The process of developing or revising an Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) American National Standard (ANS) Standard of Care (e.g., ANSI/IICRC S100 for carpet cleaning, ANSI/IICRC S500 for water damage), starts off with a Consensus Body (CB) (i.e., authoring and approving body) consisting of industry experts and following the ANSI procedures. Over a period of several years, this group will meet, typically weekly, to discuss the details of the processes and procedures for the services covered by the Standard. There will be lengthy, detailed discussions about a single paragraph, sentence, or even a word and how all involved parties will interpret and apply it in the field.
After the CB completes the draft Standard, it is open for a Public Review period. During this time, anyone can download, review, and provide what they feel are necessary changes. The CB is then required to respond individually to each of the often hundreds of public review comments, with their reasoning to agree with and make the suggested change, or that they have reviewed the comment but are not changing the language. If this process results in any substantive changes, additional rounds of public review must be held until they are resolved. There is also an ANSI appeals process available to unresolved objectors.
Because of this robust process, ANSI/IICRC Standards can effectively be used to develop your internal SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for how to do the work. Additionally, if there are disputes on a job, because the IICRC is an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer, the Standards can be used to defend our actions or hold you to account if you do not follow them.
Be sure to know and understand the Standard of Care!
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