Understanding ANAB & ANSI

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private, non-profit organization that oversees the U.S. voluntary standards and conformity assessment system. Within ANSI is the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)—a non-governmental body that provides accreditation and training services. Since both names are often mentioned together, it’s easy to get confused. In this post, we’ll break down what each organization does and explain the difference between ANSI and ANAB-accredited certifications.

What Does ANAB Stand For?

ANAB stands for the ANSI National Accreditation Board. It provides accreditation and training services to organizations across both public and private sectors and operates in over 75 countries, making it the largest multidisciplinary accreditation body in North America.

ANAB Accredited Program Accreditation ID: 1135

What Is ANAB?

ANAB accredits a wide range of entities, including:

• Certification bodies for management systems
• Calibration and testing laboratories
• Forensic test and calibration service providers
• Inspection bodies and police crime units
• Reference material producers
• Proficiency testing providers

Beyond accreditation, ANAB also delivers training programs led by seasoned industry professionals to help individuals and organizations deepen their knowledge in areas of quality, safety, and compliance.

What Is ANSI?

Founded in 1918, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) coordinates and administers the U.S. system of voluntary standards and conformity assessment. ANSI does not develop standards itself; rather, it provides the framework and oversight to ensure that standards are developed in a transparent, fair, and consensus-based process.

ANSI acts as a neutral facilitator, working with businesses, government agencies, and experts to create standards-based solutions that address both national and global needs. The Institute helps ensure the integrity and quality of conformity assessments and supports industry, regulators, and consumers alike.

In summary:

• ANSI manages the standards system and provides the structure for fair and credible standards development.
• ANAB, a division of ANSI, offers accreditation and training services to organizations and professionals worldwide.

ANAB vs ANSI: Which Accreditation Matters for Certification Programs?

The ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) provides accreditation and training services for a wide range of industry-specific certificate and certification programs. Certification bodies (CBs) that demonstrate competence in auditing and certifying organizations to management systems standards are evaluated and accredited by ANAB. This type of accreditation ensures impartiality, credibility, and public trust in the CB’s certifications across both public and private sectors.

Types of ANAB Accreditation

According to ANAB, there are two distinct types of personnel credentialing program accreditation:

• Certification Program Accreditation
  Based on ISO/IEC 17024, which sets general requirements for bodies operating certification of persons. In the food safety sector, ANAB also recognizes programs aligned with the Conference for Food Protection (CFP) Accreditation Standard for food protection managers.

• Certificate Program Accreditation
  Based on ANSI/ASTM E2659-18, the standard practice for certificate programs that do not meet the formal definition of certification but still verify learning outcomes.

Organizations applying for ANAB accreditation must also comply with ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 and submit a completed ISO/IEC 17021-1 Requirement Matrix.

Note: ANAB is a wholly owned subsidiary of ANSI and operates as a separate legal entity under the name ANSI National Accreditation Board.

What Is ANSI Accreditation?

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a third-party accrediting body that “certifies the certifiers.” In other words, ANSI accredits the organizations that provide certifications—ensuring those organizations operate in a transparent, fair, and credible manner.

ANSI follows ISO/IEC 17011, the international standard for accrediting certification bodies. This process includes document reviews, in-depth evaluations, and on-site assessments—a step that sets ANSI apart as the only accreditor of personnel certifications to require in-person evaluations.

ANSI’s accreditation confirms a certification body’s compliance with ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 and reflects adherence to the highest standards in certification practices. The resulting credential holds significant value in many industries, from energy and healthcare to food safety and manufacturing.

Why ANSI Accreditation Matters

Achieving ANSI accreditation provides a wide range of benefits:

• Enhanced Credibility: Certification holders are recognized as having undergone rigorous, standards-based assessments.

• Legal Protection: ANSI-accredited credentials can serve as a legal defense in cases involving false claims or disputes.

• Reduced Liability: Organizations and individuals may benefit from lower insurance premiums due to the transparency and accountability required by ANSI-accredited programs.

• Regulatory Confidence: Government agencies and employers often rely on ANSI-accredited certifications to ensure proper training and competency in regulated fields.

Conclusion

While ANAB and ANSI are closely related, with ANAB operating as ANSI’s accreditation board, their roles serve different ends of the credentialing spectrum. ANAB directly evaluates credentialing programs, while ANSI ensures the integrity of the organizations behind them—making both essential in establishing public confidence in certification systems.

For more information:
Visit the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) websites.