Who Sets the Standard?
From The Ongoing Transformation by Issues in Science and Technology
February 17, 2026 · 31 min
About this episode
This episode discusses the role of technical standards in public safety and innovation with ANSI's president and CEO, Laurie Locascio.
What do the design of high-visibility public safety vests, the distance between two railroad tracks, and the protocols that allow for file transfers between devices have in common? Each is determined by a technical standard set through a process coordinated by a private, non-profit organization called the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Technical standards are behind most of the products Americans interact with in everyday life, underpinning public safety, consumer protection, interoperability, and innovation. On this episode, host Megan Nicholson is joined by president and CEO of ANSI and former director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Laurie Locascio . Locascio explains the importance of standards for innovation and competitiveness, and describes how the US approach to standards development depends on the participation of people with all kinds of expertise. She also shares how more researchers can find their way into setting “the invisible infrastructure of modern life.” Resources Read ANSI’s United States Standards Strategy 2025 and review their courses and webinars about the American national standard designation. Check out the US…
People in this episode
Host: Megan Nicholson
Guest: Laurie Locascio
Topics covered
- technical standards
- public safety
- innovation
- consumer protection
- interoperability
Keywords
- technical standards
- ANSI
- public safety
- innovation
- interoperability
- consumer protection
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: American National Standards Institute, National Institute of Standards and Technology, US government
Books & works: Why Standards Matter
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