About TIA Standards Development

TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a "standards developing organization (SDO). Standards projects and technical documents initiated by TIA's engineering committees are formulated according to the guidelines established by the TIA Engineering Manual.

Every new standard project begins as a technical contribution in one of TIA's engineering committees or subcommittees. If there is support for the contribution, a Project Initiation Notice (PIN) form is completed and submitted for approval by TIA staff. After the project is approved for initiation, the formulating engineering committee or subcommittee will continue to develop the technical parameters of the project. When the proposed standard nears completion, the engineering group will chose to submit the document for approval as a "TIA Standard", an "American National Standard," or both.

Process for a TIA Standard

The draft of the proposed document must be circulated for voting and comments as a "Committee Letter Ballot." The purpose of the ballot is to establish consensus on the draft document and to resolve any remaining issues. During this phase of the standards-making process, the draft of the document is not released to the general public.

After the final draft of the document has obtained committee consensus, the balloting information and supporting documents are reviewed by the Telecommunications Standards Subcommittee of TIA's Board of Directors, to ensure that due process and other requirements have been met. Upon completion of this review, the document will be approved for publication as a TIA standard and will be made available for public purchase.

Process for an American National Standard

The draft of the proposed document must be circulated as an industry-wide "Standards Proposal" (SP) ballot/pink ballot. During the balloting period, the SP ballot can be purchased through IHS Global Inc. and any interested entities may submit one of three responses to the ballot: "affirmative," "affirmative (with comment") or "negative (with comment)."

After the final draft of the document has obtained industry consensus, the balloting information and supporting documents are reviewed by the Telecommunications Standards Subcommittee of TIA's Board of Directors, to ensure that due process and other requirements have been met. Upon completion of this review, the document information is forwarded to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Board of Standards Review (BSR) with request for approval. If the document is approved as an American National Standard, then TIA will publish the standard and make it available for public purchase. American National Standards must be reaffirmed, modified, or rescinded every five years.

For more information about the standards development process, please contact standards@tiaonline.org.