ANSI addresses federal agency involvement in standardization.

Press Release Summary:



Federal Register notice issued by NIST, on behalf of NSTC Sub-Committee on Standards, invites interested parties to provide perspectives on effectiveness of federal agency participation in development and implementation of standards and conformity assessment activities. Sub-Committee seeks to develop information on how Federal agencies may engage more effectively in U.S. standardization system in manner that is consistent with National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995.



Original Press Release:



NSTC, ANSI Seek Input on Federal Agency Involvement in Standardization Activities



A Federal Register notice issued today by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), on behalf of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Sub-Committee on Standards (SOS), invites interested parties to provide their perspectives on the effectiveness of federal agency participation in the development and implementation of standards and conformity assessment activities and programs.

The input received will inform the development of case studies examining the effectiveness of federal agency participation in standard-setting efforts led by the private sector. The Sub-Committee seeks to develop information on how Federal agencies may engage more effectively in the U.S. standardization system in a manner that is consistent with the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-119. Comments to NIST are due by February 7, 2011.

Forging an Even Stronger Public-Private Partnership

In October, ANSI submitted an input document to the NSTC compiled from comments and suggestions submitted from a broad cross-section of its membership, Forging an Even Stronger Public-Private Partnership.

The document outlines ways that the Sub-Committee can strengthen its collaboration with the private sector standardization community to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. industry, protect the environment, and assure public health and safety.

Throughout the document, ANSI encourages the Subcommittee to build upon the success of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA), especially in areas of strategic national importance where technology and policy intersect.

As the coordinator of the U.S. standards and conformity assessment system, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) will develop a consensus response on behalf of the standardization community. ANSI members and other interested stakeholders are encouraged to send comments for inclusion by January 14, 2011.

In particular, the Sub-Committee seeks to consider federal engagement in standards activities supporting the following national priorities: 1) smart grid; 2) health information technology; 3) cyber security; 4) emergency communications interoperability; 5) radioactivity detectors and radiation monitors; and 6) other technologies involving significant federal participation in standards setting.

Issues impacting U.S. competitiveness, such as the interplay of standards with intellectual property, competition, and innovation, are also significant considerations.

The Sub-Committee seeks perspectives on:
  • the effectiveness of federal agency coordination with the private sector
  • the adequacy and availability of federal resources
  • the effectiveness of the methods federal agencies have used to engage in standards-setting activities by identifying which methods have enhanced or limited the public-private standards-setting processes
  • other issues that arise and are considered during the standards setting process which impact the process, timeliness, adoption, and use of the resulting standards

    The full Federal Register notice is available here.

    To Submit Comments for ANSI Federation Response

    Comments should be submitted by January 14, 2011, to nstccomments@ansi.org with the subject line "Feedback for Sub-Committee on Standards."

    To Submit Comments to NIST

    Comments should be sent by February 7, 2011, to SOS_RFI@nist.gov with the subject line "Standardization feedback for Sub-Committee on Standards."

    For a history of ANSI's engagement with the NSTC, see the following news items:

    ANSI Submits Input Document on Public-Private Collaboration to the NSTC Subcommittee on Standards, October 13, 2010

    ANSI Webinar Discusses Input to New NSTC Subcommittee on Standards, May 24, 2010

    ANSI Invites Participation in Webinar on Engagement with the New Subcommittee on Standards of the National Science and Technology Council, May 10, 2010

    ANSI Hosts Administration Leaders for Introduction to New NSTC Standards Subcommittee, April 13, 2010

    ANSI to Host Administration Leaders for Meeting on Public-Private Collaboration, April 8, 2010
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