Brief History of Voluntary Standards Published by the U.S. Department of Commerce

Before 1966, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) published two distinct types of voluntary “Commodity Standards”:

• Simplified Practice Recommendations (SPR or R): Standardized lists of high-demand stock items to help businesses choose off-the-shelf products rather than ordering custom, expensive inventory.
• Commercial Standards (CS): Detailed technical specifications for materials, dimensions, quality levels, and testing methods to ensure product compliance.

Evolution into Voluntary Product Standards (VPS)

Over time, revisions to Simplified Practice Recommendations blurred the lines between the two types. To streamline operations, the Department of Commerce consolidated both into a single program under a unified name: Voluntary Product Standards (VPS).

Today, all voluntary standards published under Department of Commerce regulations (15 CFR Part 10) are classified as Voluntary Product Standards.

Purpose and Administration

Voluntary Product Standards establish nationally recognized requirements for product quality, performance, and safety, giving manufacturers, distributors, and consumers a shared baseline of understanding. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) administers the VPS Program on a fee-for-service basis.

Historical Withdrawn and Superseded DOC Commercial Standards (CS) and Product Standards (PS)

• Withdrawn Commercial Standards (CS)
• Withdrawn Product Standards (PS)