In 1922, a safety code for grinding wheels was developed to succeed fourteen different regulations from fourteen states regulating the use of abrasive wheels.

This inaugural code stated the requirements for storage, handling, operation and mounting of wheels, and for flanges, hoods, chucks and guards for protection, and for suitable materials. The manufacturers of abrasive products were no longer thwarted by the lack of uniformity in codes, therefore providing for cost savings which benefited the buyers by achieving a better product at less cost.

At the national level, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) relies on "national consensus standard" to help execute its mission. The Department defines national consensus standards as any standard or modification thereof which:

(1) has been adopted and promulgated by a nationally recognized standards-producing organization under procedures whereby it can be determined by the Secretary of Labor or by the Assistant Secretary of Labor that persons interested and affected by the scope or provisions of the standard have reached substantial agreement on its adoption,

(2) was formulated in a manner which afforded an opportunity for diverse views to be considered, and

(3) has been designated as such a standard by the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary, after consultation with other appropriate Federal agencies.