Voluntary Product Standards are useful and helpful to purchasers, manufacturers, and distributors. Purchasers may order products that comply with Voluntary Product Standards and determine for themselves that their requirements are met. Manufacturers and distributors may refer to the standards in sales catalogs, advertising, invoices, and labels on their product. Commercial inspection and testing programs may also be employed, together with grade labels and certificates assuring compliance, to promote even greater public confidence. Such assurance of compliance promotes better understanding between purchasers and sellers. Editorial Format for VOLUNTARY PRODUCT STANDARDS Introduction The National Bureau of Standards, U. S. Department of Commerce, assists industry groups and public agencies in the development of voluntary standards for various products. These standards are developed in the public interest under specific procedures which ensure participation and provide acceptance opportunities to all interested groups. The revised procedures were published in the May 28, 1970, Federal Register (Vol. 35, No. 104), and copies are available from the Office of Engineering Standards Services, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C. 20234. The format described herein constitutes a general guide for the use of proponent groups in preparing an initial draft of a standard, and by others engaged in Voluntary Product Standards work. These editorial requirements should not be regarded as mandatory, but are generally recommended as standard form. Drafts of proposed standards should be submitted to the Office of Engineering Standards Services in accordance with the established procedures. The editorial format, as described herein, is divided into two parts: The first deals with the basic contents of the Voluntary Product Standard, and the second provides detailed instructions for writing Voluntary Product Standards. |