The 2026 Standards Sprint: High Impact, Zero Paperwork

Let’s be honest: when you hear the words "standards committee," you probably think of endless calendar invites, circular debates, and a mountain of administrative "homework."

At 3-A SSI, we knew that if we wanted the best minds in the industry at the table, we had to change the game. For our 2026 Working Group Portfolio, we’ve traded the old-school committee grind for a disciplined, technical-first experience.

Here is what it’s actually like to be part of a 2026 3-A SSI Working Group:

1. You Bring the Brains, We Bring the Binder

We know your time is your most valuable asset. That’s why every one of our five new working groups—from Conveyors to Silo Tanks —will have a dedicated coordinator. Think of them as your technical project manager. They handle the scheduling, the minutes, the draft versioning, and the logistical "noise." Your job? To show up and provide the technical "reality check" that keeps food safety standards practical and scientifically sound.

2. A Disciplined Path to December 2026

There is nothing more frustrating than a project with no end date. Our 2026 working groups will work on a disciplined timeline. We aren't here to reinvent the wheel for a decade; we are here to refine, align, and publish. With a firm target of December 2026, every 90-minute meeting is a purposeful step toward the finish line.

3. The"Power of Threes"

A great standard isn’t written by a crowd; it’s written by a balanced team. Each working group will have 9 voting members – a "tri-partite" blend of:

• Fabricators (The innovators who build it)
• Processors (The experts who run it)
• Regulators (The pros who enforce it)

This ensures that every voice carries weight and every decision is a true consensus. It’s a peer-to-peer environment where you aren't just a face in a Zoom grid—you are a key architect of industry safety.

"We heard the industry clearly: experts want to contribute, but they need a defined finish line. 3-A SSI is asking for your technical expertise, not your paperwork." —Meri Beth Wojtaszek, Executive Director

Ready to Join the Sprint?

The 2026 working groups will update four key standards and one Accepted Practice:

• Silo-Type Tanks (22-08)
• Non-Coil Type Batch Processors (25-03)
• Disc-Type Valves (57-02)
• Mechanical Conveyors for Dry Products (41-03)
• Supplying Air Under Pressure (604-05)

Don’twait—applications close April 27! Whether you’re an engineer looking to protect your design innovations, a processor ensuring your plant stays efficient, or a regulator keeping the field defensible, we want your voice in the mix.

Next Steps

Visit the working group portal to:

1. Register for a Live Info Session: Join 3-A SSI April 17 at 1:00 p.m. EDT for a review of project roadmaps.
2. Review the Scopes: See specific timelines and requirements.
3. Apply: Applications are due by April 27, 2026.