Standards FAQs

All IICRC Standards: Volunteers Wanted information is available  HERE.

If IICRC is seeking Standards Consensus Body Members or Volunteers, we will post information on this webpage, with a link to the Online Standards Application. Check the website regularly for new opportunities to serve on a Consensus Body, as they become available. You can also review the IICRC Standards list at the bottom for specific information for each Standard.

ANSI/IICRC Standards are voluntary consensus based Standards that are accepted as the Standard of Care in the industry. Those who participate have a vote on the Standard and can influence what is included and what is not. Participation gives you a voice in the development of the Standard.

ANSI/IICRC Standards summarize most of the significant and important procedures and methodologies, while IICRC Reference Guides restate and further explain those procedures and methodologies, and provide additional background information, which supports the Standard. IICRC is no longer developing or revising Reference Guides. These are considered to be historical documents.

For a summary of the ANSI/IICRC Standards Development Process click  HERE.

The IICRC offers certification exams to professionals who work in the Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration industries, and the Institute publishes Standards which are approved by the American National Standards Institute. However, the Institute does not respond to technical questions, as such inquiries are most appropriately addressed by competent professionals who work in the field. Therefore, the Institute recommends that you either locate a IICRC Certified Firm who may be able to assist you; or you may purchase a copy of an IICRC Standard from the IICRC Webstore. For nontechnical questions please email: Standards@iicrcnet.org.

IICRC Standards (all current and historical Standards and Reference Guides, bundle subscriptions, and organizational subscriptions) are also available through the purchase of Standards Subscriptions.

For more information on the Standards Subscription, click HERE.

Anyone is welcome to purchase more than one Subscription at: https://iicrc.gilmoreglobal.com

IICRC now offers Organizational Subscriptions (two or more subscriptions), and Bundle Subscriptions. Bulk discounts on subscription orders are available for quantities of 10 or more. Each subscription order should be used by a single person within the company. Companies can assign subscriptions to individuals within their company. If any subscriptions purchased as part of an Organizational Subscription need to be re-assigned, contact Gilmore Global at iicrc@gilmore.ca with first and last names and company name. Please note that one Subscription should only be used by one individual user. 

Sharing digital Standards is not allowed, as each digital purchase is intended to be used by one person. You may download the Bookshelf app on up to two devices for offline access.

The digital Standards are secured with Bookshelf for copyright protection. This is a standard practice for high value publications.

Yes, all ANSI/IICRC Standards can be purchased at a discounted rate. Please visit the Webstore at: https://iicrc.gilmoreglobal.com for details.

Standards orders related issues (e.g. cannot download e-book, did not receive order, received wrong order, purchased wrong Standard, request for refund, question regarding your order) should go to iicrc@gilmore.ca, or call 800-795-6661. (Please provide the order number if applicable.)

Yes. IICRC published the First Edition of the ANSI/IICRC S700 Standard for Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration in 2025. For information on the S700 Standard or to purchase the Standard, visit:  https://iicrc.org/s700

As one of the first organizations to serve as a resource to others in the inspection, cleaning and restoration industry, we set out to create a set of best practices – or standards – to help bridge our industries together. Our Standards serve to develop common, industry-accepted language and terminology that enables us to more universally discuss concepts and procedures regarding cleaning, inspection and restoration. Through this discussion, we can grow the industry together.

ANSI stands for the American National Standards Institute. They are an organization that oversees and verifies the development and use of national consensus Standards in many different industries. If a Standard is accredited by ANSI, it means ANSI has recognized and verified that the requirements for due process and consensus have been met by IICRC. We voluntarily choose to follow ANSI policies and procedures to develop the highest quality standards possible.

ANSI Accreditation means that a standard is created using openness and fairness as it relates to the development processes, and that the committees follow principles of consensus, balance, and lack of dominance in developing the Standards. Rules and processes are followed to ensure that a Standard doesn’t represent or favor one industry, company or person, and that a standard is created using a balance of interests for the good of the industry.

Simply put, Standards work. Standards are created to find the best possible method of performing a specified task. The methods are presented by industry experts, debated, agreed upon through consensus, and finally reviewed extensively by industry peers to ensure they are fair and work as intended.

Standards ensure the method of cleaning, restoration or inspection being performed is in fact the best and most effective way. Standards reduce redundancy, errors, time spent on a job and costs.

Customers demand quality, reliability, safety and effectiveness – all results that come from following industry Standards. By promoting that you follow IICRC Standards, you are demonstrating your expertise to customers and prospects to drive confidence and credibility in your services.

Anyone who is affected is invited to participate in the development of IICRC Standards. As part of the ANSI rules, consensus bodies must be made up of a “balanced committee.” That means the committee needs to have an equal number of representatives from the following three categories:

1. Producer: A person or organization producing, manufacturing, or supplying the services covered by the subject matter of the Standard (e.g., a water damage restoration contractor utilizing the S500 Standard or a carpet cleaning company using the S100 Standard).

1. User: A person or organization using the services covered by the subject matter of the Standard, rather than producing or selling them. Where appropriate, additional user sub-categories should be considered, including but not limited to the following:

user-consumer; user-commercial; user-industrial; user-institutional; user- government; user-labor (e.g., a homeowner having their carpet cleaned referencing the S100).

1. General Interest: A person or organization directly and materially affected and otherwise interested in the services or the subject matter of the standard (e.g., an equipment or chemical manufacturer, academic, or attorney). General Interest covers any business or interest not covered by the other two interest categories.

It means the standard is still under development. BSR stands for ANSI’s Board of Standards Review, which is in charge of reviewing and approving standards as “American National Standards.” All new standards under development are designated as BSR-IICRC until they receive final approval from ANSI and can be published.