ANSI facilitates the development of American National Standards by establishing consensus among qualified groups. ANSI-accredited developers are committed to supporting the development of national and, in many cases international standards, addressing the critical trends of technological innovation, marketplace globalization and regulatory reform. The primary goal of the ANSI Federation is the enhancement of global competitiveness of U.S. business and the American quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems and promoting their integrity. The Institute represents the interests of its nearly 1,400 company, organization, government agency, institutional and international members through its headquarters in New York City, and its satellite office in Washington, D.C.