IHTA JOINS THE AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE (ANSI)

May 15, 2009

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - The International Hot Tub Association has announced its acceptance into the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) with the strategic plan of writing and revising standards for the portable hot tub industry. The IHTA was founded on the purpose of advocating and protecting the hot tub industry from unwarranted regulation now and in the future. ANSI facilitates the development of American National Standards (ANS) by accrediting the procedures of standards developing organizations (SDOs).

These groups work cooperatively to develop voluntary national consensus standards. Accreditation by ANSI signifies that the procedures used by the standards body in connection with the development of American National Standards meet the Institute’s essential requirements for openness, balance, consensus and due process. The IHTA’s Board of Directors has established a portable hot tub Engineering Committee which will assist the organization in defining sound technical areas which are in need of standardization. With new standards being established, the organization can use these domestic standards as a model for future international standards to benefit international members.

In many instances, U.S. standards are taken forward to International Standardization Organizations (ISO) through ANSI, where they are adopted in whole or in part as international standards. For this reason, ANSI plays an important part in creating international standards that support the worldwide sale of products, which prevent regions from using local standards to favor local industries. “It’s our intent to educate as many government officials as possible regarding the differences between the portable hot tub industry and the swimming pool industry.

No longer can we afford to be considered the same industry,” stated Mitch Brooks, Executive Director for the group. “There is no doubt in my mind that the IHTA is becoming the primary voice of the portable hot tub industry!”
 

For more information, visit http://hottubindustry.org