U.S. Standards System: NIST (Government)

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is a non-regulatory government agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. Founded in 1901, it is the national measurement (metrology) institute for the United States.

According to the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA) (Public Law 104-113), NIST is tasked with coordinating the government’s technical standards activities and conformity assessment activities with those of the private sector (see Government Use of Standards). Although NIST does not have control or oversight over other federal agencies in their standardization activities, the Institute provides guidance to federal agencies on the participation in and use of voluntary standards. By participating in international and U.S based standardization activities, NIST experts contribute considerable technical input into the development of voluntary consensus standards.

NIST’s National Center for Standards and Certification Information (NCSCI) also serves as the U.S. WTO/TBT enquiry point.

  Learn more about TBT enquiry points

NIST is directed by U.S. law (i.e. the NTTAA, Public Law 104-113) to bring together Federal agencies, as well as State and local governments, to achieve greater reliance on voluntary standards and decreased dependence on in-house (i.e. government-developed) standards.

  Learn more about the government’s use of private sector standards for regulation and procurement.

The role of U.S. Regulators