Standards Development Process
The International Code Council adheres to openness and transparency in our Standards development process. All of our Standards committee meetings are open to the public. Any interested party can participate in committee meetings and be considered for committee membership.
Receiving accreditations from the Standards Council of Canada and the American National Standards Institute, help the Code Council aim to ensure consistency and fairness in the standard development process.
Primer on the Standards Development Process
View the Primer that provides information on the standards development process – specifically for stakeholders interested in getting involved in the Code Council’s standards activities. Also see this 5 minute video that highlights the Code Council’s work in this important area.
Standards Development Policy, Procedures and Committee Application
Official ICC policies can be downloaded from ICC's Corporate Governance page.
- Click here to view ICC's ANSI Approved Consensus Procedures for developing standards.
- Click here to view ICC's SCC Accredited Consensus Procedures for Canadian standards development.
Please see the ICC Call for Committees page to access ICC's online committee application process.
Webinar: Industry Standard Advances
Feel free to visit ICC Learn Live periodically for webinars with a broad overview and explanation of the Code Council's codes and standards developing process. Below is a past webinar by Karl Aittaniemi, P.E., Director of Standards Development.
- Webinar video (password: 4xEW5Hba)
- Webinar PowerPoints
Often Asked Questions
Very important. Standards are developed to ensure products, services and systems are safe, reliable and consistently perform the way they are intended to. They establish common values that define safety and quality requirements. ICC Standards are developed to address building industry challenges as they relate to compliance with the I-Codes. Among ICC there are 56 other standards developing organizations that have standards referenced in the International Building Code alone.
Standards are good for industry and trade associations often note an improvement in business when standards are introduced. Participation is an opportunity to drive your particular industry.
The Code Council has written Consensus Procedures Accredited by ANSI and SCC to outline the development of standards in the most time efficient manner. Development can include both existing standards on a 5-year revision cycle as well as brand new standards to address new challenges faced by the building industry. Participants are expected to be prepared to lend their experience and expertise in the creation of the technical content. Committee meetings and work groups created by the committee meet regularly until the new standard is published or the current edition is updated. Depending on the scope of the standard, a revision cycle can range from a few months to 2 years.
The I-Codes set minimum requirements but may not necessarily detail how to achieve those requirements. A consensus standard that is referenced in the I-Codes provides that means so long as it is written in mandatory language that can be enforceable. In other words, it can offer a path to compliance. A lack of regulatory documentation is a primary reason for the development of a standard to help authorities having jurisdiction.
Yes. The Code Council was Accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) in May of 2023 and can develop National Standards of Canada. Areas of focus will pertain to the built environment and especially accessibility as part of the Canadian Governmental mandate for accessible and useable building and facilities.
List of ICC Standards
The Code Council is very active in standards development. Many inquiries on the status of ICC Standards are routinely received by staff. Below is a current list of ANSI Approved ICC Standards. Also included are ICC Standards that are co-branded and/or co-developed with other ANSI Accredited SDOs. A great source for specific news on the standards under development is on the individual standard committee’s webpage. Also look for regular updates published in the ICC Building Safety Journal.
- ICC 300-2023 – Standard on Bleachers, Folding and Telescopic Seating, and Grandstands (IS-BLE)
- ICC 400-2022 – Standard on the Design and Construction of Log Structures (IS-LOG)
- ICC/NSSA 500-2023 – Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters (IS-STM)
- ICC 600-2020 – Standard for Residential Construction in High Wind Regions (MHRRC)
- ICC 700-2020 – National Green Building Standard
- ASABE/ICC 802-2020 – Landscape Irrigation Sprinkler and Emitter Standard (IS-IEDC)
- CSA B805/ICC 805-2022 – Rainwater Harvesting Systems (IS-RCSDI)
- ICC 900/SRCC 300-2020 – Solar Thermal System Standard (IS-STSC)
- ICC 901/SRCC 100-2020 – Solar Thermal Collector Standard (IS-STSC)
- ICC 902/PHTA 902/SRCC 400-2020 – Solar Pool and Spa Heating System Standard (IS-STSC)
- ICC 903/SRCC 500-2024 – Solar Hot Water Storage Tank Standard (IS-STSC)
- ICC 1100-2019 – Standard for Spray-Applied Polyurethane Foam Plastic Insulation (IS-FPI)
- ICC/MBI 1200-2021 – Standard for Off-site Construction: Planning, Design, Fabrication and Assembly (IS-OSMC)
- ICC/MBI 1205-2021 – Standard for Off-site Construction: Inspection and Regulatory Compliance (IS-OSMC)
- ICC/MBI 1210-2023 – Standard for Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Systems, Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation in Off-site Construction (IS-OSMC)(IS-OSMEP)
- ICC 1300-2024 – Standard for the Vulnerability-Based Seismic Assessment and Retrofit of One- and Two-Family Dwellings (IS-RSARC)
- ICC A117.1-2017 – Accessible and Useable Buildings and Facilities (ICC(AS A117))
- RESNET/ICC 301 – Standard for the Calculation and Labeling of the Energy Performance of Low-Rise Residential Buildings Using an Energy Rating Index
- RESNET/ACCA/ICC 310 – Standard for Grading the Installation of HVAC Systems
- RESNET/ICC 380 – Standard for Testing Airtightness of Building Enclosures, Airtightness of Heating and Cooling Air Distribution Systems, and Airflow of Mechanical Ventilation Systems
- RESNET/ICC 850 – Standard Calculation and Labeling of the Water Use Performance of One- and Two- Family Dwellings Using the Water Rating Index
New Standards Under Development
With Intent for ANSI and/or SCC Approval
- ICC 605 – Standard for Residential Construction in Regions with Wildfire Hazard (IS-MHRRC)
- ICC 610 – Standard for Residential Construction in Regions with Seismic Hazard (IS-MHRRC)
- ICC 615 – Standard for Residential Construction in Regions with Tsunami Hazard (IS-MHRRC)
- ICC 815 – Standard for Sizing Water Distribution, Sanitary Drainage and Vent Piping Systems (IS-SWDDV)
- ICC 825 – Private Sewage Disposal Systems (IS-PSDS)
- ICC 1125 – Standard for Classification of Magnesium Oxide Boards in Building and Construction (IS-MGOB)
- ICC 1150 – Standard for 3D Automated Construction Technology for 3D Concrete Walls (IS-3DACT)
- ICC 1155 – Standard for Low-Carbon Alternative Cements used in Concrete (IS-LCCC)
- ICC/THIA 1215 – Design, Construction, Inspection, and Regulation of Tiny Houses for Permanent Occupancy (IS-OSMTH)
- ICC 1425 - Standard for Residential Smart Doors (IS-RSDC)
- ICC 1500 – Standard for Existing Building Safety Inspections (IS-EBSI)
- ICC 1600 – Professional Qualifications Standard for Onsite Direct Potable Water Reuse Systems (IS-PQWR)
- ICC 1670 – Standard for Plumbing Systems in Hospitals and Health-Care Buildings (IS-PSHC)
- ICC 1700 – Professional Qualifications Standard for Hydrogen Systems in the Built Environment (IS-PQHS)
- RESNET/ICC 1450 – Remote Virtual Inspection for Energy and Water Performance in Buildings (IS-ERVI)
- ASHRAE/ICC Standard 240 – Evaluating Greenhouse Gas (GHG) and Carbon Emissions in Building Design, Construction, and Operations (IS-CBC)
- ASC/ICC A118 – Acoustics of the Built Environment (IS-ABEC)
Standards Development & Consensus Committees
Review information on the Code Council's Standards Committees and the development of ICC Standards, including development schedules, committee meeting minutes, Public Comments, Public Input Agendas, Committee Action Reports (CARs), draft documents, and committee lists. Please click button below.
Standards Errata
- Review errata for codes, standards and other products.
- Submit a new Errata.
SCC Accreditation
The International Code Council is the latest standards-developing organization (SDO) to receive accreditation from the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). As a global leader in providing building safety solutions, the International Code Council joins a select group of organizations that contribute to the development of the National Standards of Canada for the benefit of Canadians. The work plan for future Canadian ICC Standards development projects can be found here.
Accréditation CCN
L’International Code Council a reçu l'accréditation du Conseil canadien des normes (CCN) en tant qu'organisme d'élaboration de normes (OEN). En tant que chef de file mondial en matière de solutions de sécurité pour les bâtiments, l'International Code Council se joint à un groupe sélect d'organismes qui contribuent à l'élaboration des Normes nationales du Canada dans l'intérêt des Canadiens. Le plan de travail des projets d'élaboration des normes canadiennes de l'ICC est disponible ici.
ANSI Accreditation
The International Code Council is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a standards developing organization that adheres to ANSI’s Essential Requirements for openness, balance, consensus and due process. Participation of the various stakeholders in an equitable, accessible and responsive environment is key in developing a consensus standard for recognition as an American National Standard.
The Code Council’s experience as a structured platform upon which consensus is achieved from industry stakeholder input places the Code Council in an ideal position as a standards developer. The Code Council also has the capability to augment the resources of other SDO’s seeking to develop standards for their respective industries. With the Code Council’s global membership representing more than 38 countries, its reach touches upon individuals experienced in facets peripheral to the building industry. In other words, the Code Council can develop ANSI-approved standards that go beyond building codes.
The Code Council's Consensus Procedures used to develop ICC Standards were ANSI Approved in August 2021. As a standards developing organization this current version provides the Code Council with a streamlined method to develop Standards in a most time efficient manner.
Have questions about the Standards Process?
Contact Karl Aittaniemi, P.E.
Director of Standards Development at kaittaniemi@iccsafe.org
