The ANS Standards Committee is responsible for determining the need for new and revised standards and for the development and maintenance of standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems and facilities involved in or utilizing nuclear technology. The scope of the Standards Committee includes, but is not limited to, the following specific subjects:

1. Nuclear criticality safety
2. Definitions of technical terminology used in the nuclear field
3. Facilities for using radioactive isotopes and remote handling of radioactive materials
4. Research reactors and critical facilities
5. Reactor physics and radiation shielding
6. Utilization of computer programs in the nuclear field
7. Siting requirements for nuclear facilities
8. Nuclear power plant design, including safety requirements and plant system criteria
9. Reactor operation and operator training and selection
10. Fuel design, handling and storage
11. Radioactive waste management
12. Fission product behavior

The Standard Committee does not address standards for the application of radiation for medical purposes.

The Standards Committee coordinates all aspects of standards activities and interest within ANS and makes recommendations to the Society on matters concerning standards. It reviews standards being developed by other organizations to ensure consistency between these and ANS standards and selects individuals who are willing to join other related standards-developing committees as liaison personnel to assist in this coordination process.