Standards Spotlight: The American Petroleum Institute

Founded in 1919 as a standards-setting organization, the American Petroleum Institute (API) plays a pivotal role in the U.S. energy sector. With nearly 600 members, API acts as a national trade association representing oil and natural gas companies, but also as a key standards-setting body for critical components like valves, actuators, regulators and other flow control products. For manufacturers and end users alike, API's influence touches nearly every facet of production, safety and reliability.

API’s membership is broad, encompassing a diverse range of companies including major energy producers, midstream pipeline operators, downstream refiners, engineering and construction firms, OEMs and suppliers of critical components. Valve, actuator and control manufacturers often participate directly in API committees and working groups to ensure their products align with the latest industry demands and safety expectations.

API standards are developed under API’s National Standards Institute accredited process to ensure that the standards are technically sound and rigorous and that their third-party accreditation is easily understood and acceptable not only at the state and federal level, but increasingly globally.

API has developed more than 800 standards and recommended practices that help drive consistency, safety and interoperability across the energy value chain. These standards define materials, dimensions, performance criteria, testing procedures and qualification protocols that ensure valves and actuators meet the rigorous requirements of oil and gas service. A recent report found that API standards are used voluntarily by industry in more than 140 countries.  

For the industrial valve industry, API standards that are common include API 599 (plug valves), API 603 (gate valves), API 608 (ball valves) and API 609 (butterfly valves). API 598 pertains to the testing and inspection of a variety of valve types. Others, like API 615, pertain to a specific application. There are other standards pertaining to the industrial valve industry some that are application specific or related to a certain type of system, and others that are developed for a particular type of valve.

Beyond standards, API’s offers certification programs lend credibility and assurance. The API Monogram Program is a voluntary licensing program that ensures consistent manufacturing to API specifications. Licensed manufacturers may use the API Monogram registered mark on equipment that meets the requirements to its API Spec Q1, an industry-leading quality management standard that meets most of the ISO 9001 requirements as well as additional requirements specific to the oil and gas market.

API also serves as a key voice in policy and regulatory discussions. Through advocacy and public engagement, API works to shape balanced regulations that promote both energy development and environmental protection. The organization’s technical expertise often informs decisions made by OSHA, the Department of Transportation, and other regulatory bodies. Members of API are committed to 13 core elements of API Energy Excellence that were created to unify a cross-industry management system approach to drive operational improvement across the oil and gas industry.

In an industry where failure is not an option, API’s work helps create a common language and set expectations between manufacturers, specifiers, and end users. For companies involved in producing or deploying flow control equipment, understanding and aligning with API’s standards is not just beneficial — it’s essential for staying competitive and compliant in today’s energy marketplace.