Why Consensus Standards?
The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 mandated that federal agencies “shall use technical standards that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies” as opposed to rules established by the government. The United States Congress, in a 1996 Federal Law (Public Law 104), further stated, “Federal agencies shall consult with private sector consensus bodies when such participation is in the public interest….”
Accordingly, the FAA mandated in the sport pilot/light-sport aircraft rule, that consensus standards be developed to govern the production of light-sport aircraft (LSA). At the suggestion of EAA, the FAA engaged ASTM International to assist the light-sport aircraft community in the development of those standards.
The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 mandated that federal agencies “shall use technical standards that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies” as opposed to rules established by the government. The United States Congress, in a 1996 Federal Law (Public Law 104), further stated, “Federal agencies shall consult with private sector consensus bodies when such participation is in the public interest….”
Accordingly, the FAA mandated in the sport pilot/light-sport aircraft rule, that consensus standards be developed to govern the production of light-sport aircraft (LSA). At the suggestion of EAA, the FAA engaged ASTM International to assist the light-sport aircraft community in the development of those standards.
