International Standards Council

Oversees the development, maintenance, and revision of all ASF standards. Independent of ASF operations. Conflict of interest register published.

Role

• Approves all new criteria and any changes to existing criteria
• Manages the six-step revision process
• Ensures each criterion has a cited evidence base before adoption
• Mandatory equity review — assessing applicability across income tiers — on all proposed changes
• Manages the standards appeals procedure
• Publishes the annual standards activity report

Composition

Minimum 7 members from different clinical disciplines, facility types, and geographic regions. No more than 30% from any single country. Majority must have no financial interest in ASF-accredited facilities. Conflict of interest register published annually.

The Six-Step Revision Process

1. Proposal: Any stakeholder may submit a revision proposal
2. Evidence review: Secretariat reviews the evidence base
3. Council review: Vote whether to proceed to consultation
4. Public consultation: 60-day comment period — all submissions published
5. Equity review: Mandatory assessment of applicability across income tiers
6. Adoption or rejection: Council votes, decision published with reasoning

Standards Development → Document Library →