The Pro Codes Act Remains a Threat to Safety Standards

As you may recall in last month’s edition of Policy Impact, we discussed HR 1631, the Pro Codes Act, and the damaging impact this bill would have on safety standards.  Congress considered this legislation on suspension of the rules, and without a congressional hearing or other opportunities for Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) to express their concerns over the impact this bill would have on safety standards worldwide. 

 
Fortunately, strong education and advocacy efforts led by ASME and other leading SDOs helped defeat the bill and stop it from advancing to the Senate. But advocates of this bill continue their efforts to rush it through Congress without input from leading SDOs and other concerned parties.   

 
The Pro Codes Act mandates that SDOs like ASME and others provide their intellectual property in the form of standards on the internet for free if any part of this standard is incorporated by reference into law by a federal, state or local government. If the SDO does not comply, the penalty is loss of copyright. Because many of these not-for-profit SDOs rely solely on their standards sales to fund the development of their standards, the loss of copyright would destroy the ability of SDOs to produce the safety standards we rely on.  
 
This means the standards that protect the American people and enable our economy to thrive will suffer irrevocable harm from the unintended consequences of this legislation.   

ASME is working to educate its members across the nation about the threats this legislation poses to the standards industry. You can learn more about this and what you can do to help by visiting the website at stopprocodesact.com. 

 
The Pro Codes Act is opposed by nearly every major American SDO, and as the unintended consequences of this bill are realized, the opposition grows. You can play a role in helping to stop this legislation.  

Visit stopprocodesact.com and make your voice heard.