US Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs)

CLSI (appointed by ANSI to administer the US TAG for ISO/TC 212) is responsible for ensuring compliance with TAG procedures.

US TAGs are committees accredited by ANSI for the participation in ISO technical activities or appointed by the USNC for participation in IEC technical activities.

Participation in a TAG is open to any organization within the United States. A US TAG is the only mechanism through which US organizations and individuals can participate in and influence ISO standards. To serve as a member of the US TAG for ISO/TC 212, the member must have a direct and material interest in the TAG’s work, participate actively by fulfilling attendance, voting, correspondence, and other relevant obligations, and pay a participation fee.

In general, the functions and responsibilities of a US TAG are:

Recommend registration of ANSI as a P-member or O-member of the technical committee or subcommittee or recommend a change or termination in membership status.
Initiate and approve US proposals for new work items for submission by ANSI for consideration by the technical committee.
Initiate and approve US working drafts for submission by ANSI to the technical committee for consideration.
Determine the US position on ISO draft International Standards, draft technical reports, committee drafts, new work item proposals, ISO questionnaires, draft reports of meetings, etc.
Provide adequate US representation to technical committee meetings, designate heads of delegations and members of delegations, and ensure compliance with the ANSI Guide for US Delegates to IEC/ISO Meetings (including preparation and submission of a Head of Delegation report).
Determine US positions on agenda items of technical committee meetings and advise the US delegation of any flexibility it may have on these positions.
Nominate US technical experts to serve on the technical committee working groups.
Provide assistance to US Secretariats of the technical committee or its working groups upon request, including resolving comments on draft international standards, draft technical reports, committee drafts, and new work item proposals.
Identify and establish close liaison with other US TAGs in related fields, or identify ISO or IEC activities that may overlap the TAG’s scope.
Recommend to ANSI the acceptance of secretariats for technical committee’s subcommittees or working groups.
Recommend that ANSI invite the technical committees or subcommittees to meet in the United States.
Recommend to ANSI US candidates for the chair of the technical committee, and any subcommittees, and US conveners of the technical committee’s working groups.

If you would like to apply for membership of US TAG for ISO/TC 212, please complete the registration form and return it to CLSI.