TAC Technical Committee Resources

Key Administrative Documents for AWS Technical Committees

Rules of Operation of the Technical Activities Committee

This document explains how technical committees function within the AWS standards program. These rules are accredited by ANSI and must be strictly followed by committees, committee members, and AWS staff. These rules explain the process by which standards are initiated, reviewed, revised, and ultimately approved. It also explains the operations of technical committees including election of officers, officer term limits, appointment of members, responsibilities of members, appeals, meeting procedures, and more.

Technical Activities Committee Policy Manual

This document lists all active policies of the Technical Activities Committee. These policies augment the Rules or Operation and cover topics such as conferences, publicity, terms and definitions, and more.

Specification for the Preparation of American Welding Society Standards

This document explains how AWS draft standards shall be prepared including typesetting and publishing requirements. It lists essential and optional components of AWS standards, establishes a structure and organization of draft content, minimum resolution requirements for submitted figures or photos, and more. The purpose of this document it to make uniform the appearance, structure, organization, and quality of AWS standards.

Policy on Authority to Speak or Act for the American Welding Society
Policy for American Welding Society Written Communications

These policies, together, apply to all AWS members, individuals serving on AWS committees including technical committees, and AWS staff. Any statement or position supported and sanctioned by AWS as a society must go through the proper authorization. No single individual, regardless of their position or office within AWS, has the authority to make a statement on behalf of the society.

Code of Conduct for AWS Technical Committee Members

The AWS technical committees are at the core of AWS’s mission to be the leading professional society in the area of welding and joining. Further, the dedication of members of AWS technical committees is vital to the continuing work and productivity of the committees and to the viability and relevance of AWS itself. It is therefore necessary that the AWS technical committees function in an atmosphere of openness, cooperation, and efficiency. It is with this in mind, that AWS’s technical committees have adopted a code of conduct.

AWS Intellectual Property Policy

This document explains that ownership and use of AWS's Intellectual Property are vital to the ability of AWS to fulfill its mission. AWS owns and maintains the rights to its Intellectual Property; it is the responsibility of AWS's Board of Directors, staff, members, and others who participate in the creation of AWS IP to protect these valuable assets and ensure that they are used in accordance with this Policy. By participation in an AWS committees, you are agreeing to transfer and assign any and all interest you possess or may possess, including copyright, in the development or creation of AWS standards or AWS Intellectual Property to AWS.