After an intensive 3 year process that included the input of multiple stakeholders, the Suri Network led the United States alpaca industry by initiating and adopting its first Suri Breed Standard in 2007 . The Suri Network membership voted on and passed that first breed standard in March of 2007. Most livestock breed standards are revised periodically, so in early 2016 a committee was formed to review and update the Suri Breed Standard.

The Board President appointed Tim Sheets and Linda Kondris as co-chairs, who then recruited members Karl Heinrich, Gail Campbell, DVM, Amanda VandenBosch, and Cheryl Gehly. Randy Coleman, Board member, served as liaison between the Board and the committee.  This committee provided perspective from alpaca judges, fleece experts, long-time alpaca breeders, fiber processors, and an alpaca owner/veterinarian.

The draft of the revised Suri Breed Standard was presented to all Suri Owners for input and comment, the final version was presented to the Suri Membership, and the vote to accept it was made in 2016.