3-A Working Groups

The Working Groups (WGs) are the backbone of the 3-A SSI consensus document development process. The bulk of the standards development work is carried out by the 14 WGs, either within each WG as a whole or by forming task groups within the WGs to accomplish specific projects. Each WG consists of experts representing fabricators of related types of equipment, systems, and materials and representatives of the users and sanitarian stakeholder groups. Suppliers to OEMs, or consultants of record to OEMs may also be designated.

The majority of the Work Group business is handled via conference calls. WG members receive conference call notices and other pertinent information in a timely manner before each call. Meetings are usually a combination of one or more of the following topics:

• discussion of the need for a new standard
• discussion of potential revision(s) to existing standards
• discussion of comments or negative votes received during balloting
• drafting/writing the sections of an actual document

The technical discussion and debate that takes place during a WG meeting is critical to the 3-A Sanitary Standards and 3-A Accepted Practice development process and will heighten your understanding of the issues on the table, provide a forum for your voice to be heard, and help establish relationships with colleagues throughout your industry.

Get Involved!

If you would like to participate or you know someone else who would be interested in participating on a WG, please download and complete the Work Group Sign-up Form and return to Eric H. Schweitzer. To view the current WG rosters click here.

Status of 3-A Sanitary Standards and 3-A Accepted Practices Activities Now in Progress

Download a comprehensive Work-in-Progress Status Report Chart on all work now in progress. The status chart is updated on a frequent basis. For more details on work in progress, contact the Working Group chair or 3-A SSI.

Proposals for New Projects

3-A SSI strives to be responsive to industry standardization needs. We welcome requests for new projects, whether a new 3-A Sanitary Standard or a 3-A Accepted Practice, or a revision to bring an existing document into line with changing industry needs.

To request consideration of a new 3-A Sanitary Standard or 3-A Accepted Practice, or amendment to an existing 3-A Sanitary Standard or 3-A Accepted Practice, download and complete the attached 3-A Sanitary Standards and 3-A Accepted Practices Project Proposal Form (DOC). Follow the instructions and e-mail the completed form to Eric Schweitzer, at erics@3-a.org. Please be sure to submit the exact wording you would like to see in the 3-A Sanitary Standard or 3-A Accepted Practice, if possible. If you need assistance, you may contact Eric Schweitzer for guidance. Your proposal will be evaluated by the 3-A Steering Committee and, if approved, will be forwarded to the appropriate Working Group for further development. Your contact information will also be added to the Working Group so you will be afforded the opportunity to participate. It is appropriate for the proponent to be active, and possibly even chair the task group, so you will be invited to participate.

WORK GROUP Calendar

Click for the Work Group calendar of meetings and events.

3-A SSI Procedures

3-A SSI maintains accreditation from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a Standards Developer Organization. 3-A SSI operates in accordance with these Procedures for the Development and Maintenance of 3-A Sanitary Standards and 3-A Accepted Practices.
Guidance Document for the Development of 3-A Sanitary Standards and Accepted Practices with Text for Criteria.

These Procedures provide: 1) a concise overview of the role and the function of the 3-A Steering Committee as it operates within the ANSI voluntary consensus system; and 2) criteria for the 3-A Steering Committee and others for developing American National Standards, according to rules that 3-A SSI must observe in order to operate as an ANSI-accredited Standards Developing Organization.