The RV Industry Association was recently re-accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The association has maintained this accreditation for 30 years, holding it since 1983. The RV Industry Association completes an audit every five years, during which ANSI reviews all standards development procedures to ensure they meet the criteria for accreditation and that that they follow all the practices of the current ANSI Essential Requirements. ANSI also conducts an in-depth review of at least five of the Association’s standards during each audit to verify evidence of consensus for the approval, balance the representation of stakeholders, and to ensure all submitted proposals and comments are addressed.
The canvass process requires a balance committee, with no category of members representing more than one-third of the committee roster. Categories of representation includes manufacturers, suppliers, users, government officials, independent experts, insurance, distributors, testing/listing agencies, and general interest.
RVIA particularly focuses on safety-related standards, which ANSI has confirmed follow the official recommendations. The ANSI accreditation permits the Association to efficiently process safety standards and to quickly address any safety concerns that arise. The accreditation also allows the Association to maintain its own self-regulation, establishing additional safety standards where necessary.