This week marked the celebration of World Standards Week 2022. During the week, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) brings stakeholders together for topical discussions on standardization, conformity assessment and workforce development priorities. Participants gathered in Washington, DC for sessions Oct.10-13.
Throughout the week, participants met to discuss topics from international policy to the impact of voluntary consensus standards on health and safety and intellectual property rights.
Working with the group since the early 1970s, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) helps U.S. RV businesses stay competitive while promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, RVIA said. RVIA also advocates for the integrity of those systems.
The RVIA created its own standards department to address recently published RV ANSI standards. The association assists member manufacturers in a consistent approach to safety protocols and the construction of safer RVs.
Establishing defined standards enabled the RV industry to ensure products, components and services supplied by different companies were made compatible across the board.
The RVIA program ensures that materials, products, processes, and services meet their intended purpose and function when producing RVs that consumers can use in confidence, RVIA said.
The RVIA Board of Directors adopted three association-mandated RV safety standards: the NFPA 1192 RV standard, ANSI Low Voltage standard, and the National Electrical Code (NEC) (Article 551). As an accredited standards developer, the RVIA also created five additional, related ANSI RV standards over the years, that address safety requirements beyond the scope of NFPA 1192, ANSI LV, or the NEC.
These include addressing requirements for RV exterior ladders, engine generators, attachment of trailer wheels and tires on trailers, uniform plan approvals, and park model RVs.
With over 11.2 million RV owners in the U.S., and many more joining the community every year, the RV Industry Association works diligently with partners such as ANSI to make sure RVers have a safe and enjoyable experience in the outdoors, creating memories with family and friends that last a lifetime, RVIA said.
