ASHRAE, along with other non-profit Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), announced the continued endorsement of bipartisan legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate to protect the copyrights of standards.

March 16, Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the Pro Codes Act (S.835) in the Senate, with Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) joining as original co-sponsors. The bipartisan bill will preserve copyright protection of codes and standards when they are incorporated by reference into federal regulations, state laws, or municipal regulations.  

"The rigorous, consensus-based standards developed by ASHRAE and other SDOs are essential to public health, sustainability, safety, and security," said 2022-23 ASHRAE President Farooq Mehboob, Fellow ASHRAE. "ASHRAE proudly supports this legislation and will continue our work to provide vital standards for adoption or incorporation by reference – another step towards realizing our vision of a healthy and sustainable built environment for all."

The bill states that the U.S. benefits greatly from the work of private standards development organizations with expertise in highly specialized areas.

Read S.835 in its entirety, here.