The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Request Feedback This builds on a new draft roadmap for implementing the U.S. Government’s National Standardization Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technologies (USG NSSCET), released Wednesday.
In May 2023, the Biden-Harris administration USG NSSCET releasedThe purpose of the initiative is to strengthen both the U.S. foundation for protecting American consumers’ technology and U.S. leadership and competitiveness in the development of international standards.
To support this strategy, NIST published a Request for Information in the Federal Register in Fall 2023 to solicit public input on how to most effectively implement the USG NSSCET, how to partner with relevant stakeholders, how to remove barriers to participation in the development of international standards, and how to strengthen U.S. Government support for an open, consensus-based, civilian-led international standards system.
The White House described a standard as “a common and recurring set of rules, requirements, guidelines, or characteristics for a product or related processes, practices, or production methods.”
“These enable secure, universal, interoperable technology,” the White House said. “Standards define the requirements that enable cell phones sold in different countries to communicate around the world, that enable bank cards issued in one country to be recognized by ATMs in another, and that allow fuel to be purchased at any gas station to run a car.”
The draft roadmap, released by NIST on June 26, outlines actions and outcomes to increase the federal government’s investment in CET pre-standards development activities, expand participation in CET standards, develop a CET standards-savvy workforce, and ensure inclusiveness and thoroughness in the development of CET standards.
“This strategy is a call to action to build on what has made U.S. standards efforts successful and position the United States to effectively meet new challenges in international standards development,” said NIST Director Laurie LoCascio.
To achieve the goals of the USG NSSCET, the government will need to continue existing coordination efforts, and NIST recommended four immediate actions related to investment, participation, workforce, and integrity and inclusion.
NIST’s draft implementation strategy also outlines seven long-term actions for governments.
- Increase investment in CET research, development, and standardization to maintain U.S. technological leadership.
- Increase support for Federal programs to remove barriers and increase participation of U.S. stakeholders in the development of international standards.
- Strengthen coordination among departments and agencies to maintain and expand participation in standardization.
- Expand communication, information sharing, and other cooperative efforts between government and the private sector.
- Strengthen education efforts to inform current and future standards leaders.
- Increase the representation of the U.S. government and like-minded countries to maintain their influence in the international standardization system.
- It provides critical partnerships and strengthens academic engagement to sustain the global standard innovation ecosystem.
NIST is seeking feedback by July 12 on the accuracy of the 26-page document and how it can further clarify actions that directly advance the U.S. standards system.
