The Comisión Panamericana de Normas Técnicas (COPANT), or Pan American Standards Commission, is a key regional standards organization uniting national standards bodies from countries across the Americas. COPANT traces its origins to 1949, when the Pan American Committee on Technical Standards (CPANT) was founded in São Paulo, Brazil. In 1964, following a General Assembly decision in New York, the organization adopted its current name, COPANT.

COPANT’s mission is to enhance cooperation and foster the development of standardization activities across its member bodies. By aligning standards across the Americas, COPANT facilitates trade and economic integration, boosting the region’s global competitiveness. To achieve these goals, COPANT operates through its Assembly of Members, Board of Directors, and Executive Secretariat, headquartered in Guatemala. The Executive Secretariat, oversees administrative functions in line with COPANT’s statutes and Assembly resolutions.

A central component of COPANT’s work is the General Assembly, which serves as the primary forum for decision-making and strategic planning among members. This annual event includes formal meetings, thematic sessions, and networking opportunities, enabling representatives to engage on key standardization topics, share knowledge, and address regional challenges. Events during COPANT Week offer structured sessions that focus on current trends, supporting COPANT’s mission to harmonize standards and strengthen integration across the Americas.

COPANT also collaborates with other international standardization organizations, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), ensuring that standards adopted in the Americas are globally relevant. This alignment facilitates international acceptance and economic opportunities for the region’s goods and services. Beyond trade facilitation, COPANT emphasizes sustainability and environmental protection, addressing global challenges such as resource efficiency and climate change.

For further insights into COPANT’s initiatives, governance, and the impact of its standardization activities, please visit their official website.