 2007, 37 have been published, and 29 are in development (new standards and revisions of current standards). The NFPA Technical Board has the responsibility of leading these activities.

National-NFPA administers the approval of American National Standards for fluid power. As of March 2007, 45 American National Standards for fluid power are in effect.

International-ISO Technical Committee 131 (ISO/TC 131) comprises participants from all over the world who come together to develop International (ISO) Standards. As of March 2007, 184 have been published and approximately another 63 are in development (new standards and revisions of current standards). The U.S. TAG to ISO/TC 131 is the national committee that develops the U.S.'s input on International Standards and selects people to represent the U.S. at international meetings.

The focus of NFPA's standards programs is on developing International Standards for the global marketplace, especially in the areas of design for interchangeability, testing, rating methods, safety, communications and calibration. NFPA adopted this focus in 1997 to accommodate leading customers who want international standards; to eliminate duplication of work from the creation and maintenance of overlapping industry, national and international standards; and to enhance NFPA's influence on the development of international standards.

  NFPA policy on the development of standards

  Process and Coordination

  Standards Committees

For more information please contact: 

Karen Boehme (ISO and U.S. TAG) - phone: 414-778-3345, e-mail: kboehme@nfpa.com
Carrie Tatman Schwartz (NFPA) - phone:  414-778-3347, email: ctschwartz@nfpa.com