Why Join?
The Optics and Electro-Optics Standards Council is seeking experts in optical design and manufacturing for participation in both national and international standards development efforts.
At the national level, the OEOSC manages the Accredited Standards Committee for Optics, ASC OP, which is responsible for all activities in Optics and Photonics standards except for those relating to Ophthalmics. This includes active Task Forces for materials, imperfections, drawing notations, IR materials, and laser damage standards.
At the international level (ISO), OEOSC manages the US Technical Advisory Group (or TAG) to TC172 for Optics and Photonics. The TAG is broken into subcommittees for fundamental standards, materials and coatings, telescopic systems, microscopes, and endoscopes, surveying instruments, ophthalmic optics and instruments, and laser and electro-optics standards.
An individual’s commitment is pretty open; you can do as much or as little as your schedule permits. Typically the sub-committees or task forces have one or two working meetings a year (virtually attended) but do most of the work by correspondence. Each committee circulates drafts to its members for standards under development, and all the experts in each national delegation can submit comments and suggest changes.
Finally, OEOSC members are involved in teaching short courses, writing papers and books, presenting at colleges, and otherwise spreading the word about the details in – and benefits of using – standards. Each new member is provided a mentor to help them get up to speed in this fascinating industry.
The benefit of joining OEOSC is significant. Not only do you get to help craft the standards that are so important to the industry, but you also get to interact with experts in your field from across the country and around the globe, in a fairly tight-knit community of industry leaders. Educational activities provide opportunities to connect with faculty, students, industry, and governmental agencies. OEOSC also offers all of its members a 20% discount on any of the standards available on the ANSI Webstore.