FAQ's and Links

1. What standards will API be updating this year?
2. How do I avoid anti-trust concerns?
3. What are API's Procedures for Standards Development?
4. What are the definitions of "Shall" and "Should"?
5. What is the United States Standards Strategy?

Technical Inquiries

6. What is a technical inquiry?
7. How do I submit a technical inquiry?
8. How do I know if any technical inquiries exist for a particular standard?

Committee Information

9. How do I participate on API standards committees?
10. What is the value of standards?
11. What is the schedule for upcoming Standards Meetings?

Obtaining API Standards

12. How do I search the API catalog?
13. How do I order an API standard?
14. Who should I contact at API for additional information on a standard?

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Standards Development

1. What standards will API be updating this year?
Each year, API updates current standards, creates new standards, and adopts back existing standards. Visit our Updated Standards page for a listing of the projected updated standards by industry segment.

2. How do I avoid anti-trust concerns?
API’s Office of the General Council has put together guidelines for Anti-Trust Compliance.  These guidelines explain the specific nature of each Federal Anti-Trust Law and State Trade Regulation Statute.  Anti-trust laws guard against such circumstances as price discrimination, boycotts, and derogatory comments against competing industry enterprises.  For more details on anti-trust laws, regulations and compliance, please view the Anti-Trust Compliance Guide.

3. What are API's Procedures for Standards Development?
API, as approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), has developed a document that details the process of API standards development. This document provides guidance on the development, revisions and interpretations API standards, as well as the development of committees and designation of each document into standards, recommended practices, specification or codes.

Please use this link to view the API Procedures for Standards Development in full.

4. What are the definitions of "Shall" and "Should"?

Shall: As used in a standard, “shall” denotes a minimum requirement in order to conform to the specification.

Should: As used in a standard, “should” denotes a recommendation or that which is advised but not required in order to conform to the specification.

5. What is the United States Standards Strategy?
”United States Standards Strategy establishes a framework that can be used by all interested parties to further advance trade issues in the global marketplace, enhance consumer health and safety, meet stakeholder needs and, as appropriate, advance U.S. viewpoints in the regional and international arena.” (ANSI website, www.ansi.org).

For more specific information on the US Standards Strategy, its history and implementation, please visit the ANSI website.

Technical Inquiries

6. What is a technical inquiry?
A technical inquiry (also known as a request for an interpretation) is a question submitted to API on the meaning of a requirement in a standard.

7. How do I submit a technical inquiry?
API will only consider written e-mail requests for interpretations. These requests must include the following:

• Standard number and name.
• Standard edition (including addenda) and year.
• Specific section number in question.
• Any background information that may be helpful in understanding the question.

The inquiry shall involve a single subject or closely related subjects. The inquiry shall be stated in a condensed and precise question format. The inquiry shall be composed so that "yes" or "no" (perhaps with provisos) would be a suitable reply. This inquiry statement should be technically and editorially correct. The inquirer shall state what they believe the standard requires. If in the inquirer's opinion a revision to the standard is needed, they shall provide recommended wording for consideration by the responsible committee. Responses to inquiries can take up to 12 months.

8. How do I know if any technical inquiries exist for a particular standard?
API has posted some commonly asked technical inquiries based on industry segment. Please use the links below to see if your inquiry is identified on the site.

Exploration & Production Equipment
Monogram Spec. Q1 Quality System
Petroleum Marketing & Distribution
Petroleum Measurement
Refinery Equipment & Aboveground Storage Tanks
Safety & Fire Protection
Transportation Pipelines

Committee Information

9. How do I participate on API standards committees?
API standards are developed by Subcommittees and task groups made up of industry experts. These groups identify the need, then develop, approve, and maintain standards and other technical publications. New projects must be justified by valid business and safety needs. The standards-writing subcommittees and task groups are open to representatives of groups that are materially affected by the standards. These include oil and natural gas companies, manufacturers and suppliers, contractors and consultants, and representatives of government agencies and academia.

API standards-writing groups do their work at meetings (typically two per year) and by mail, fax, phone, e-mail, and electronic collaborative authoring. API corporate membership is not a requirement for participation in the process. Representatives of organizations most impacted by the standards being developed (“materially affected parties”) may attend standards-writing meetings, and they may review drafts of standards and have their comments considered.

View more information about the benefits of committee participation and who to contact.

10. What is the value of standards?
Standards enhance the safety of industry operations, assure quality, help keep costs down, reduce waste, and minimize confusion. They help speed acceptance and bring products to market quicker. And they avoid having to reinvent the wheel every time a product is manufactured.

Since 1924, the American Petroleum Institute has been a cornerstone in establishing and maintaining standards for the worldwide oil and natural gas industry. Our work helps the industry invent and manufacture superior products consistently, provide critical services, ensure fairness in the marketplace for businesses and consumers alike, and promotes the acceptance of products and practices globally.

View more information on the value of standards

11. What is the schedule for upcoming Standards Meetings?
Each year, API hosts standards meetings that bring together the best minds in the business.  For a list of scheduled meetings, please visit the meetings website.

Obtaining API Standards

12. How do I search the API catalog?
The publications catalog can be searched by visiting the publications section of the API website. The publications catalog can be searched online, or you may download a PDF version of the printed catalog.

13. How do I order an API standard?
API standards can be ordered through one of our distributors in either print or electronic format.  To search and/or order a publication, please visit the publications section of our website.

14. Who should I contact at API for additional information on a standard?
Please view the contact list and click on the item of interest to contact API.