It’s worth the effort
Credibility is a tricky thing. You can have it, nurture it and perpetuate it, using best practices and with the best intentions. Yet there is something about a third-party endorsement that makes you stand out. So, we set out to reach the highest standard available for a standards development organization. And we are very proud. If you missed the news, IREC is now accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a developer of American national standards.
Credibility is a tricky thing. You can have it, nurture it and perpetuate it, using best practices and with the best intentions. Yet there is something about a third-party endorsement that makes you stand out.
A while back, we decided that since IREC is one of the nation’s leaders in building a quality, industry-ready workforce through the establishment and promotion of credentials, we wanted to “do what we say.” We want to march to our own marching orders with our own credential and standards held high.
So, we set out to reach the highest standard available for a standards development organization. And we are very proud. If you missed the news, IREC is now accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a developer of American national standards.
Exactly what does this mean?
It means that we follow ANSI’s 20 pages of essential requirements. It means that we make sure that our consensus process is transparent involving a balance of stakeholder groups. It means that we invite participation by all directly affected by the standard. It means that ANSI is watching our process and operations.
Laure-Jeanne Davignon, IREC Director of Credentialing, led IREC’s efforts to become accredited. Through her leadership and attention to detail, she navigated IREC’s application and review process. She tapped subject matter expertise. She makes sure IREC is doing it right.
Our work continues. With guidance and oversight from IREC’s Standards Committee, we will move IREC’s 14732 Standard (General Requirements for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Certificate Programs) through the process of becoming designated as an American National Standard. Our other Standards will follow.
Lots of work behind and lots ahead. We know it is worth every bit of our investment.
We believe this is much more than an important step for IREC, or even the credibility of our standards. It’s another sign that the bar is raised for the energy efficiency and renewable energy industry.
I invite you to join us in celebrating this new mark of excellence – it symbolically belongs to us all who work to make a renewable difference in our energy world.
