Addendum to the 

Twelfth (2008) Annual Report on 

Federal Agency Use of Voluntary 

Consensus Standards and 

Conformity Assessment 
2

Table of Contents for Supplemental Appendices

1

Appendix D – Individual, Unabridged Departmental Reports 

Department of Agriculture (USDA)............................................................................ 3

Department of Commerce (DOC) ............................................................................... 7

Department of Defense (DoD).................................................................................... 25

Department of Education (ED).................................................................................. 44

Department of Energy (DOE).................................................................................... 46

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ................................................ 52

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)................................................................ 69

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)....................................... 83

Department of the Interior (DOI) ............................................................................. 86

Department of Justice (DOJ)................................................................................... 104

Department of Labor (DOL).................................................................................... 106

Department of State (DOS)...................................................................................... 111

Department of Transportation (DOT).................................................................... 113

Department of the Treasury (TRES) ...................................................................... 121

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)..................................................................... 123

Appendix E – Individual, Unabridged Commission and other Agency Reports.... 126

Access Board (ACCESS).......................................................................................... 126

U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID) ......................................... 129

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).................................................... 130

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)............................................................... 134

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ....................................................... 148

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) .......................................................................... 152

General Services Administration (GSA)................................................................. 154

Government Printing Office (GPO)........................................................................ 158

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).................................... 160

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)..................................... 163

National Science Foundation (NSF) ........................................................................ 166

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) ................................................................ 168

Appendix F – Federal Agency Activities Related to Conformity Assessment......... 172

Appendix G – Federal Agency Activities Related to Use of Private Sector Standards

......................................................................................................................................... 182

Appendix H – The Interagency Committee on Standards Policy (ICSP)................ 201

Appendix I – Publications Related to the National Technology Transfer and 

Advancement Act (NTTAA) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 

Circular A-119............................................................................................................... 203

 1 Note: Appendices A and B are contained in the full report to the Office of Management 

and Budget while there was no Appendix C for FY 08.
3

Appendix D – Individual, Unabridged Departmental Reports 

Note: This appendix contains the unabridged reports submitted to NIST by the Cabinet level 

Departments as they were submitted to NIST. 

Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

The United States Department of Agriculture follows various voluntary consensus 

standards adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies such as the International 

Organization for Standardization (ISO). The benefits of utilizing consistent standards are 

significant. For example, conforming to the international standards adopted by ISO has 

allowed USDA to interface more readily with other industry partners within and outside 

of the United States. They agree on specifications and criteria to be applied consistently 

in the classification of materials, in the manufacture and supply of products, in testing 

and analysis, with sharing data, in terminology and in the provision of services. In this 

way, the standards provide a reference framework, or a common technological language, 

between USDA and USDA stakeholders that facilitates trade and the transfer of 

technology. In utilizing these standards, the time and cost spent in translating and 

converting data are significantly reduced. Standards ensure a high degree of quality in its 

products and procedures, and that they are delivered to customers in a consistent, 

transparent, and timely manner. Using and conforming to standards and embracing 

widely accepted methods, promotes professional credibility and acceptance. In the 

Information Technology area, standards are necessary to provide consistent growth and 

direction to new applications and to change existing applications. 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 1

1. Government Unique Standard: Name: WILDLAND FIRE FOAM Number: 

USDA Forest Service Specification 5100-307; July, 2000 Title: International 

Specification for Fire Suppressant Foam for Wild land Fires, Aircraft or Ground 

Application) (Incorporated: 2005) 

Voluntary Standard 

NFPA 1150 - Standard on Fire-Fighting Foam Chemicals for Class A Fuels in 

Rural, Suburban, and Vegetated Areas. 

Rationale 

Foam fire suppressants contain foaming and wetting agents. The foaming agents 

affect the accuracy of an aerial drop, how fast the water drains from the foam and 

how well the product clings to the fuel surfaces. The wetting agents increase the 

ability of the drained water to penetrate fuels. Foam fire suppressants are supplied 

as wet concentrates. 
4

This standard was developed with international cooperation for Class A Foam 

used in wildland fire suppression situations and equipment. Standard created by 

the USDA Forest Service in cooperation with the Department of Interior (DOI), 

the State of California, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the 

Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center. 

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) does have a standard for Class 

A Foam, (NFPA 1150 - Standard on Fire-Fighting Foam Chemicals for Class A 

Fuels in Rural, Suburban, and Vegetated Areas). The Forest Service has not 

chosen to utilize NFPA 1150 as it is designed specifically for application by 

municipal fire agencies in the wildland-urban interface, utilizing apparatus and 

situations that they are likely to encounter. The Forest Service’s GUS for foam 

products is specific to use by wildland fire equipment and situations that are 

unique, e.g. helicopter use of foams, remote storage situations, and varied quality 

of water sources in the wildland settings. The agency feels this standard more 

accurately reflects the needs and mission of the federal wildland fire suppression 

agencies. 

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 37

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: 

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 39

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc 3-A SSI

3A/NSF International Meat and Poultry Equipment Standards 3A/NSF

American Association of Cereal Chemists AACC

American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists AATCC

American National Standards Institute ANSI
5

American Oil Chemists Society AOCS

American Railway Engineering & Maintenance-of-Way Association AREMA

American Society for Testing and Materials International ASTM

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers ASABE

American Society of Agricultural Engineers ASAE

Analytical Environmental Immunochemical Consortium AEIC

ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board ANAB

AOAC International AOAC

Association of American Seed Control Officials AASCO

Association of Official Analytical Chemists International AOAC

Association of Official Seed Analysts AOSA

Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies AOSCA

Codex Alimentarius Commission CODEX

Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity COP/CBD

Industry-wide Cooperative Meat Identification Standards Committee ICMISC

International Cooperation on Harmonization of Technical 

Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Products VICH

International Dairy Federation IDF

International Electrotechnical Commission IEC

International Organization for Standardization ISO

International Plant Protection Convention/International Standards for 

Phytosanitary Measures IPPC/ISPM

International Seed Testing Association ISTA

International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants UPOV

Meat and Poultry Business-to-Business Data Standards Organization mpXML

National Conference on Weights and Measures NCWM

National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation NACLA

National Fire Protection Association NFPA

National Information Standards Organization NISO

National Institute of Standards and Technology NIST

National Type Evaluation Program NTEP

North American Plant Protection Organization/Regional Standards for 

Phytosanitary Measures NAPPO/RSPM

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD

Project Management Institute PMI

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe UNECE

World Organization for Animal Health OIE
6

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 128

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

N/A

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

Generally, the OMB Circular A-119 policy is considered sufficient.

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

N/A

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

N/A

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; Yes

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; C

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; Yes

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 1
7

Department of Commerce (DOC)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

Standards have been an integral part of the mission of the Department of Commerce’s 

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), since its establishment in 1901. 

DOC NIST staff contribute to the development of voluntary consensus standards by 

providing laboratory research for technical content and by participating on standards 

developing committees. This participation supports NIST's mission to promote U.S. 

innovation and industrial competitiveness. 

Reducing Standards-Related Barriers to Trade 

The National Center for Standards and Certification Information (NCSCI) is the U.S. 

source for standards and standards-related information at home and abroad. The Center 

provides bibliographic information on U.S., foreign, regional, and international voluntary 

standards, mandatory government regulations, and conformity assessment procedures for 

non-agricultural products. Resources include an extensive collection of electronic 

reference materials, including U.S. military and other Federal Government specifications, 

U.S. industry and national standards, international standards, and selected foreign 

national standards. NCSCI responds to requests for specialized standards information and 

disseminates information concerning proposed foreign regulations and general standards 

issues. NCSCI provides contact points for translations of foreign standards and 

regulations. 

In fulfillment of U.S. obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement 

on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), the North American Free Trade Agreement 

(NAFTA), NCSCI serves as the U.S. national Inquiry Point and national Notification 

Authority. In addition, in fulfillment of U.S. obligations under bilateral Free Trade 

Agreements, NCSCI is responsible for timely communications of proposed regulatory 

activities. Signatories to the WTO TBT Agreement are required to notify the WTO 

Secretariat in Geneva of proposed technical regulations that could affect world trade and 

provide a 60-day comment period for review and comment by other WTO Members. 

Since July 1, 2005, NCSCI offers a web-based service, Notify U.S., to disseminate WTO 

summary notifications at no charge to U.S. entities (citizens, industries, organizations) 

and other WTO TBT Inquiry Points on request. Notify U.S. provides U.S. industry with 

an opportunity to review and comment on proposed foreign technical regulations that can 

affect their businesses and their access to international markets. NCSCI acquires the full 

texts of the proposed technical regulations from the relevant foreign Inquiry Points and 

distributes them via Notify U.S. to interested U.S. export and trade stakeholders. 

Additional details regarding Notify U.S. can be viewed online at www.nist.gov/notifyus. 

NCSCI is the U.S. member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 

Information Network (ISONET). NCSCI networks with other national standards 
8

organizations to exchange standards-related information and share access to foreign 

trade-related standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures. 

In 2008, NCSCI staff processed over 56,000 information requests: for standards (1200+) 

and technical barriers to trade (55,000+). NCSCI hosted or participated in training for 21 

U.S. and foreign visiting delegations interested in the operations of a WTO TBT Inquiry 

Point. 

The Standards in Trade (SIT) program, in operation since 1994, is a major activity of the 

NIST Standards Services Division’s Global Standards and Information Group (GSIG). 

The SIT program delivers workshops which are designed to provide timely information 

to foreign standards officials on U.S. practices in standards and conformity assessment. 

Participants are introduced to U.S. technology and principles in metrology, standards 

development and application, and conformity assessment practices. The workshop 

agenda includes briefing panels on strategies to enhance trade between the United States 

and the participating countries. 

To develop a program offering a comprehensive overview of the roles of the U.S. 

government, private sector, and regional and international organizations involved in 

standards development and conformity assessment practices that impact trade, NIST 

works closely with the private sector including small and medium sized companies. SIT 

provides an excellent opportunity for U.S. stakeholders, including small and medium 

sized enterprises, to make professional contacts of great value particularly when they are 

attempting to export their products to countries where standards related requirements 

have to be met. Since 2003 when the Commerce Secretary launched the Department of 

Commerce Standards Initiative, NIST has organized 18 SIT workshops. A total of four 

Standards in Trade Workshops were held in FY 2008. The following is a summary of 

each workshop: 

On April 2-4, 2008, the NIST Standards in Trade (SIT) Program conducted a workshop

entitled “Standards in Trade Workshop for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and 

Transportation Management Systems (TMS) Standards” in São Paulo, Brazil. This 

workshop was the first time an SIT workshop has been held in South America. Holding 

the workshop in São Paulo enabled technical discussions between over 125 Brazilian 

participants and the U.S. ITS/TMS experts, and proved particularly valuable as the U.S. 

experts were able to share their practical experiences in implementing ITS/TMS solutions 

in the U.S. and around the world. The U.S. delegation included experts from the U.S. 

Department of Transportation, the U.S. private sector, and the Chicago Transportation 

Authority. Follow-up activities being explored include supporting the participation of 

Brazil in ISO/TC 204 and training programs for Brazil ITS/TMS experts at the Federal 

Transit Administration, Federal Highway Administration, or other U.S. transportation 

facilities. The U.S. domiciled ITS/TMS standards developing organizations are also 

examining means to enable greater participation of Brazilian experts in their standards 

development activities and possible translation of the standards to Portuguese. 

On June 23-25, a workshop was held in Shanghai, China entitled, “Standards in Trade 
9

Workshop for China on Renewable Energy and Efficient Lighting Systems.” The focus 

of this workshop was on standards and conformity assessment aspects in three areas of 

renewable energy and energy efficient technologies: photovoltaics (PV), distributed 

generation equipment (DGE) and Solid State/LED lighting. Objectives included (1) to 

provide a forum for the discussion of standards and codes, conformity assessment and 

regulations in the United States and China as they relate to photovoltaic systems, 

distributed generation equipment, and solid-state (LED) lighting; (2) to identify how 

standards, conformity assessment procedures and best practices in these sectors can 

contribute to enhanced trade of associated goods and services; (3) to identify the role and 

authority of relevant agencies and organizations in both countries, and provide 

opportunities to establish effective relationships; (4) to identify and address barriers to 

development, use and adoption of international standards in these sectors; and (5) to 

identify potential opportunities for collaboration in both pre-standardization research and 

during standardization, and to identify avenues to facilitate such collaboration. Over 125 

Chinese participants attended this workshop which enabled technical discussions between 

the Chinese and U.S. experts in this field. 

On July 14-18, a workshop was held at NIST (Gaithersburg, MD) entitled, “NIST-PTB 

Standards in Trade Workshop on World Trade Organization (WTO) Technical Barriers to 

Trade (TBT) Enquiry Point Operations.” NIST’s Global Standards and Information 

Group (GSIG) is home to the National Center for Standards and Certification Information 

(NCSCI) which provides information on U.S., foreign, and international voluntary 

standards; government regulations; and rules of conformity assessment for nonagricultural products and also serves as the U.S. Inquiry Point in response to obligations 

resulting from the WTO/TBT Agreement. Participants included WTO/TBT Inquiry Point 

representatives from Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Palestine, and Jordan 

The objectives of this workshop were to gain an understanding of Inquiry Point 

responsibilities under the WTO Agreement on TBT by learning how to: establish or 

improve national WTO TBT Inquiry Point operations; Establish or improve national 

standards information distribution; meet WTO TBT Notification Authority 

responsibilities; and to use standards resources to distribute standards information. 

On September 22-25 a workshop was held entitled “Standards in Trade (SIT) Workshop 

on Fire Safety of Buildings for Vietnam” and was held at NIST on September 22-26, 

2008. Discussions during the workshop addressed the development and implementation 

of the building and fire code system, research and development tools that help improve 

building and fire safety standards and codes, roles of authorities having jurisdiction to 

ensure conformance with regulations and codes, and lessons learned from major 

incidents. The Standard in Trade Workshop supports the measurement, and standards 

infrastructure underpinning U.S. exports. 

Standards Successes – Selected Impacts of Documentary Standards Supported by NIST. 

In FY 2008 NIST’s Standards Services Division released the 2008 edition of “Selected 

Impacts of Documentary Standards Supported by NIST” (NISTIR 7548), a study that is 

part of a broader initiative to assess the impact of documentary standards on global 
10

competitiveness and innovation. This study canvassed NIST Laboratories for information 

on projects in which NIST staff participated or supported the development of high impact 

documentary standards that have achieved, or expect to achieve, broad adoption or 

significant benefits. The research identified 78 high-impact documentary standards 

projects. Key findings are: 

• NIST participation led to standards produced on average 1.5 years earlier than without 

NIST involvement; 

• Without NIST participation, the scope of the standards would have been narrower in 

one-third of the cases; and 

• Many new products and services resulted directly as a result of the standard being 

developed. 

Taken together, it is clear that many of these standards projects leveraged the 

participation of NIST staff as well as non-NIST experts to develop high-impact 

standards, which resulted in product and service improvements and general societal 

benefits to the United States. This report reflects NIST’s success in meeting its mission, 

executive guidance, and legislative requirements to support standards development and to 

report on the effect of those standards. 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 0

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 0

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: 

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 108

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

Acoustical Society of America ASA

Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions ATIS

American Association of Physicists in Medicine AAPM

American Concrete Institute ACI
11

American Dental Association ADA

American Gas Association AGA

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics AIAA

American National Standards Institute ANSI

American Nuclear Society ANS

American Petroleum Institute API

American Society for Quality ASQ

American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning 

Engineers ASHRAE

American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME

American Society of Safety Engineers ASSE

American Vacuum Society AVS

American Welding Society AWS

AOAC International AOAC

ASC X9, Inc. ASC X9

Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation AAMI

Association of Biomolecular Research Facilities ABRF

ASTM International ASTM

Basic Linear Algebra Subprograms Technical Forum BLAS

Biometrics Application Programming Interface Consortium BioAPI

British Standards Institution BSI

Center for Applied Special Technology CAST

Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute CLSI

Codex Alimentarius Commission CODEX

Committee on Data for Science and Technology CODATA

Consumer Electronics Association CEA

Council for Optical Radiation Measurements CORM

Council on Ionizing Radiation Measurements and Standards CIRMS

Dimensional Metrology Standards Consortium DMSC

Electronic Industries Alliance EIA

Engineering Sciences Data Unit International ESDU

Health Level Seven HL7

Health Physics Society HPS

Illuminating Engineering Society of North America IESNA

Industrial Truck Association ITA

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers IEEE

Institute of Nuclear Materials Management INMM
12

Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society ISA

Inter-American Metrology System SIM

International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam IAPWS

International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA

International Bureau of Weights and Measures BIPM

International Cartographic Association ICA

International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO

International Code Council ICC

International Commission on Illumination CIE

International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements, Inc. ICRU

InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards INCITS

International Committee for Weights and Measures CIPM

International Council for Science ICSU

International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service IERS

International Electrotechnical Commission IEC

International Federation on Information Processing IFIP

International Hydrographic Organization IHO

International Institute of Welding IIW

International Organization for Standardization ISO

International Organization for Standardization/International 

Electrotechnical Commission ISO/IEC

International Organization of Legal Metrology OIML

International Telecommunication Union ITU

International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Materials, Systems 

and Structures RILEM

International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Materials, Systems

and Structures/International Council for Research and Innovation in 

Building and Construction

RILEM/CIB

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry IUPAC

International Union of Pure and Applied Physics IUPAP

Internet Engineering Task Force IETF

IPC - Association Connecting Electronics Industries IPC

Java Grande Forum JGF

JEDEC - Solid State Technology Association JEDEC

Laser Institute of America LIA

National Conference on Weights and Measures NCWM

National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements NCRP

National Electrical Manufacturers Association NEMA

National Fire Protection Association NFPA
13

National Fluid Power Association NFLPA

NCSL International NCSLI

North American Electric Reliability Corporation NERC

North American Open Math Initiative NAOMI

NSF International NSFI

Object Management Group OMG

Open Applications Group OAGi

Open DeviceNet Vendor Association ODVA

Open Geospatial Consortium OGC

Open Math Society OMS

Optical Laboratories Association OLA

Optical Society of America OSA

Optical Storage Technology Association OSTA

Optics and Electro-Optics Standards Council OEOSC

Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards OASIS

Pan-American Standards Commission COPANT

Robotics Industries Association RIA

Security Industry Association SIA

Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International SEMI

Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization SISO

Society of Automotive Engineers SAE

Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers SMPTE

Standards Engineering Society SES

Telecommunications Industry Association TIA

U.S. Product Data Association US PRO

Underwriters Laboratories UL

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe WP .29/GRSP UNECE

Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards VAMAS

Web3D Consortium Web3D

World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO

World Meteorological Organization WMO

World Wide Web Consortium W3C

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 479

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 
14

National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) 

The National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) provides thirdparty accreditation to testing and calibration laboratories. NVLAP's accreditation 

programs are established in response to legislative or administrative actions by the 

Federal Government or to requests from government agencies and private-sector

organizations. NVLAP operates its accreditation system in accordance with the 

international conformity assessment standard ISO/IEC 17011, Conformity assessment –

General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies, 

which is published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the 

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). NVLAP accredits laboratories that are 

found competent to perform specific test or calibrations through a rigorous assessment 

against the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of 

testing and calibration laboratories. Information about the current status of accredited 

laboratories is published in NVLAP Directory of Accredited Laboratories, which is

published online and updated monthly at . 

NVLAP is a signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) 

and the Asia-Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) Mutual 

Recognition Arrangements, and has applied for signatory status in the InterAmerican 

Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) (MRA). In 2008 NVLAP successfully underwent a 

full evaluation by these cooperations for the purposes of reconfirming conformity for the 

continuation of signatory status in the ILAC and APLAC MRAs and for the application 

for signatory status in the IAAC MRA. By participating in these cooperations, NVLAP 

facilitates the mutual recognition of accredited test and measurement results of its 

signatory partners, thereby reducing the need for redundant testing and lowering costs to 

customers. 

NVLAP Certificate of Accreditation 

When NVLAP grants initial or continuing accreditation to a laboratory, it issues a 

Certificate of Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2005, which includes the following 

statement to convey that an accredited laboratory management system meets the 

principles of ISO 9001:2000, Quality management system – requirements. 

"This laboratory is accredited in accordance with the recognized International Standard 

ISO/IEC 17025:2005. This accreditation demonstrates technical competence for a defined 

scope and the operation of a laboratory quality management system (refer joint ISOILAC-IAF Communique dated 18 June 2005)" NVLAP-accredited laboratories may use 

the above statement on their test reports and calibration certificates if they supply, or 

provide access to via a website, the Joint ISO-ILAC-IAF Communique as part of the 

package for their laboratory customers. 

The Joint ISO-ILAC-IAF Communique was issued to counter a perception that 

accredited laboratories do not operate a recognized quality management system. Many 

accredited laboratories have had difficulty convincing their customers that they should be 

asking laboratories to be accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 rather than be certified (or 
15

registered) to ISO 9001. The situation became more acute with the publication of ISO 

9001:2000, as some customers continually asked laboratories to be certified, when they 

really meant accredited. It is anticipated that the use of the above statement by both 

accreditation bodies and accredited laboratories will help to address the market issues 

caused by the confusion between these two terms. 

New Accreditation Programs 

Biometrics Testing 

In 2007 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security requested the establishment of the 

Biometrics Testing laboratory accreditation program by the National Voluntary 

Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) to accredit laboratories that perform 

conformance testing, interoperability testing, technology testing, scenario testing, and 

operational and usability testing for biometrics products (systems and subsystems) as 

defined in nationally and internationally recognized biometrics products testing standards 

of biometric systems and subsystems. In February 2008 NIST published a notice in the 

Federal Register requesting comments on the proposed establishment of a Biometrics 

Testing program, and in July 2008 NVLAP held a public workshop to solicit further 

comments on the program’s establishment and on the technical requirements to be 

associated with the program. In November 2008 NIST published a Federal Register 

notice to announce the establishment of the program and the availability of applications 

for accreditation of laboratories that perform biometric testing. 

Personal Body Armor 

In 2008 NVLAP accredited seven laboratories under the Personal Body Armor laboratory 

accreditation program. This program was established in 2007 in response to a request 

from the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DoJ), National Institute of Justice (NIJ) for a 

program to accredit laboratories that test body armor for the DoJ law enforcement 

certification program. The new laboratories are accredited for NIJ Standard 0101.06, 

Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor, July 2008, Sections 5, 6, and/or 7. Laboratory test 

results will be used for the purposes of preparing NIJ's Personal Body Armor Consumer 

Product List. 

Expansion of NVLAP Accreditation Programs 

Cryptographic and Security Testing 

The Cryptographic and Security Testing laboratory accreditation program, formerly 

named Cryptographic Module Testing, was established by NVLAP to accredit 

laboratories that perform cryptographic algorithms and cryptographic module validation 

conformance testing. As the laboratory assessment program (LAP) expanded in 2006 and 

2007 and offered additional security scopes of accreditation, the name was changed to 

Cryptographic and Security Testing (CST). 
16

In 2007 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) asked NIST to initiate a new 

program for validating the implementation of the Security Content Automation Protocol 

(SCAP) standards within security software modules. To meet this need, NVLAP 

announced the addition of the SCAP test suite to its CST LAP in early 2008. The new test 

suite is composed of six open standards and enables automated vulnerability 

management, measurement, and policy compliance evaluation; enumerates 

vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, platforms, and impact; and provides machine-readable 

security configuration checklists. The SCAP test methods were developed by NIST’s 

Information Technology Laboratory for use in such applications as checking the Federal 

Desktop Core Configuration (FDCC) settings and feeding information into the National 

Vulnerability Database. 

Solid State Lighting 

As part of the ENERGY STAR® program for solid state lighting (SSL), the U.S. 

Department of Energy requested NVLAP to expand the Energy Efficient Lighting 

Products (EEL) laboratory accreditation program to include specific test methods used in 

testing certain types of solid state lighting products and LED sources. The purpose of this 

addition of test methods is to accredit testing laboratories to ensure that standard test 

procedures are followed to measure electrical, photometric, colorimetric, and lumen 

maintenance characteristics of solid state lighting products and LED sources. In 2008 

NVLAP developed the draft requirements document for SSL laboratories, NIST 

Handbook 150-1A, and accreditation is expected to be offered in early 2009. Additional 

information about the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program may be 

found on its home page: http://ts.nist.gov/standards/accreditation/index.cfm. 

National Voluntary Conformity Assessment System Evaluation (NVCASE) Program 

The National Voluntary Conformity Assessment System Evaluation (NVCASE) Program 

enables U.S. industry to satisfy mandated foreign technical requirements using the results 

of U.S.-based conformity assessment programs that perform technical evaluations 

comparable in their rigor to practices in the receiving country. Under this program, the 

Department of Commerce, acting through the National Institute of Standards and 

Technology, evaluates U.S.-based conformity assessment bodies in order to be able to 

give assurances to a foreign government that qualifying bodies meet that government's 

requirements and can provide results that are acceptable to that government. The program 

provides a technically-based U.S. approval process for U.S. industry to gain foreign 

market access; the acceptability of conformity assessment results to the relevant foreign 

government will be a matter for agreement between the two governments. Additional 

information about the NVCASE Program can be found at 

http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/Global/nvcase.cfm. 

Conformity Assessment Activities under Mutual Recognition Agreements/Arrangement 

(MRAs) 

The United States and the European Community Mutual Recognition Agreement (US -
17

EU MRA) is a multi-sector bilateral government-to-government agreement between the 

United States and the 25 Member States of the European Union. Under this MRA, NIST 

is responsible for designating organizations in the US Conformity Assessment Bodies 

(CABs) for three product sectors: 1) Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), 2) 

Telecommunications, and 3) Recreational Craft. After a lengthy review process, CABs 

that meet certain criteria are formally recognized and may operate as a CAB as described 

in the U.S. - EU MRA and the specific technical regulations of the EU governing the 

appropriate product sectors. The U.S.-EU MRA is an important regulatory and trade 

agreement which provides greater market access in a timelier manner for U.S. 

manufacturers exporting to Europe and European manufacturers exporting to the United 

States. Further information can be obtained at 

http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/Global/mra.cfm. 

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement for 

Conformity Assessment of Telecommunications Equipment is intended to streamline the 

Conformity Assessment Procedures for a wide range of telecommunications and 

telecommunications-related equipment and thereby to facilitate trade among the parties. 

It provides for the mutual recognition by the importing parties of CABs and mutual 

acceptance of the results of testing and equipment certification procedures undertaken by 

those bodies in assessing conformity of equipment to the importing parties’ own technical 

regulations. 

Under Phase-I of the APEC Mutual Recognition Arrangement, NIST-designated CABs 

are able to produce test data in their facilities that are accepted as evidence that the tested 

product satisfies an APEC economy's appropriate technical requirements. CABs 

operating under Phase-II of the MRA are able to approve products as being in compliance 

with the technical and administrative requirements of the importing economy. The 

general and specific requirements that must be met in order to be nominated as a CAB 

under the APEC Tel MRA, as well as the text of the MRA, can be found at 

http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/Global/mra.cfm. 

The Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) Mutual Recognition 

Agreement is almost identical to the APEC Tel MRA in purpose and structure. The goal 

of the CITEL MRA is to facilitate trade among the 34 Member States of the Organization 

of American States. The conformity assessment activities under this Agreement have yet 

to become operational. When operational, NIST will serve as the Designating Authority 

of U.S. CABs. In the meantime, NIST continues to work towards implementation of the 

Agreement. More information on the CITEL Agreement can be found on 

http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/Global/mra.cfm. 

NIST Committee Participation in Conformity Assessment Standards Development and 

Activities 

NIST's Standards Services Division (NIST/SSD) participates in the American National 

Standards Institute's (ANSI) International Conformity Assessment Committee (ICAC). 

This committee serves as the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to ISO's Council 
18

Committee on Conformity Assessment (CASCO). SSD staff is also active on CASCO' ad 

hoc Regulators Interface Group. 

NIST/SSD is a member of ANSI's Conformity Assessment Policy Committee (CAPC), 

which is the primary focal point for developing, coordinating, and maintaining ANSI's 

policies and accreditation activities. The committee makes policy recommendations to 

the ANSI Board related to conformity assessment and provides oversight for ANSI's 

conformity assessment programs. 

In the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) area, NIST/SSD personnel serve 

on the U.S. National Committee to the IECEE (IEC System for Conformity Testing and 

Certification of Electrical Equipment). The latter is a worldwide scheme that allows 

manufacturers to obtain a test certificate from an approved U.S. National Certification 

Body (NCB) and to use that test report to obtain certification marks in other participating 

countries. 

Additionally, NIST provides technical support to the Standards Related Measures (SRM) 

Committee under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The SRM 

Committee serves as a forum for the resolution of standards and conformity assessment 

issues that impact trade among the three NAFTA partners. NIST also provides technical 

support for the InterAmerican Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC). Such 

arrangements/agreements are designed to harmonize conformity assessment practices and 

promote the global acceptance of conformity assessment results from qualified bodies to 

minimize the need for and cost of redundant conformity assessments. 

Coordination of Conformity Assessment Activities 

Under the NTTAA, NIST is responsible for coordinating conformity assessment 

activities with private sector technical standards activities and conformity assessment 

activities, with the goal of eliminating unnecessary duplication and complexity. Current 

NIST activities in this area include: 

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Conformity Assessment Activities - NIST’s 

Technology Services is working with the Department of Homeland Security Standards 

Executive to develop the DHS Science and Technology standards and conformity 

assessment infrastructure as well as requirements, standards, testing protocols, and 

conformity assessment methods. 

• Radiation Detectors - NIST’s Technology Services, in cooperation with NIST’s 

Radiation Physics Division assistingwith the implementation of a conformity assessment 

program for radiation detectors for DHS’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office including 

accreditation for testing laboratories whose testing will support the Graduated Rad/Nuc 

Detector Evaluation and Reporting (GRaDER) program. See 

http://www.dhs.gov/xres/programs/gc_1218637329931.shtm for additional information. 

• PS-Prep, Business Continuity and Preparedness Management – NIST Technology 
19

Services is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to 

implement a private sector certification program for organizations to demonstrate their 

compliance with the requirements of adopted standards. This program is being developed 

under the authority of the Implementing the 9/11 Commissions Recommendations Act of 

2007. See http://www.fema.gov/business/certification/index.htm for additional 

information. 

• National Institute of Justice Body Armor - NIST’s Technology Services, in cooperation 

with NIST’s Office of Law Enforcement Standards (OLES), the Department of Justice’s 

National Institute of Justice (NIJ), and the National Law Enforcement and Corrections 

Technology Center (NLECTC) developed and implemented a significant enhancement to 

the current body armor certification program and including a revised NIJ performance 

standard for the safety of law enforcement officers. NVLAP, at the request of NIJ, has 

implemented a laboratory accreditation program to accredit body armor testing 

laboratories. Several laboratories have been accredited to test body armor. 

• Interoperable Public Safety Communications Equipment - NIST’s Technology Services, 

in cooperation with TIA Project 25, the NIST OLES, the Institute for Telecommunication 

Sciences, and DHS Project SAFECOM established the P25 Compliance Assessment

Program (P25 CAP) to assist emergency communications officials in procurement and 

deployment of public safety land mobile radios. The P25 CAP is a conformity assessment 

program based on recognition of testing competence, standardized test report forms, and 

a supplier’s declaration of conformity. DHS grant guidance requires the P25 CAP. NIST 

published NIST Handbook 153 - Laboratory Recognition Process for Project 25 -

Compliance Assessment which defines the test laboratory requirements for developing 

data to support the manufacturer’s declarations of conformity. 

• NIST's Technology Services is working with NIST Radiation Physics to develop a 

series of IEEE Standards for the performance of non-intrusive inspection equipment. The 

Standard for the Performance and Evaluation of Checkpoint Cabinet X-Ray Imaging 

Security-Screening Systems and the Standard for Performance of Cargo X-Ray Systems 

are published and a standard for body imagers and Computerized Tomographic checked 

baggage screening equipment are in development. 

• Toy Safety Initiative - NIST’s Technology Services is providing technical assistance to 

the Consumer Product Safety Commission in their implementations of the Consumer 

Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and to the private sector in the development of 

model certification programs to address toy safety issues. Both intend to use the 

international system for accreditation of test laboratories. 

• Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Project on Greener Cleanups – NIST’s 

Technology Services is providing assistance to EPA to develop a standard and 

certification program for Brownfield remediation (clean ups) . 

• EPA WaterSense Project – NIST’s Technology Services assisted EPA staff in the 

implementation of its WaterSense program that is now available for toilets and faucets. 
20

Watersense certified products are now a significant share of the marketplace. 

• DoD Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (DoD ELAP) – NIST’s 

Technology Service’s staff provided assistance to the DoD Environmental Data Quality 

Workgroup (EDQW) to create a DoD wide program to accredit laboratories that perform 

testing in support of DoD. 

Finally, NIST/SSD has published a number of directories and reports on conformity 

assessment-related issues. NIST/SSD also maintains a Web site (http://ts.nist.gov) that 

provides a one-stop-shopping source for information on various conformity assessment 

issues. 

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

None at this time.

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

None at this time.

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

DOC BUREAUS (EXCLUDING NIST) - SUMMARY OF STANDARDS-RELATED 

ACTIVITIES (2008) 

International Trade Administration (ITA) - The ITA participates in eight CODEX 

committees, three ISO technical committees/advisory groups, and one ICAO committee. 

ITA also participates in several potentially trade-related ISO activities for second-hand 

goods, biotechnology, and social responsibility standardization. ITA was also active in 

standards capacity building in APEC and ASEAN, and standards harmonization efforts in 

the Strategic Partnership for Prosperity of North America. In the automotive sector, ITA 

works closely with the regulatory agencies EPA and DOT/NHTSA on their work in the 

United Nations Economic Commission of Europe's (UN/ECE) WP29 to develop global 

technical regulations (GTRs) relevant to vehicles. By closely coordinating with industry, 

ITA is well-poised to alert regulators of potential technical barriers to trade and ensure 

true trade facilitation in global standards development. More information about ITA’s 

standards-related activities may be found at: http://www.ita.doc.gov/td/standards/. 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Standardization of data 

acquisition and data management practices are vital to the mission at NOAA. NOAA 

seeks to establish voluntary standards with selected industrial associations, academia, and 

national organizations of state and local governments (e.g., the American Association of 

State Climatologists), as well as through participation in professional societies (e.g., 

American Meteorological Society). All NOAA line organizations participate in standards 

development activities. In general, standards used in many NOAA activities are 

established in conjunction with other federal agencies (e.g., DOD, Federal Aviation 
21

Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Federal Geographic Data 

Committee) either through joint participation in international organizations such as the 

World Meteorological Organization, or by means of bilateral and multilateral agreements 

with other nations. These standardization activities apply to all phases of environmental 

data acquisition, processing, and distribution. 

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) - The NTIA 

contributes to the development and application of national and international 

telecommunication standards by participating and holding leadership roles in various 

voluntary standards committees at the national and international levels e.g., 

Telecommunications Industry Association, International Telecommunication Union, and 

ATIS (Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions.) These standards enhance 

the quality and reliability of the domestic telecommunications infrastructure, promote 

healthy competition in telecommunications products and services, and expand 

international trade opportunities for U.S. telecommunications firms. 

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) - The USPTO participates and 

contributes to the resolution of identified requirements for international standards, 

primarily through the Standing Committee on Information Technologies of the World 

Intellectual Property Organization. USPTO staff also participates in standardization 

activities of the International Patent Classification Union. 

Bureau of the Census - DOC's Bureau of the Census is active in the development of 

standards and specifications for: (1) the capture and storage of geographic information in 

computer-readable formats along with metadata documenting the characteristics of those 

data; and (2) the definitions of statistical, economic, and geographic terms. The Census 

Bureau participates in the following groups: Federal Geographic Data Committee --

Chairs the Cultural and Demographic Statistics Subcommittee, participates on various 

subcommittees and working groups including the Coordination Working Group, 

Standards Working Group, the Marine Boundary Working Group, the Cadastral 

Subcommittee, the Geodetic Subcommittee, the Address Data Content Standard Working 

Group, and the Cultural Resources Standard Working Group. Census Bureau staff are 

active with the Geospatial Line of Business participating on working groups for the Joint 

Business Case, Lifecycle Management, and Performance Management; ANSI/INCITSL1 - Geographic Information; ISO Technical Committee 211, ISO 19113- Data Quality; 

Ad hoc Baseline Committee on the U.S. International Boundary; International 

Cartographic Association, U.S. National Committee for the International Cartographic 

Association, Commission on National and Regional Atlases; U.S.G.S. National Atlas of 

the United States Steering Committee; the Open GIS Consortium (OGC); and the U.S. 

Board on Geographic Names. 

OTHER NIST STANDARDS ACTIVITIES 

FEDERAL INFORMATION PROCESSINGS STANDARDS (FIPS) 

Under the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), TITLE III of the E-
22

Government Act of 2002, The Secretary of Commerce approves standards and guidelines 

that are developed by NIST for federal computer systems. This includes standards and 

guidelines needed to ensure the cost-effective security and privacy of sensitive 

information in federal computer systems. These standards and guidelines are issued by 

NIST as FIPS for use government wide. FIPS are issued when there are compelling 

federal government requirements such as for security and interoperability and there are 

no acceptable industry standards or solutions. When FIPS are considered necessary, 

NIST announces proposed FIPS in the Federal Register for public review and comment. 

During FY 2008, NIST made the following FIPS announcements: 

Federal Register notice dated November 2, 2007, announced a public competition to 

develop a new cryptographic “hash” algorithm, which converts a variable length message 

into a short “message digest” that can be used for digital signatures, message 

authentication, and other applications. The announcement specifies the submission 

requirements, the minimum acceptability requirements, and the evaluation criteria for 

candidate hash algorithms. The competition is ITL’s response to recent advances in the 

cryptanalysis of hash functions. The new hash algorithm will be called “SHA-3” and will 

augment the hash algorithms currently specified in FIPS 180-2, Secure Hash Standard. 

Entries for the competition were due by October 31, 2008. 

Federal Register notice dated July 29, 2008, announced the approval of FIPS 198-1, The 

Keyed-Hash Message Authentication Code (HMAC), which is a revision of FIPS 198. 

The FIPS specifies a mechanism for message authentication using cryptographic hash 

functions in federal information systems. FIPS 198-1 removed the technical information 

that was included in the previous version that may need frequent updating, such as the 

security provided by the HMAC algorithm and HMAC values. This change enables ITL 

to employ a more effective process for keeping the technical information current. 

Currently, ITL provides the removed technical information and other related important 

technical details about the HMAC algorithm in NIST Special Publication 800-107, 

DRAFT Recommendation for Applications Using Approved Hash Algorithms, which can 

be updated in a timely manner as technical conditions change. 

Federal Register notice dated September 2, 2008 announced that the Secretary of 

Commerce had approved the withdrawal of ten FIPS. The FIPS were withdrawn because 

they are obsolete or have not been updated to adopt current voluntary industry standards, 

federal specifications, federal data standards, or current good practices for information 

security. The withdrawn FIPS are: 

• FIPS 4-2, Representation of Calendar Date to Facilitate Interchange of Data among 

Information Systems; adopts American National Standard ANSI X3.30-1997: 

Representation of Date for Information Interchange (revision of ANSI X3.30-1985 

[R1991]) 

• FIPS 5-2, Codes for the Identification of the States, the District of Columbia and the 

Outlying Areas of the United States, and Associated Areas 

• FIPS 6-4, Counties and Equivalent Entities of the U.S., Its Possessions, and Associated 

Areas 
23

• FIPS 10-4, Countries, Dependencies, Areas of Special Sovereignty, and Their Principal 

Administrative Divisions 

• FIPS 113, Computer Data Authentication 

• FIPS 161-2, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) (adopts families of EDI standards 

known as X12, UN/EDIFACT and HL7) 

• FIPS 183, Integration Definition for Function Modeling (IDEF0) 

• FIPS 184, Integration Definition for Information Modeling (IDEFIX) 

• FIPS 192, Application Profile for the Government Information Locator Service (GILS) 

• FIPS 192-1 (a) & (b), Application Profile for the Government Information Locator 

Service (GILS). 

HOMELAND SECURITY STANDARDS 

The Conformity Assessment Advisor - Homeland Security of the Standards Services 

Division of NIST serves as co-Chair on the American National Standards Institute's 

Homeland Security Standards Panel (ANSI-HSSP). The mission of the HSSP is to 

identify existing consensus standards, or, if none exist, assist the Department of 

Homeland Security (DHS) and those sectors requesting assistance to accelerate 

development and adoption of consensus standards critical to homeland security. The 

ANSI-HSSP promotes a positive, cooperative partnership between the public and private 

sectors in order to meet the needs of the nation in this critical area. 

The 2008 HSSP plenary held at the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC 

focused on business continuity management and emergency preparedness standards. The 

meetings brought together a cross section of professionals, experts and leaders from the 

homeland security standards and business preparedness community to address the various 

issues in the roll-out of DHS’s PS-Prep program. The workshop provided DHS with key 

stakeholder information that helped shape the PS-Prep program. 

TELEMEDICINE STANDARDS 

Telemedicine allows patients to gain access to healthcare professionals electronically, 

regardless of their location. It can provide faster, more affordable healthcare services, 

especially when telemedicine is integrated into the entire health and medical care a 

patient receives via the traditional in-person environment. The mission of the American 

Telemedicine Association (ATA) is to promote access to medical care by consumers and 

health professionals via information and telecommunications technology. An important 

element of this mission is to advance the use of telemedicine through the development or 

identification of technology, clinical, and administrative standards related to the ongoing 

delivery of health and medical care. Working to accomplish this mission, researchers 

from NIST’s Information Technology Laboratory contributed to two ATA telemedicine 

guidelines: “Evidence-Based Practice for Telemental Health” and “Practice Guidelines 

for Videoconferencing-Based Telemental Health.” NIST participates on the ATA 

Standards and Guidelines Working Group and the ATA Telemental Health Working 

Group. 
24

Personal care devices are key to healthcare delivery in the home. Today, the 

communication of clinical data from devices to an electronic health record, a personal 

health record, or a capturing device is proprietary. These solutions lead to a lack of 

interoperability between makes and models of product devices. Furthermore, customized 

interfaces must be configured, produced, and maintained to achieve exchange of critical 

physiologic data with each communicating entity with the enterprise. To address this 

critical need, the IEEE 11073 Working Group (WG) is developing standards for medical 

device communications and the Integrated Health Enterprise (IHE) Patient Care Devices 

(PCD) Domain and IEEE Personal Health Devices (PHD) WG are developing 

frameworks for the integration of medical device data into the electronic health record. 

Researchers from NIST’s Information Technology Laboratory are collaborating with 

these industry consensus-based standards organizations. 

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; C

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; E

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; No

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 0

t
25

Department of Defense (DoD)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

The primary goal of the Department of Defense (D0D) is to support our nation's 

warfighter in the most efficient, effective, and cost conscious means possible while 

meeting essential mission requirements within critical timeframes. Standards and 

standardization are essential elements to ensuring cost containment and operational 

effectiveness are achieved during the development and continued maintenance of DoD 

systems and subsystems. 

Standardization has historically been relied upon throughout the Department to promote 

interoperability, reduce logistics footprints, trim costs, and sustain readiness. DoD 

standardization has enhanced interoperability and readiness through increased 

commonality of systems, components, and architectures. This improved interoperabilty 

has greatly enhanced the Department's collaborative efforts with joint and coalition 

forces. While costs have been contained due, in part, to the increased use of standardized 

parts and greater reliance on universal technological solutions. 

DoD standards and standardization activities serve a myriad of logistics, operational, 

acquisition, and sustainment communities by providing material standardization products 

and services which enhance and promote communication and coordination that are 

integral to improving interoperability, reducing costs, and ensuring DoD readiness. 

The following case study illustrates how standards and standardization contributes to 

DoD's vital mission of supporting and protecting our Nation's warfighter: 

Common Air Defense Interrogator - The Army's development of a new modification 

(Mode 5)to the existent Common Air Defense Interrogater (ADI)will ensure 

interoperability with systems used by allied forces and a create a safer, more reliable 

system which will reduce the chance of friendly fire incidents. Also, by implementing the 

new Mode 5 ADI, the Army will avoid an estimated $31 million in costs. There are many 

lessons learned from this effort, however, the following are specifically related to 

standardization: the performance standards put in place will ensure interoperability 

between U.S. military and NATO platforms. The Mode 5 performance standards will be 

used to certify military transponders installed on aviation, unmanned aerial vehicle, and 

watercraft platforms, as well as, interrogators installed on air defense systems and air 

traffic control platforms standardization makes interoperability and compatibility across 

platforms an achievable goal - standardization simplifies maintenance and reduces the 

number of manuals required for training and operation. This case study as well as other 

case studies and standardization information illustrating how DoD relies on standards and 

standardization to meet essential mission requirements can be found on the DSPO 

website: www.dsp.dla.mil.
26

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008:

This agency reports voluntary consensus standards usage on a category basis

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 488

Voluntary Standard Government Standard

ANSI-B18.10 MIL-B-3964B

ANSI-C18.1 MIL-B-18/13D NOT1

ANSI-C18.1 MIL-B-18/202C NOT 1

ANSI-C18.1 MIL-B-18/208C NOT 1

ANSI-C18.1 MIL-B-18/217B NOT 1

ANSI-C18.1 MIL-B-18/269A NOT 1

ANSI-C18.1 MIL-B-18/270A NOT 1

ANSI-C18.1 MIL-B-18/271A NOT 1

ANSI-C18.1 MIL-B-18/275B NOT 1

ANSI-C18.1 MIL-B-18/34D NOT 1

ANSI-C18.1 MIL-B-18/40D NOT 1

ANSI-C18.1 MIL-B-18/74D NOT 1

ANSI-C18.1 MIL-B-21D NOT 1

ANSI-C18.1 MIL-B-220B NOT 1

ANSI-C18.1 MIL-B-49030/1 A NOT 1

ANSI-C18.1 MIL-B-49030/11 NOT 1

ANSI-C18.1 MIL-B-49030/3A NOT 1

ANSI-C18.1 MIL-B-49030/6A NOT 1

ANSI/AWS-C3-4 MIL-B-12672(1) NOT 1

ASTM - D579 MIL-A-46165 NOT 2

ASTM-A700 MIL-STD-163C (2) NOT 4

ASTM-B176-88 MIL-B-15894B NOT 1

ASTM-B209 MIL-A-52174B NOT 2

ASTM-B221 MIL-A-12545D NOT 3

ASTM-B221 MIL-A-46104 NOT 2

ASTM-B227 QQ-W-345B(2) NOT 1

ASTM-B280 WW-T-775B NOT 1

ASTM-B633 QQ-Z-325C NOT 1

ASTM-D2564 MIL-A-22010A NOT 1

ASTM-D449 MIL-A-3029A NOT 1
27

ASTM-D5960 MIL-D-10662D NOT 2

ASTM-E2375 MIL-STD-2154 NOT 2

EIA364 MIL-STD-1344A (5) NOT 6

IPC2221 IPC2223 MIL-STD-2118 (1) NOT 2

NAS4117 MIL-H-87111/1D NOT 2

NAS4118 MIL-H-8711/2E NOT 2

NAS4119 MIL-H-8711/3C NOT 2

NAS4120 MIL-H-8711/4D NOT 2

NAS4121 MIL-H-8711/5C NOT 2

NAS4122 MIL-H-8711/6B NOT 2

NAS4123 MIL-H-8711/7A NOT 2

NAS4124 MIL-H-8711/8 NOT 2

NAS4125 MIL-H-8711/9 NOT 2

NASM 45908 MIL-B-45908B NOT 1

NASM 6812 MIL-B-6812E NOT 1

NASM 7838 MIL-B-7838C(1) NOT 1

NASM 7874 MIL-B-7874B(1) SUP 1 NOT 1

NASM 8831 MIL-B-8831B(2) SUP 1 NOT 1

NASM 8906/2 MIL-B-8906/2A NOT 3

NASM 8907 MIL-B-8907A(1) NOT 1

NASM23964 MIL-B-23964A NOT 1

NASM51896 MS51896A NOT 1

NASM77072 MS77072 NOT 2

NASM77073 MS77073 NOT 2

NEMA C18.1 MIL-B-49030/9 NOT 3

NEMA-CB1 MIL-B-3743D NOT 1

NEMA-WC27500 MIL-DTL-27500H(1) NOT 1

SAE-20708/14 MIL-S-20708/14G NOT 1

SAE-23190/3 MIL-S-23190/3 NOT 1

SAE-25486 MS25486H NOT 1

SAE-39029/12 MIL-C-39029/12J NOT 1

SAE-39029/23 MIL-C-39029/23B NOT 2

SAE-39029/24 MIL-C-39029/24B NOT 2

SAE-39029/25 MIL-C-39029/25C NOT 2

SAE-85049/8 MIL-C-85049/8A NOT 1

SAE-AAS22789/93 MIL-DTL-22759/93A NOT 1

SAE-AMD-A-22771 MIL-A-22771D NOT 1

SAE-AMS 1424 MIL-A-8243D(1) NOT 1
28

SAE-AMS-81596 MIL-A-81596A NOT 1

SAE-AMS-A-21180 MIL-A-21180D NOT 1

SAE-AMS-A-25463 MIL-A-25463B NOT 1

SAE-AMS-A-81596 MIL-A-81596A NOT 1

SAE-AMS-A-8576 MIL-A-8576C NOT 1

SAE-AMS-B-8964 MIL-B-8964 NOT 1

SAE-AMS-C8837 MIL-C-8837B(1) NOT 1

SAE-AMS-DTL-23053 MIL-DTL-23053E SUP 1A NOT 3

SAE-AMS-S-6758 MS14294 NOT 2

SAE-AMS-S-6758 MS14296 NOT 2

SAE-AMS-S-6758 MS14297 NOT 3

SAE-ARP763 MIL-A-47309A NOT 1

SAE-AS 39029/1 MIL-C-39029/1F NOT 1

SAE-AS 39029/105 MIL-C-39029/105 NOt 1

SAE-AS 39029/33 MIL-C-39029/33C(1) NOT 1

SAE-AS 39039/103 MIL-C-39029/103A(1) NOT 1

SAE-AS 6039 MIL-B-6039E NOT 1

SAE-AS-20308/8 MIL-S-20708/8E NOT 1

SAE-AS-20708/7 MIL-S-20708/7E NOT 1

SAE-AS-20708/80 MIL-S-20708/80F NOT 1

SAE-AS-83519 MIL-S-83519A( 4) NOT 2

SAE-AS-85049 MIL-C-85049A SUP 1A NOT 1

SAE-AS-85049/21 MIL-C-85049/21A NOT 1

SAE-AS18121 MS18121G NOT 1

SAE-AS1824/4 MIL-S-8124/4 NOT 1

SAE-AS20659 MS20659K NOT 2

SAE-AS20708 MIL-S-20708E (2) SUP 1B NOT 1

SAE-AS20708/1 MIL-S-20708/1F NOT 1

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SAE-J2360 MIL-PRF-2105E NOT 3

SE-AS22227 MIL-B-22227A NOT 2

SE-AS22759/84 MIL-DTL-22759/84A NOT 1

SE-AS39029/22 MIL-C-39029/22B NOT 1

UL 512 MIL-F-21346/7 NOT 2
39

UL1069 MIL-A-15373B NOT 1

UL512 MIL-F-21346/8 NOT 2

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 47

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: 

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 123

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

Aerospace & Defense Industries Association of Europe ASD

Aerospace Industries Association of America AIA

Air Movement and Control Association AMCA

Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute ARI

Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions ATIS

Aluminum Association AA

AMCA International AMCA

American Architectural Manufacturers Association AAMA

American Association for Laboratory Accreditation A2LA

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials AASHTO

American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists AATCC

American Bearing Manufacturers Association ABMA

American Bureau of Shipping ABS

American Concrete Institute ACI

American Dental Association ADA

American Gas Association AGA

American Gear Manufacturers Association AGMA

American Hardboard Association AHA

American Industrial Hygiene Association AIHA

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics AIAA

American Institute of Steel Construction AISC

American Institute of Timber Construction AITC

American Leather Chemists Association ALCA
40

American National Metric Council ANMC

American National Standards Institute ANSI

American Petroleum Institute API

American Plywood Association APA

American Railway Engineering & Maintenance-of-Way Association AREMA

American Society for Nondestructive Testing ASNT

American Society for Quality ASQ

American Society of Cinematographers ASC

American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning 

Engineers ASHRAE

American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME

American Society of Safety Engineers ASSE

American Society of Sanitary Engineering ASSE

American Water Works Association AWWA

American Welding Society AWS

American Wood Preservers Association AWPA

APA - The Engineered Wood Association APA

Architectural Woodwork Institute AWI

Association for Automatic Indentification & Mobility AIM

Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation AAMI

Association of Automatic Indentification and Data Capture 

Technologies AIM

ASTM International ASTM

British Standards Institution BSI

Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association BHMA

Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc BOCA

Canadian General Standards Board CGSB

Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute CISPI

Compressed Gas Association CGA

Construction Specifications Institute CSI

Cooling Technology Institute CTI

Cordage Institute CI

Data Interchange Standards Association, Inc. DISAI

Deep Foundations Institute DFI

Deutsches Institut fur Nomung - German Institute for Standardization DIN

Electronic Commerce Code Management Association ECCMA

Electronic Components Assemblies & Materials Association ECAMA
41

Electronic Industries Alliance EIA

Electrostatic Discharge Association ESDA

FM Global FMG

Government Electronics & Information Technology Association GEITA

Graphic Communications Association GCA

Gypsum Association GA

Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association HPVA

High Frequency Industry Association HFIA

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Inc. HFESI

Illuminating Engineering Society of North America IESNA

Information Technology Industry Council ITI

Institute for Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits IPC

Institute of Clean Air Companies ICAC

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers IEEE

Institute of Environmental Sciences & Technology IEST

Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society ISA

Insulated Cable Engineers Association ICEA

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials IAPMO

International Code Council ICC

InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards INCITS

International Organization for Standardization ISO

International Organization for Standardization/International 

Electrotechnical Commission ISO/IEC

International Telecommunication Union ITU

IPC - Association Connecting Electronics Industries IPC

JEDEC - Solid State Technology Association JEDEC

Machinery Informaiton Management Open Systems MIMOSA

Magnetic Materials Producers Association MMPA

Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings 

Industry MSSVFI

National Aerospace Standards Commitee NASC

National Association of Chain Manufacturers NACM

National Association of Corrosion Engineers International NACE

National Association of Relay Manufacturers NARM

National Electrical Manufacturers Association NEMA

National Fire Protection Association NFPA

National Fluid Power Association NFLPA

National Information Standards Organization NISO
42

National Petroleum Management Association NPMA

NCSL International NCSLI

NSF International NSFI

Optics and Electro-Optics Standards Council OEOSC

Parachute Industry Association PIA

Pipe Fabrication Institiute PFI

Plastic Pipe Institute PPI

Plumbing and Draining Institute PDI

Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association PHCCA

Quarter-Inch Cartridge Drive Standards, Inc. QCDS

Rack Manufacturers Institute RMI

Resistance Welders Manufacturers Association RWMA

Rubber Manufacturers Association RMA

Scientific Apparatus Makers Association SAMA

Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors National Association SMACNA

Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization SISO

Society of Allied Weight Engineers SAWE

Society of Automotive Engineers SAE

Standards Engineering Society SES

Steel Door Institute SDI

Steel Founders Society of America SFSA

Steel Window Institute SWI

The Instrucmentation Systems and Automation Society ISAS

The Soap and Detergent Association SDA

The Tire and Rim Association, Inc. TRAI

Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association TTMA

Underwriters Laboratories UL

Window and Door Manufacturers Association WDMA

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 0

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

The Department does not collect conformity assessment activity information

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:
43

The Department recommends the National Institute of Standards and Technology 

continue to highlight in the Congressional report examples of how governmental agencies 

are participating in the development of voluntary consensus standards and using these 

documents to meet requirements. The effectiveness of Circlar A-119 can only be 

enhanced if policy makers are aware of the positive results using voluntary consensus 

standards can achieve. 

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

In consideration of government security restrictions, the Department is unable to collect 

actual personnel information related to participation in voluntary consensus activities. 

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; No

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; C

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; Yes

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 5
44

Department of Education (ED) 

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the principal statistical agency 

within the U.S. Department of Education uses standards to provide high quality, reliable, 

useful, and informative statistical information to public policy decision makers and to the 

general public. In particular, the standards that NCES follows are intended for use by 

NCES staff and contractors to guide them in their data collection, analysis, and 

dissemination activities. These standards are also intended to present a clear statement for 

data users regarding how data should be collected in NCES surveys, and the limits of 

acceptable applications and use. Beyond these immediate uses, NCES hope that other 

organizations involved in similar public endeavors will find the contents of some of 

NCES standards useful in their work. (Source: NCES Statistical Support Standards: 

NCES 2003-601) 

The Department of Education also uses standards in the implementation of Information 

Technology for the Department which ultimately enhances the delivery of Department 

Education services to citizens. The Department of Education uses Information 

Technology Standards to implement common enabling services and infrastructure 

services. These Information Technology standards used in the Department of Education’s 

Enterprise Architecture also fulfill OMB’s requirement for a Standards Profile. (Source: 

Department of Education Enterprise Standards and Guidelines Technology Standards 

Profile, Volume I: Enterprise Standards Profile Version 1.0) 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 0

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 0

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: 
45

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 3

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

National Forum on Education Statistics NCES Forum

Post Secondary Electronic Standards Organization PESC

School Interoperability Framework Association SIFA

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 12

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

None

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

no comment

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

no comment

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; Yes

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; C

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; Yes

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 1
46

Department of Energy (DOE)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

The Department of Energy (DOE) uses voluntary consensus standards (VCSs) 

extensively in managing, operating, and implementing requirements applicable to its 

diverse sites, laboratories, operations, and facilities. The VCSs are used to support a wide 

range of program areas, including those addressing nuclear weapons and materials 

production, energy research, energy efficiency, oil storage, hydroelectric power, 

accelerator operations, and nuclear facility decommissioning. VCSs are consulted, 

referenced and applied in mission-related design, procurement, construction, operations, 

maintenance, emergency operations, and decommissioning efforts; in environment, safety 

and health management; in DOE research and development activities; in security and 

safeguards programs; and in overall business operations and management. 

Other areas where DOE and its contractors use VCSs include: 

a. Writing procedures; 

b. Establishing safety criteria (e.g., for worker job task analyses, fire protection, nuclear 

criticality safety, nuclear facility safety); and 

c. Supporting internal DOE Technical Standards. 

DOE’s Technical Standards Program website is located at 

www.hss.energy.gov/NuclearSafety/techstds/. 

Examples/Case Studies: 

(1) DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory has successfully applied ANSI/HPS Standard 

N13.12. N13.12 is a standard providing consensus-based surface and volume 

radioactivity criteria for release of property in developing release limits under CERCLA 

for concrete slabs. 

(2) DOE’s Savannah River Site has implemented the transition from site standards to 

national codes and standards to be in compliance with Public Law 104-113 and OMB A119. This transition resulted in the reduction of the over 700 site-specific standards and 

guides to the present day use of national codes and standards, supplemented by 12 site 

standards and 64 site guides. 

(3) DOE’s Y-12 Site has several employees involved with the American Glovebox 

Society (AGS), writing and publishing documents related to gloveboxes. Y-12 has found 

that by developing common requirements and expectations for gloveboxes and related 

equipment, vendors have been able to standardize their products so that features and 

components can be standardized for various customers. Gloveboxes used by the various 

DOE facilities, as well as industries such as pharmaceutical, biological, and other 
47

laboratories, all have unique requirements and are generally designed around a specific 

operation. However, by standardizing such features as glovebox windows and their 

attachment to gloveboxes, fabricators are able to standardize tooling and fabrication 

methods that reduce the cost for all customers. Another benefit to DOE is the use of 

proven, widely-applied standardized designs and practices. The Y-12 Site uses AGS

standards to execute new designs. The Y-12 Site also specifies AGS standards in 

procurement subcontracts for the glovebox fabricators to follow. One example of where 

this has been beneficial is in the standardization of requirements for welding related to

glovebox fabrication. Before using AGS standards, vendors had to carefully evaluate 

potentially unique Y-12 Site requirements and specifications related to glovebox 

fabrication. However, the Y-12 Site now specifies that welding shall be in accordance 

with AGS-G006-2005, "Standard of Practice for the Design and Fabrication of NuclearApplication Gloveboxes." Vendors know exactly what they must do to meet the 

requirements of this standard. 

(4) Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has several new facility construction 

projects and hundreds of facility or system modification projects underway at any given 

time. Every one of these projects and modifications follows national codes and standards 

such as the National Electric Code, and the International Building Code. These codes 

reference hundreds of supporting national consensus standards which are integral to the 

work done at LANL.

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 0

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 171

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: N/A

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 80

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

Air Movement and Control Association AMCA

Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute ARI

American Architectural Manufacturers Association AAMA
48

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials AASHTO

American Chemical Society ACS

American Concrete Institute ACI

American Industrial Hygiene Association AIHA

American Institute of Steel Construction AISC

American Iron and Steel Institute AISI

American Medical Association AMA

American National Standards Institute ANSI

American Nuclear Society ANS

American Petroleum Institute API

American Public Health Association APHA

American Railway Engineering & Maintenance-of-Way Association AREMA

American Society for Nondestructive Testing ASNT

American Society for Quality ASQ

American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning 

Engineers ASHRAE

American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME

American Water Works Association AWWA

American Welding Society AWS

Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association ARMA

Associated Air Balance Council AABC

Association for Information and Image Management AIIM

Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering AACEI

ASTM International ASTM

Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc BOCA

Ceilings and Interior Systems Construction Association CISCA

Compressed Gas Association CGA

Construction Safety Association of Ontario CSAO

Cooling Technology Institute CTI

Crane Manufacturing Association of America CMAA

Electronic Industries Alliance EIA

Glass Association of North America GANA

Gypsum Association GA

Illuminating Engineering Society of North America IESNA

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers IEEE

Institute of Makers of Explosives IME

Institute of Transportation Engineers ITE
49

Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society ISA

Insulated Steel Door Systems Institute ISDSI

International Air Transport Association IATA

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials IAPMO

International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA

International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO

International Code Council ICC

International Commission of Non-ionizing Radiation Protection and 

Measurements ICNIRP

International Commission on Radiation Protection ICRP

International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements, Inc. ICRU

International Conference of Building Officials ICBO

International Organization for Standardization ISO

International Organization for Standardization/International 

Electrotechnical Commission ISO/IEC

Metal Lath/Steel Framing Association, A Division of NAAMM MLSFA

National Association of Architectural Metal Manufacturers NAAMM

National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements NCRP

National Electrical Manufacturers Association NEMA

National Fire Protection Association NFPA

National Ground Water Association NGWA

National Information Standards Organization NISO

National Safety Council NSC

National Window and Door Association NWDA

NCSL International NCSLI

Painting and Decorating Contractors of America PDCA

Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association PHCCA

Portland Cement Association PCA

Post-Tensioning Institute PTI

Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute PCI

Resilient Floor Covering Institute RFCI

Scaffolding, Shoring, and Forming Institute, Inc. SSFI

Screen Manufacturers Association SMA

Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors National Association SMACNA

Single Ply Roofing Institute SPRI

Society of American Value Engineers SAVE

Society of Automotive Engineers SAE

Society of Fire Protection Engineers SFPE
50

Steel Door Institute SDI

Steel Joist Institute SJI

Steel Window Institute SWI

Underwriters Laboratories UL

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 430

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

The Department of Energy does not track conformity assessment activities.

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

OMB A-119 continues to effectively provide the framework of requirements for DOE’s 

involvement in national VCS standards-setting initiatives, and requirements for 

consideration of VCSs applicable to DOE needs prior to our development of agencyspecific standards.

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

The Department of Energy and its Standards Executive recognize the valuable role that 

VCSs play in facilitating the implementation of DOE requirements, and in supporting the 

Department’s mission, strategic themes, and diverse program areas. DOE will continue to 

participate in and sponsor, as appropriate, VCS initiatives to ensure that the Department’s 

needs and interests are represented in national and international VCS initiatives important 

to the success of DOE’s mission, programs and operations.

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; Yes

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; C

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; Yes
51

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 5
52

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) 

Under the auspices of the Secretary’s Initiative on Personalized Health Care, a work 

group functioning under the American Health Information Community (AHIC), a Federal 

Advisory Committee focused on personalized healthcare, was charged with determining 

how health information technology (HIT) and standards could be used to develop an 

interoperable integration of genomic test information into personal electronic health 

records. Personalized healthcare begins with HIT and the electronic health record. Two 

implementation projects and products emerged. 

Family Health History Tool 

The Family Health History Tool was developed to enhance the integration of 

interoperable family health history information into Electronic Health Records (EHRs). 

The Family Health History Tool enables consumers/beneficiaries to share information 

with healthcare providers and other family members. This was achieved through federal 

development activities to support family history information capture and use in 

PHR/EHR systems as well as shared standards development and deployment of the 

common data elements. A multi-stakeholder workgroup, including the private sector, 

federal health care providers, and federal Public Health Service agencies, was formed to 

develop a core minimum data set and common data definition available for primary care 

collection of family health history information. The core data set of standards for Family 

Health History contains interoperability and portability specifications based on the Health 

Level Seven (HL7) Family History Model, SNOMED-CT, HL7 Vocabulary and LOINC 

(Logical Observations Identifiers Names and Codes) standards. 

Description of Newborn Screening Coding and Terminology Guide 

The Personalized Healthcare Workgroup developed a Newborn Screening Coding and 

Terminology Guide of condition and analyte terminology, codes, and mapping that is 

provided as a supplement to the newborn screening use case for the purpose of 

facilitating development of electronic laboratory reports for newborn screening. The 

Guide is a web-based tool that brings together a variety of coding systems that may be 

required for rare disorders genetic disorders and provides LOINC codes to assist in 

identifying results included in a newborn screening report and documenting the methods 

used in the laboratory. In addition to Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes 

(LOINC), codes identified as relevant to newborn screening conditions include the 

American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) codes for conditions, Systematized 

Nomenclature Of Medicine – Clinical Terms (SNOMED–CT), International 

Classification of Diseases (ICD9 and -10), Enzyme Commission (EC), Online Mendelian 

Inheritance in Man (OMIM), Swiss-Prot codes. Semantic interoperability based on 

harmonized terminology and coding standards is important elements in the electronic 
53

transmission of newborn screening laboratory tests and associated results. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

A prime example of the work done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

within the Standards Development Organizations area is a recently approved Clinical and 

Laboratory Standards Institute guideline, Quality Control for Commercial Microbial 

Identification Systems; Approved Guideline (M50-A), published in August 2008. A CDC 

chief of the Laboratory Practice Standards Branch, Division of Laboratory Systems, 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, served as chairholder for the CLSI 

Subcommittee on Quality Control for Commercial Microbial ID Systems, the group that 

developed this guideline. Thousands of microbiology laboratories in the United States 

that are subject to CLIA are expected to benefit from using M50-A, which will allow 

them to reduce their resources spent on quality control testing. Additionally, many 

microbiology laboratories worldwide are expected to follow the approach in this 

guideline to ensure the quality of their microbial identification results.” The Agency is 

also very involved in the voluntary standards process and has been for a number of years. 

See http://www.cdc.gov/phin/activities/standards/index.html for an example of a current 

system using voluntary consensus standards. 

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 

CMS recognizes the value of adopting standards and is committed to encouraging their 

adoption as they are approved by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS). Since most of CMS’ business processes depend to a large degree on 

contractor systems, as well as other industry stakeholder systems, it is vital that the 

standards creation and adoption process involves these entities and that careful analysis is 

done to minimize risk. 

We have been working closely with the HHS Office of the National Coordinator for HIT 

(ONC) to determine how we can promote interoperability through a common set of 

standards. Additionally, CMS is a member of standards setting organizations such as 

HL7, NCPDP, and X12, and regularly participates in meetings of these as well as other 

organizations. A CMS representative serves as the lead staff member on the NCVHS 

Subcommittee on Standards and Security. We also work closely with the Healthcare 

Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSP) to harmonize standards. 

CMS is involved in standards development, adoption and implementation activities in the 

following areas: 

* Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Standards Adoption –

CMS has been actively involved in standards adoption as a regulator and health plan for 

over a decade. Besides writing regulations related to HIPAA, CMS has conducted 

extensive outreach to educate and promote the adoption of HIPAA transactions that 

standardize administrative transactions. CMS has also worked with its contractors to 

make the systems changes necessary to accommodate HIPAA compliant transactions. 
54

* E-Prescribing Standards – The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and 

Modernization Act of 2003 (the MMA) established a process for adopting e-prescribing 

standards for use under the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. In November 

2005, HHS adopted a set of foundation standards for e-prescribing that took effect with 

the start of the Medicare Part D program on January 1, 2006, and we also conducted a 

pilot program in 2006 testing additional e-prescribing standards. Results from the pilot 

were the basis for the selection of three additional standards developed by VCSBs which 

were adopted through a final rule in April 2008 and which take effect on April 1, 2009. 

* National Standards - The agency mission is “To ensure effective, up-to-date health care 

coverage and to promote quality care for beneficiaries.” The agency strategic action plan 

to accomplish that mission incorporates usage of national standards, not only for 

electronic data interchange (EDI) transaction, code set and identifier standards, but also 

for electronic prescribing, maintenance of beneficiary (and all patient) medical records, 

and interoperability of usage of standards to enable all facets of the health care industry 

to freely exchange medical information where warranted to avoid unnecessary 

duplicative tests, reduce medical errors, and allow beneficiaries and health care providers 

to make informed health care decisions. 

* Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) - CMS participation in VCS is predominately 

restricted to implementation and development of those standards designated by the 

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 adopted as 

national EDI standards. For additional information, please reference the EDI pages on the 

CMS web site: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ElectronicBillingEDITrans/03_EDISupport.asp 

* Administrative Simplification Compliance ACT (ASCA) Standards - CMS has 

enforced the ASCA provision that requires billing Medicare electronically. The 

enforcement process was initiated in 2006 by monitoring 10% of providers billing on 

paper. 

* Electronic Billing Standards - The affect of both regulations (HIPAA that requires the 

use of standards when billing electronically and ASCA that requires billing electronically 

to receive Medicare reimbursement) has reduced operational cost in the Medicare Fee For 

Service program. Since this enforcement process was initiated, bills received 

electronically rather than on paper have reached 99.8% for Medicare Part A and 95.6% 

for Medicare Part B. The processing cost of an electronic claim is conservatively 

estimated at $0.75 less than a paper claim. 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has had a very successful year in the 

application of standards to the management of the risk posed by the products FDA 

regulates. 

Standards developed by The Center for Biological Evaluation and Research (CBER) 
55

through interactions with various standard development bodies, including voluntary 

consensus standard organizations and or industry consortia can provide benefit to 

stakeholders in multiple ways. CBER interactions with these organizations have resulted 

in development of several standards that affect various aspects (e.g., clinical, product, 

pharmacology/ toxicology clinical, inspectional, bioinformatics) for products CBER 

regulates and ultimately facilitate development, approval and improvements in existing 

and new products, and appropriate regulation including compliance activities with 

existing products. Typically standards provide a generally acceptable path that developers 

and manufacturers can follow in product development and approval. However, the option 

almost always remains for developers and manufacturers to adapt general standards to 

specific products and/or to follow a more acceptable approach. 

Establishment and use of standards result in benefits to CBER that include: international 

standards that can be used by multiple regulatory regions; following our legal mandate to 

facilitate harmonization on an international level; often better utilization of limited 

internal resources; more direct participation by various stakeholders in development of 

standards 

CBER also has created unique opportunities to develop standards, by participating in 

standards development in a unique collaborative effort with service or material donations 

from multiple organizations including academic and corporate institutions. For example, 

CBER organized an Adenovirus Associated Reference Materials Working Group that 

developed an adenoviral virus reference material and adenoviral virus associated 

reference material. The reference material is used to define the particle and infectious 

units for adenovirus vectors used in gene therapy thus facilitating advancement in this 

developing field and helping to assure patient safety. 

Examples of Voluntary Consensus Standards Development/Use in the Center for Drug 

Evaluation and Research (CDER) include: 

ASTM Technical Standard E2503-07 Standard Practice for Qualification of Basket and 

Paddle Dissolution Apparatus 

Understanding and controlling the sources of variability inherent in analytical instruments 

and methods are critical to ensuring sound decisions during development or testing of 

pharmaceutical products. Minimizing instrument and method variability gives improved 

confidence that different outcomes are a result of actual product properties and not 

measurement system variability. 

For dissolution testing, the sources of variability are many from instrument set up through 

the determinative step, and each product will have its own sensitivity to each source. 

Current practice includes some mechanical set up of the instrumentation followed by use 

of the USP calibrator tablets as a performance check. In 2000, PhRMA published results 

from a collaborative study to evaluate the performance of the then current USP Calibrator 

Tablets (1). Their recommendations included enhanced mechanical calibration testing on 

each dissolution bath and a reduction in reliance on calibrator tablets. USP did not change 
56

their practice despite these recommendations. FDA and PhRMA built on these 

recommendations and worked through ASTM to develop a more stringent mechanical 

calibration procedure for the paddle and basket apparatus (2). This approach was 

endorsed by the FDA Pharmaceutical Science Advisory Committee in October 2005 (2). 

The ASTM consensus standard process provided the environment to tighten and refine 

the mechanical calibration criteria for the dissolution apparatus first proposed in 2000 by 

PhRMA. This rigorous mechanical set up will ensure less instrument contribution to test 

method variability for dissolution testing. 

For references see: 

1) Subcommittee on Dissolution Calibration, Pharmaceutical Research and 

Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). Dissolution Calibration: Recommendation for 

Reduced Chemical Testing and Enhanced Mechanical Calibration. Pharm. Forum 2000; 

26(4):1149-1166. 

2) See http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/cder05.html#PharmScience 

The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) uses voluntary consensus 

standards in the following capacities: 

1) The model ordinance titled The Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO). The PMO is a 

document developed by The National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments 

(NCIMS), an organization which includes the states, FDA, and representatives of the 

milk industry. It specifies the requirements for the construction and operation of 

equipment used in the Grade “A” milk industry, from the cow to the retail shelf. The 

PMO requirements are adopted by all 50 states and several territories. The provisions of 

the PMO are also used as part of the specifications for U.S. military procurement 

overseas, and have served as a model for countries developing their milk regulatory 

systems. FDA benefits in improved public health because it standardized the 

requirements for the safe production and processing of milk and milk products. 

2) The National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS). The NCIMS 

develops the PMO and with FDA oversight and technical assistance provides the U.S. 

regulatory system for Grade “A” milk and Grade “A” milk products. FDA benefits from 

this association because it leverages state resources to provide this program (a multiplier 

effect). 

3) 3-A SSI – 3-A Dairy Standards and 3-A Dairy Practices. The PMO references 3-A 

Dairy Standards and Practices and states in several places that equipment that meets the 

applicable 3-A standard complies with PMO requirements. FDA benefits in that there is 

significant cost savings in not having to develop equipment and processing standards, and 

through improved collaboration with the equipment manufacturing industry, dairy 

producers, milk processors, and state regulators. 

Cooperative Shellfish Regulatory Program with the States 
57

The Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish contains within it the Model Ordinance 

(MO). The MO is a document developed by the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation 

Conference (ISSC), an organization which includes 33 states, the District of Columbia, 

five foreign countries, FDA, other Federal agencies and representatives of the shellfish 

industry. It specifies the requirements for the National Shellfish Sanitation Program 

(NSSP). The MO requirements are either adopted by reference or incorporated into an 

individual state’s regulations. The ISSC develops the MO and, with FDA oversight and 

technical assistance, provides the U.S. regulatory system for molluscan shellfish. FDA 

benefits in improved public health because it standardizes the requirements for the safe 

harvest, processing and shipping of molluscan shellfish, as well as benefiting from the 

use of state resources to implement this program. 

Association of Official Analytical Chemists International (AOAC) 

Microbiological, chemical, and physical methods of analysis provided by AOAC 

international and published in the organization’s various methods compendia are used in 

numerous regulatory surveillance, monitoring programs, and enforcement programs. 

Uniform Application of Public Health and Sanitation Standards 

The Voluntary Consensus Standard (VCS) that applies to the design and manufacture of 

food equipment helps protect public health by ensuring that such equipment performs as 

intended and can be maintained in a sanitary manner. VCS helps to ensure uniform 

application of public health and sanitation standards in retail food establishments across 

the country without requiring 2,000 regulatory agencies to develop and apply their own 

standards for equipment used in those establishments. 

VCS also promotes uniformity and quality across programs that train and certify food 

establishment managers. 

The FD&C Act requires the Center for Devices and Radiological Health to annually 

publish a list of voluntary consensus standards “recognized” by the Agency for the use of 

manufacturers and others in meeting the regulatory requirements of the FDA. The list of 

“recognized Standards and several applicable guidance documents are available at 

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/stdsprog.html. 

Indian Health Service (IHS) 

Standards are an integral part of the effective operations of the Indian Health Service 

(IHS). Health-related standards, such as Health Level Seven (HL7), allow interoperability 

among health information systems improving the standard of patient care for the 

American Indian/Alaskan Native populations, the primary mission of the IHS. Other 

standards provide for the efficient transmission of insurance data for revenue generation 

and interoperability among disparate systems for information sharing, such as 

immunization data (IHS currently exchanges immunization data with several states). IHS 

participates fully in activities to incorporate recognized interoperability specifications 
58

into IHS systems, in accordance with recent Executive Orders. The improved 

interoperability should enable IHS and the Veterans Health Administration to exchange 

medical information over the Nationwide Health Information Network, in support of the 

recommendations from the Global War on Terror Returning Heroes Commission. IHS 

adopted and uses standards for security and privacy of patient and employee data, for 

communication of biomedical diagnostic and therapeutic information for digital imaging, 

for technical specifications used in telemedicine and technical services, for national drug 

codes, for energy- and environmentally-friendly construction, and for reporting medical 

services and procedures. 

National Institutes of Health / National Cancer Institute (NIH/NCI) 

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) established the Clinical Proteomic Technologies for 

Cancer (CPTC) to accelerate the translation of proteomics from a research tool into a 

reliable and robust clinical application. This program is designed to accelerate the 

translation of proteomics from a research tool into a reliable and robust clinical 

application by improving protein measurement capabilities and evaluating promising 

technologies for applicability in both analytical and clinical validation studies. This is to 

be achieved through identifying major sources of experimental variability and optimizing 

existing proteomic platforms to enable labs to compare data and results; developing 

innovative and advanced proteomic technologies capable of identifying rare cancerrelated proteins circulating in body fluids such as blood; and developing a much needed 

clinical reagents and resources core of well-characterized biological samples, reagents, 

reference sets, and standards available to the scientific community. 

National Institutes of Health / National Library of Medicine (NIH/NLM) 

For more than four decades, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) has conducted and 

supported groundbreaking research and development related to the representation, 

interpretation, and use of biomedical knowledge in electronic forms including electronic 

health records. Numerous reports by the Institute of Medicine and other experts in the 

health care industry have stated that health data standards are key to the development of a 

successful electronic health record system. In 2004, following recommendations of the 

National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS) and the Institute of 

Medicine to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, NLM was designated the 

central coordinating body for clinical terminology standards within HHS. In this role, 

NLM is the official depository and distribution center for clinical terminologies, 

responsible for integrating them within the UMLS Metathesaurus, and responsible for the 

development and maintenance of mappings between designated standard clinical 

terminologies and important related terminologies, including the HIPAA code sets. 

NLM is working with (and, in some cases, providing funding to) vocabulary developers, 

message standards development organizations, other Federal agencies, and users of 

standards to respond to these recommendations. NLM produces the UMLS 

Metathesaurus, which incorporates many different vocabularies, classifications, and code 

sets; funds the ongoing maintenance and distribution of LOINC (Logical Observations 
59

Identifiers Names and Codes); pays the annual membership fee that permits U.S.-wide 

use of SNOMED CT within the UMLS Metathesaurus and in native format; and produces 

and distributes RxNorm both within the UMLS Metathesaurus and separately. LOINC, 

SNOMED CT, and RxNorm have all been designated as U.S. Government-wide clinical 

standards via the Consolidated Health Informatics (CHI) eGov project for use in U.S. 

Federal Government systems. They have subsequently been identified in various 

interoperability specifications of the Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel 

(HITSP) for use throughout the U.S. healthcare spectrum. 

In 2007 the International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation 

(IHTSDO) was established to assume ownership, maintenance, and distribution of 

SNOMED CT in order to significantly promote global standardization of health 

information. NLM, on behalf of HHS, participated in the negotiations and is now the U.S. 

Member of the IHTSDO. This new organization is enabling NLM, on behalf of the U.S., 

to establish a new process for input to SNOMED CT development. In addition NLM is 

working with the IHTSDO to facilitate negotiations for the alignment and harmonization 

between SNOMED CT and key health terminologies including LOINC and RxNorm. 

NLM has been an active participant in several genetic information collaboration efforts in 

response to American Health Information Community (AHIC) recommendations. These 

projects include the expansion of LOINC in areas of genetic testing and newborn 

screening, development and testing of HL7 implementation guides for exchange of 

genetic testing results (in collaboration with Partner’s Healthcare and Intermountain 

Health Care), and development of RefSeqGene, a reference standard for reporting and 

interpreting clinically significant genetic variations. 

NLM continues working on projects to create mappings between standard clinical 

vocabularies, HIPAA code sets, and other key vocabularies used in Federal health 

information systems. The initial projects are focused on creating maps between the core 

clinical vocabularies recommended by the NCVHS (SNOMED CT, LOINC, and 

RxNorm) and the required HIPAA code sets (CPT and ICD-9-CM). Availability of these 

mappings should facilitate development and implementation by health care providers of 

electronic health records that capture clinical data at the point of care and subsequently 

generate required HIPAA code set data for claims and other administrative transactions. 

NLM works closely with Dr. Robert Kolodner, and other representatives from the HHS 

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to ensure 

NLM’s vocabulary harmonization and standards efforts are in sync with those of ONC 

and the American Health Information Community (the Community). NLM serves on the 

Board of the Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSP), the ANSIorganized stakeholder group that is coordinating standards specification efforts around 

the breakthrough use cases approved by the Community and was one of the NIH 

representatives on the AHIC Workgroup on Personalized Healthcare. 

A complete list of NLM’s activities relating to health information technology and health 

data standards is available from the NLM Website at 
60

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/healthit.html. 

Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology (ONC) 

The Office of the National Coordinator for Healthcare Information Technology (ONC) 

has the advancement of health interoperability through the use of voluntary consensus 

based standards as one of its core missions. Again this year, ONC has supported the 

Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSP), a public – private process 

with over 600 healthcare related organizations participating to harmonize voluntary 

consensus based standards, to ensure that they are adequately specified and to work with 

standard development organizations to fill healthcare related standards gaps. 52 

consensus based standards advanced by HITSP were “recognized” by the Secretary of 

Health and Human Services in January of 2008. 60 standards will be recognized in 

January of 2009 and HITSP has advanced a third round of health related standards to be 

advanced to the Secretary in January as well. 

These standards are, by executive order, expected to be implemented in all relevant 

federal health related systems and agreements and become part of a certification process, 

also sponsored by ONC to test their implementation in electronic health records, personal 

health records and networks. The Federal Health Architecture project in ONC helps 

agencies and OPDIVs comply with the implementation of recognized standards. 

The overall process for advancing health related interoperability is described at 

www.hhs.gov/healthit, HITSP work is available at www.hitsp.org and CCHIT at 

www.cchit.org. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the 

Federal Agency that Works to bring the best prevention, treatment, early intervention and 

recovery services to people with or at risk for substance use and mental disorders. 

The agency maintains a vision of “A Life in the Community for Everyone.” This vision is 

based on the belief that every American should have the opportunity for a fulfilling life 

that includes a job/education, a home, and meaningful personal relationships with friends 

and family. SAMHSA has sharply focused its mission on supporting States, local 

agencies, individuals including consumers and the recovery community working on 

“Building Resilience and Facilitating Recovery.” 

To support this mission, the Agency administers a combination of competitive and 

formula/block grant programs and data collection activities to increase accountability, 

capacity and effectiveness of the Nation’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service 

Delivery System. The Web site is www.samhsa.gov. 

The first area in which SAMHSA participates in voluntary consensus standards (VCS) 

bodies is related to Electronic Health Records (EHRs). EHRs are viewed as a technical 
61

innovation that can reduce costs and improve the efficiency of data reporting, 

accountability and improved outcomes. In addition, EHRs can support improvements in 

clinical care and foster more effective coordination of care between the mental health and 

substance use specialty treatment sectors and general health care. To assure the capability 

for health information exchange while maintaining appropriate confidentiality protections 

for substance abuse and mental health records, SAMHSA joined voluntary consensus 

organizations to create technical options for patient consent in an e-health environment. 

Membership in Health Level 7 (HL7) and Healthcare Information Technology Standards 

Panel (HITSP) allows SAMHSA to utilize a far wider range of expertise than allowed for 

by limited numbers of agency staff. In both HL7 and HITSP, SAMHSA participates in 

creating usable, consensus driven products that can support the health information 

exchange of sensitive information through all health care environments. In addition, 

SAMHSA supported the development of a behavioral health EHR profile which was 

selected for review by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information 

Technology. This work supports uniformity of standards for behavioral health across the 

public and private sectors. 

SAMHSA is also a member of the National Quality Forum (NQF), a voluntary consensus 

body for performance measurement. Over several years, SAMHSA developed clinical 

process of care performance measures for mental health and substance use treatment 

services. Two of these measures were successfully submitted for NQF endorsement. 

Additional measures, including a consumer perception of care assessment instrument, 

were submitted in FY 2008. National endorsement allows states and providers in the 

public and private sectors to have common standards that can be used for reporting 

activities related to quality and accountability, thereby reducing data and reporting 

burden on providers who report to different funders. 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 1

1. Government Unique Standard: FDA Guidelines on Asceptic Processing (2004) 

(Incorporated: 2004) 

Voluntary Standard 

ISO 13408-1 Asceptic Process ing of Health Care Products, Part 1, General Requirements 

Rationale 

FDA is not using the ISO standard because the applicability of these requirements is 

limited to only portions of aseptically manufactured biologics and does not include 

filtration, freeze-drying, sterilization in place, cleaning in place, or barrier-isolator 

technology. There are also significant issues related to aseptically produced bulk drug 

substance that are not included in the document 

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0
62

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 16

Other Technical Standards: 2

Rationale: Rationale for using Non-consensus Standards: The FDA Center for Biological 

Evaluation and Research (CBER) donor history questionnaire guidance, published on 10-

27-06, "recognizes” Donor History Questionnaire Version No. 1.1 dated June 2005 

(v.DHQ-1.1), prepared by the AABB (formerly known as the American Association of 

Blood Banks) Donor History Task Force, as an acceptable mechanism that is consistent 

with FDA requirements and recommendations for collecting donor history information. 

The rationale for this approach is that since AABB represents most of the blood banks 

and was already developing recommendations, it was considered a leveraging activity by 

CBER to see if these recommendations could be used. In the future, CBER may 

recognize other DHQ documents as acceptable, and intend to make all of the acceptable 

DHQ documents available at http://www.fda.gov/cber/dhq/dhq.htm.

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 195

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc 3-A SSI

Accredited Standards Committee X12 X12

Acoustical Society of America ASA

Adeno Associated Virus Reference Materials Working Group ARMWG

Adeno Associated Virus Reference Standard Working Group AAVSWG

Advisory Committee on Casualty Assessment Health Canada ACCA

Almond Board of California ABC

American Academy of Pediatrics AAP

American Association for Clinical Chemistry AACC

American Association of Blood Banks AABB

American Association of Cereal Chemists AACC

American Association of Physicists in Medicine AAPM

American Association of Tissue Banks AATB

American Backflow Prevention Association ABPA

American Bureau of Shipping ABS

American Chemical Society ACS

American College of Nuclear Physicians ACNP

American College of Radiology ACR

American College of Surgeons ACOS
63

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists ACGIH

American Dental Association ADA

American Foundation for the Accreditation of Haematopoietic Cell 

Therapy FAHCT

American Healthcare Information Community AHIC

American Industrial Hygiene Association AIHA

American Institute of Ultrasound Manufacturers AIUM

American Joint Commission on Cancer AJCC

American Medical Association AMA

American National Standards Institute ANSI

American Pacific Economic Conference APEC

American Psychiatric Association APA

American Public Health Association APHA

American Society for Gene Therapy ASGT

American Society for Healthcare Engineering ASHE

American Society for Reproductive Medicine ASRM

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers ASABE

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning 

Engineers ASHRAE

American Society of Mass Spectrometry ASMS

American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME

American Society of Quality Control ASQ

American Society of Safety Engineers ASSE

American Society of Sanitary Engineering ASSE

American Type Culture Collection ATCC

American Veterinary Medical Association AVMA

American Water Works Association AWWA

AOAC International AOAC

Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal 

Care International AAALAC

Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation AAMI

ASTM International ASTM

Baking Industry Sanitary Standards Committee BISSC

Brighton Collaboration BC

California Strawberry Commission CSC

Canadian General Standards Board CGSB

Canadian Standards Association CSA

Cantaloupe Board of California CBC

Central Laboratory for Blood Transfusion CLBT
64

Certification Commission for Health Information Technology CCHIT

Chocolate Manufacturers Association CMS

Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute CLSI

Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium CDISC

Clinical Laboratory for Blood Transfusion CLBT

Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute CLSI

Codex Alimentarius Commission CODEX

College of American Pathologists CAP

Committee on Operating Rules CORE

Conference for Food Protection CFP

Corn Refiners Association CRA

Cosmetic Ingredient Review CIR

Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association CTFA

Designated Standards Maintenance Organizations Board DSMO

Deutsches Institut fur Normung German Institute for Standardization DIN

Electronic Products Codes Global EPCG

ESD Association ESD

European Centre for Validation of Alternative Methods ECVAM

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization CENELEC

European Committee for Standardization CEN

European Directorate for Quality of Medicines EDQM

External RNA Controls Consortium ERCC

Eye Bank Association of America EBAA

Facility Guidelines Institute FGI

Federal Facilities Council FFC

Federal Health Architecture FHA

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO

Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapies FACS

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association FFVA

Fresh Produce Association of America FPA

Gelatin Manufacturers of America GMA

Global Harmonization Task Force GHTF

Health Canada Advisory Committee on Causality Assessment HCAA

Health Level Seven HL7

Health Physics Society HPS

Health Protection Branch Health Canada HPB

Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society HIMSS

Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel HITSP
65

Healthcare Interpretations Task Force HITF

Honey Board HB

Illuminating Engineering Society of North America IES

Industrial Safety and Equipment Association ISEA

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers IEEE

Institute of Nuclear Materials Management INMM

Instrument Society of America ISA

International Association of Cancer Registrars IACR

International Association of Color Manufacturers IACM

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials IAPMO

International Blood Group Reference Laboratory IBRGL

International Bottled Water Association IBWA

International Cellular Therapy Coding and Labeling Advisory Group CTCLAG

International Commission for Illumination CIE

International Commission on Harmonization of Technical 

Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Veterinary Use VICH

International Commission on the Harmonization of Technical 

Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use ICH

International Committee for Cosmetic Harmonization and International 

Cooperation CHIC

International Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative 

Methods ICCVAM

International Council for Commonality in Blood Banking Automation ICCBBA

International Crystal Foundation ICF

international Dairy Federation IDF

International Dairy Foods Association IDFA

International Electrotechnical Commission IEC

International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory 

Medicine IFCCLM

International Federation of Fruit Juice Producers IFFJP

International Fragrance Association IFRA

International Fresh-cut Produce Association IFPA

International Health Terminology Standard Development Organization IHTSDO

International Life Sciences Institute ILSI

International Natural Sausage Casing Association INSCA

International Nomenclature Committee INC

International Organization for Standardization ISO

International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council IPEC

International Society for Analytical Cytology ISAC
66

International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery ISCVS

International Society for Cell Therapy ISCT

International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners ISOPP

International Society on Thrombosis and Homeostasis ISTH

International Sprout Growers Association ISGA

International Union Against Cancer UICC

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry IUPAC

International Working Group on Standardization of Genomic 

Amplification Techniques SoGAT

Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference ISSC

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives JECFA

Laser Institute of America LIA

Logical Observation Identifier Names and Codes LOINC

National Academies of Science Institute of Medicine IOM

National Association of Photographic Manufacturers NAPM

National Automatic Merchandising Association NAMA

National Cancer Registrar Association NCRA

National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards NCCLS

National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics NCVHS

National Conference for Interstate Milk Shipments NCIMS

National Council for Prescription Drug Program NCPDP

National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements NCRPM

National Egg Regulators Association NERO

National Electrical Manufacturers Association NEMA

National Fire Protection Association NFPA

National Food Processors Association NFPA

National Institute for Biological Sciences and Controls NIBSC

National Marrow Donor Program NMDP

National Oilseed Processors Association NOPA

National Quality Forum NQF

National Toxicology Program NTP

National Uniform Billing Committee NUBC

National Uniform Claim Committee NUCC

National Uniform Claim Reason and Status Code Maintenance 

Committee NUCRSCMC

North America Free Trade Association NAFTA

North America Millers Association NAMA

North American Association of Central Cancer Registries NAACCR
67

Northwest Horticultural Council NHC

NSF International NSFI

Optical Laboratories Association OLA

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD

Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards OASIS

Pan American Health Organization PAHO

Pan American Network for Drug Regulatory Harmonization PANDRH

Parenteral Drug Association PDA

Produce Marketing Association PMA

Regulated Product Submission RPS

Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North 

America RESNA

Remittance Advice Remarks Code Committee RARCC

Research Institute for Fragrance Materials RIFM

Society for Glassware and Ceramic Decorations SGCD

Society for Toxicology SOT

Society of Automotive Engineers SAE

Society of Cosmetic Chemists SCC

Society of Toxicologic Pathology STP

Strategic National Implementation Process SNIP

Tea Association of America TAA

Technical Committee for Juice and Juice Products TCJJP

Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society UHMS

Underwriters Laboratories UL

United Egg Producers UEP

United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association UFFVA

United States Adopted Names Council USANC

United States Animal Health Association USAHA

United States Egg and Poultry Association USEPA

United States Pharmacopoeia USP

Western Growers Association WGA

Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange WEDI

World Health Organization WHO

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 854
68

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

Conformance activities are conducted under applicable regulations and guidance. 

Standards may become part of conformance activities as they may provide an acceptable 

approach to be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. FDA laboratories, 

which conduct official product testing are in the process of becoming ISO/IEC 17025 

accredited. The FDA has conducted staff training and is in the process of writing a 

Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual centrally documenting Center policies and 

procedures related to the official testing of regulated biological products. FDA is also 

implementing a quality management software tool to assist in the effort under the 

direction of quality assurance managers hired to coordinate the implementation of an ISO 

17025-based quality system.

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

HHS has no comments or recommendations.

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

None.

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; Yes

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; C

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; Yes

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 1
69

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

This Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) overriding and urgent mission is to lead 

the unified national effort to secure the country and preserve our freedoms. While the 

Department was created to secure our country against those who seek to disrupt the 

American way of life, our charter also includes preparation for and response to all 

hazards and disasters. The citizens of the United States must have the utmost confidence 

that the Department can execute both of these missions. 

To fulfill its mission, the Department is organized to reflect its operational, programmatic 

and administrative responsibilities. This report will highlight the use of use voluntary 

consensus standards (VCS) by key components, directorates, offices, agencies, and 

programs. While some of the Department’s activities use standards in a manner 

consistent with the OMB Circular, e.g. referencing VCS in procurement specification for 

operational equipment used by DHS components, and utilizing VCS in regulations; the 

Department does use standards for procurement somewhat indirectly. Part of the 

Department’s mission to develop and implement systems to develop a national capability 

for domestic preparedness and response. DHS executes these missions through programs 

that provide assistance to state and local governments. The assistance empowers state and 

local procurement officials to acquire technology and DHS manages the risk by 

developing qualified equipment lists and conformity assessment systems which utilizes 

VCS. For example, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Grants 

Program is responsible for preparing the nation against terrorism by assisting states, local 

and tribal jurisdictions, and regional authorities as they prevent, deter, and respond to 

terrorist acts. They provide a broad array of assistance to America's first responders 

through funding, coordinated training, exercises, equipment acquisition, and technical 

assistance. FEMA administers the Homeland Security Grants Program (HSGP), which 

awards more than $1.6 billion to enhance the ability of states, territories, and urban areas 

to prepare for, prevent, and respond to terrorist attacks and other major disasters. HSGP 

funds can be used for preparedness planning, equipment acquisition, training, exercises, 

management, and administration in order to obtain resources that are critical to building 

and sustaining capabilities that are aligned with the Interim National Preparedness Goal 

and respective State and Urban Area Homeland Security Strategies. FEMA maintains an 

Authorized Equipment List (AEL) which provides identify allowable equipment 

categories purchases under the HSGP. The AEL references VCS adopted by the 

Department. 

Federal Emergency Management Agency 

Mitigation: 
70

FEMA’s Mitigation Directorate is committed to reducing the ever-increasing cost that 

natural disasters inflict on our country. Constructing or retrofitting buildings to withstand 

anticipated forces from these hazards is one of the key components of mitigation, and the 

only truly effective way of reducing this cost. Therefore, model building code and 

standards organizations play a critical role in helping FEMA to accomplish its mission. 

Through knowledge gained from the effects of disasters on the nation’s building stock 

and through FEMA’s work with its partner organizations, the Mitigation Directorate, 

FEMA has worked for several years to develop technical and practical information that 

can be used to strengthen model building codes and practices. The development of 

national consensus standards is an important part of that process and FEMA has worked 

with many of these organizations to help provide timely information. 

To remain compliant with statutory responsibilities under the National Earthquake 

Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) and in accordance with its mission to reduce 

losses from all hazards, FEMA supports the development of national volunteer consensus 

standards through its mitigation programs. 

National Preparedness: 

Within FEMA’s National Preparedness Directorate, there is the Incident Management 

Systems Integration Division (IMSI), which leads the federal effort to establish and 

implement the National Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS is a framework 

that provides guidelines and principals to first responders in effort to achieve a single

nationwide system for managing incidents. NIMS ensures successful intra and interstate 

mutual aid activities and ensures a standard incident command structure across all 

jurisdictions, and establishes standards and guidelines for resource typing and 

multiagency coordination. NIMS is broad in scope and seeks to achieve information 

technology system interoperability as well as address the plan and people aspects of 

incident and emergency management. 

Part of the IMSI effort to promote NIMS and to provide guidance to first responders is to 

adopt existing standards that are consistent with NIMS doctrine, and recommend those 

standards for voluntary adoption by state and local jurisdictions for guidance in pursuit of 

full NIMS implementation. Our standard review process is conducted by a multidisciplinary field-based Practitioner Working Group (PWG) and Technical Working 

Group (TWG) to ensure the adopted NIMS standards are relevant, implementable, and 

useful, if adopted, in implementing NIMS. 

IMSI has adopted seven consensus standards to date. By adopting these voluntary 

consensus standards and recommending their adoption by state and local governments, 

IMSI has provided guidance and direction to first responders by further defining NIMS 

and providing established standards around which to build their respective incident 

management policies and programs. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 
71

CBP utilizes multiple standards in the accomplishment if its mission as principle guardian 

of the Nation’s frontline. Participation and contributions to national standards for 

technology, equipment and enforcement practices are evident in CBP’s employment of 

systems and initiatives such as the Port Radiation Inspection, Detection, and Evaluation 

(PRIDE), Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) , US- Visitor and 

Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program (US-VISIT), Secure Borders Initiative 

(SBI) and Container Security Initiative (CSI). 

Among the offices dedicated to standards use and activities, the Office of Training and 

Development (OTD), ensures that training delivered to CBP employees meets established 

quality standards of instruction and evaluation. Training standards apply to all accredited 

training programs, including e-learning components, and meet Federal Law Enforcement 

Training Accreditation (FLETA) Standards. The standards also adhere to Federal training 

mandates such as Shared Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) requirements and 

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding accessibility to electronic media. 

OTD standards address specific components required for all training developed for CBP 

and CBP contract personnel. The standards apply to all CBP national training programs 

and are to be used in concert with CBP training style guides as complete direction for the 

development of all CBP training. The objective of the standards is to ensure that training 

is developed, conducted, and evaluated using a systematic approach that provides 

continuous self-evaluation and improvement based on analysis, design, development, 

implementation, evaluation, and revision processes. 

http://cbpnet.cbp.dhs.gov/xp/cbpnet/otd/tpsd/ 

Additionally, Laboratories and Scientific Services scientific analyses and contributions to 

HSC classification and other enforcement of various trade commodities involving 

standardized scientific methodologies developed in conjunction with agencies such as 

Food & Drug Administration, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Center of 

Disease Control – Laboratory Response Network, Consumer Product Safety 

Commission. 

CBP’s practices establish and define standards that numerous law enforcement bodies 

adopt. However, CBP proceeds cautiously with each standard introduced to ensure the 

safety of its personnel and the Nation as a whole. 

Office of Health Affairs 

Within the Department of Homeland Security Office of Health Affairs, the use of 

voluntary consensus standards is critical to our mission as principal agent for the 

Department's medical and health security matters. The Office of Health Affairs (OHA) 

oversees the Department's bio-defense activities; leads a coordinated national architecture 

for biological and chemical Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) planning and 

catastrophic incident management; and ensures that Department employees have an 

effective occupational health and safety program. Standards are integral to success in 

each of these key mission areas. For example, technological standards related to the 

development of biological detectors ensure BioWatch is able to provide early detection of 
72

biological or chemical attacks. Incident management standards encompass a wide range 

of valuable standards to include emergency responder equipment, emergency response 

protocols, and emergency response certification and accreditation. All standards related 

to incident management response relate directly to key components of the NIMS and the 

National Response Framework. 

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) 

The mission of Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’) Federal Law Enforcement 

Training Center (FLETC) is to, “... train those who protect our homeland.” In order to 

facilitate this endeavor, the FLETC has developed and conducts all of the law 

enforcement training programs and subsequent courses of instruction following the 

processes outlined in various FLETC directives, policies, and procedures. These 

directives, policies, and procedures all support the professional training standards that are 

required by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation (FLETA). 

Over 30 years ago, the Presidential Commission Report, The Challenge of Crime in a 

Free Society, and a follow-up report, The Challenge of Crime in a Free Society: Looking 

Back Looking Forward, contained recommendations to increase professionalism and 

standardization of training. More recently, in a January 2000 report to the Congress, the 

Commission on the Advancement of Federal Law Enforcement reiterated and reinforced 

the need to develop and implement training standards. The Commission made it 

abundantly clear that core training in law enforcement functions, certification of the 

adequacy of training programs, and accreditation of agencies are all essential to 

maintaining public confidence in the professionalism of Federal law enforcement agents 

and officers. 

Beginning in 2000, in an effort to increase the professionalism of Federal law 

enforcement training, a task force of key training leaders from principal Federal and state 

law enforcement agencies began work to collaboratively conduct research to establish a 

premier training accreditation model. In the development of the model, Federal law 

enforcement training professionals established standards and procedures to evaluate the 

training academies and training programs used to train Federal law enforcement agents 

and officers. The intent was to develop an independent accreditation process that 

provides law enforcement agencies with an opportunity to voluntarily demonstrate that 

they meet and maintain compliance with an established set of professional standards and 

receive appropriate recognition. This independent accreditation process has been 

developed by the Office of Accreditation (OA), the working arm of the FLETA Board. 

Once developed, the process was approved by the FLETA Board, then administered and 

overseen by the OA. 

The accreditation of the FLETC academy and the various law enforcement training 

programs provides assurance to the agencies and citizens we serve, that the FLETC has 

voluntarily submitted to a process of self-regulation and has successfully achieved 

compliance with a set of professional training standards that have been collectively 

established by our peers within the law enforcement community. 
73

To date, the FLETC has been awarded the FLETA Board’s Academy Accreditation for 

the Glynco, Artesia, Charleston, and Cheltenham training sites, and Program 

Accreditation for twelve law enforcement training programs to include three Center Basic 

Programs: the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP), the Land Management 

Police Training Program (LMPT), and the Uniformed Police Training Program (UPTP); 

and nine Center Advanced Training Programs: the Boat Operator Anti-Terrorism 

Training Program (BOAT), the Driver Instructor Training Program (DITP), the Firearms 

Instructor Training Program (FITP), the Inland Boat Operators Training Program (IBOT), 

the Law Enforcement Instructor Training Program (LEITP), the Law Enforcement 

Instructor In-Service Training Program (LEIISTP), the Law Enforcement Control Tactics 

Instructor Training Program (LECTITP) the Marine Law Enforcement Training Program 

(MLETP), and the Physical Fitness Coordinator Instructor Training Program (PFCTP). 

These accomplishments demonstrate the FLETC’s continuous adherence to quality, 

effectiveness and integrity in meeting our organizational mission and in providing 

excellent education and training to our students who represent more than 80 Federal, in 

addition to a multitude of state, local, and international law enforcement agencies. For 

further information regarding FLETA, refer to www.fleta.gov. 

Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) 

Where possible, consensus standards form the foundation for the detailed and specific 

performance specifications used in DNDO acquisition programs. The American National 

Standards Institute (ANSI) N42 series standards are referenced in on-going Advanced 

Spectroscopic Portal program and the Human Portable Radiation Detection Systems 

efforts. In addition, DNDO is enhancing and supporting consensus standards for 

interoperable communications with the Organization for the Advancement of Structured 

Information Systems (OASIS), and National Information Exchange Model (NIEM). 

DNDO has developed a standard in cooperation with CBP and external agencies to be 

incorporated into NIEM as the chemical, biological, radiological/nuclear (CBRN) 

domain. 

In 2008, DNDO developed the Graduated Radiation/Nuclear Detector Evaluation and 

Reporting (GRaDER) Program in response to the information needs of the Federal, state, 

local and tribal agencies that are preparing to defend their constituents and areas of 

responsibility against the threat of terrorist activities that may involve the use of 

radiological/nuclear (rad/nuc) devices and materials. This program also satisfies 

requirements stipulated in Sec. 1902 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 

107-296, added by Sec. 501 of the SAFE Port Act, and amended by Pub. L. No. 110-53 

(codified at 6 U.S.C. §592). 

The GRaDER program depends on independent testing of detection and identification 

instruments by accredited laboratories against existing American National Standards 

Institute (ANSI)/ Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) N42 consensus 

standards as the initial benchmark. The program incorporates other industry standards in 

order to assure the instruments meet a variety of safety and technical standards. In future 
74

years, the GRaDER program will incorporate the use of federal technical capability 

standards that are currently under development. 

The program descriptive documents may be read at the following web site: 

http://www.dhs.gov/grader 

U.S. Coast Guard 

The U.S. Coast Guard is committed to developing and adopting nationally and 

internationally recognized standards as a means to improve maritime safety and marine 

environmental protection, and to promote an internationally competitive U.S. maritime 

industry. One of the goals of our Standards program is to develop a comprehensive set of 

nationally recognized, internationally compatible standards through active participation 

in national standards organizations. While the adoption of industry standards enables the 

Coast Guard to fulfill its regulatory functions more efficiently, this capability would be 

useless without the existence of meaningful standards. Recognizing this reality early on, 

the Coast Guard aggressively pursued membership on a full range of standardsorganizations. Today we support at least 30 non-government organizations and actively 

participate on over 100 standards-committees. This active participation enables us to raise 

genuine issues of public safety and preservation of the marine environment. Additionally, 

where industry has not established suitable safety requirements, we catalyze their 

development. 

Becoming an integral part in this process has enabled the Coast Guard to avoid drafting 

unnecessarily detailed regulations and in some cases avoiding regulation completely. It 

has also helped us to evolve from a regulatory process which reacts to disaster to a more 

orderly process which recognizes technical innovation and progressive ideas aimed at 

preventing disaster. 

To date we have adopted over 500 industry standards, saving over 25,000 pages of 

federal regulations and the associated regulation maintenance, while specifying standards 

already familiar to the industry regulated. We estimate that our participation on standards 

committees saves us over $1.5M annually and increases our inspection and technical 

force 100 times. Visit our Director of Commercial Regulations & Standards website at 

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg52/, and our Regulatory Standards Development website 

at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg523/ 

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 

TSA’s Office of Security Technology (OST) uses existing non-government 

standards to define requirements for and guide the engineering of security 

systems utilized by TSA; ensuring deployed systems are safe and meet the 

requirements of end-users and stakeholders. Moreover, OST’s Engineering and 

Systems Planning Division uses standards to streamline procedures for the 

ongoing development of detection technologies and facilitate the development of 

test methods. 
75

National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) 

The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) is a partnership 

between the Department of Homeland Security’s National Cyber Security Division and 

the public and private sectors. Established in 2003 to protect the nation's Internet 

infrastructure, US-CERT coordinates defense against and responses to cyber attacks 

across the nation. US-CERT is responsible for protecting the national Internet 

infrastructure by coordinating defense against and response to cyber attacks. US-CERT is 

responsible for: 

• Analyzing and reducing cyber threats and vulnerabilities; 

• Disseminating cyber threat warning information; 

• Coordinating incident response activities; 

US-CERT interacts with federal agencies, industry, the research community, state and 

local governments, and others to disseminate reasoned and actionable cyber security 

information to the public. 

US-CERT leverages many standards established by the National Institute of Standards 

and Technology (NIST). The US-CERT utilizes an array of security standards to 

maintain an active posture. The following are examples of standards utilized by the USCERT: 

• NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-53: Recommended Security Controls for Federal 

Information Systems - adjust security controls to tailor an agency’s mission requirements 

and operational environments; 

• Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 199 addresses development of 

standards for categorizing information and information systems. Security categorization 

standards for information and information systems provide a common framework and 

understanding for expressing security that, for the federal government, promotes: (i) 

effective management and oversight of information security programs, including the 

coordination of information security efforts throughout the civilian, national security, 

emergency preparedness, homeland security, and law enforcement communities; and (ii) 

consistent reporting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Congress on 

the adequacy and effectiveness of information security policies, procedures, and 

practices. 

• Under NIST SP 800-61, in support of Federal Information Security Management Act 

(FISMA), Federal agencies are required to report all computer security incidents to USCERT based on the incident categories and reporting timeframes. These incident 

categories and descriptions were developed and agreed upon by an interagency body 

during the development of the US-CERT Federal CONOPS. The Office of Management 

and Budget (OMB) released a memorandum in May 2007 directing all Federal agencies 

to adhere to the incident categories and their specified timeframes when reporting 

incidents to US-CERT. 
76

• The US-CERT also implements the FIPS Publication 200, a mandatory security 

standards that specifies minimum security requirements for information and information 

systems supporting the executive agencies of the federal government and a risk-based 

process for selecting the security controls necessary to satisfy the minimum security 

requirements. This standard will promote the development, implementation, and 

operation of more secure information systems within the federal government by 

establishing minimum levels of due diligence. 

• As a part of the Risk Management Framework and the System Development Life Cycle, 

NIST SP 800-37, is used to provide a standard security authorization process that acts as 

a baseline for sufficiently monitoring systems, vulnerabilities, and applying mitigation 

techniques. 

Resources and additional information can be found at http://www.us-cert.gov/ and 

http://csrc.nist.gov/. 

The mission of the National Communication System (NCS) is to assist the President, the 

National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, the Director of the Office of 

Science and Technology Policy and the Director of the Office of Management and 

Budget in: (1) the exercise of the telecommunications functions and responsibilities set 

forth in Section 2 of this Order; and (2) the coordination of the planning for and provision 

of national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) communications for the 

Federal government under all circumstances, including crisis or emergency, attack, 

recovery and reconstitution. 

To fulfill this mission the NCS offers a wide range of NS/EP Priority communications 

services that support qualifying Federal, State, and local government, industry, and nonprofit organization personnel in performing their NS/EP missions: 

Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS) - provides emergency 

access and priority processing in the local and long distance segments of the public 

switched wireline network. Used in an emergency or crisis situation during which the 

probability of completing a call over normal or other alternate telecommunication means 

has significantly decreased. (GETS Brochure) 

Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP) - provides service vendors with a Federal 

Communications Commission (FCC) mandate for prioritizing service requests by 

identifying those services critical to NS/EP. A telecommunications service with a TSP 

assignment is assured of receiving full attention by the service vendor before a non-TSP 

service. (TSP Brochure) 

Wireless Priority Service (WPS) - provides priority cellular network access. The WPS 

was approved by the FCC for NS/EP requirements on a call-by-call priority basis. The 

NCS executes the program on behalf of the Executive Office of the President. Only 

individuals in NS/EP key leadership positions are authorized use of WPS (WPS 

Brochure). 
77

These services are provided on the pubic communications networks; therefore the 

reliance on voluntary industry consensus standards plays a vital role in the ability of the 

NCS to fulfill its mission. 

Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) 

Command, Communication, and Interoperability: 

The Command, Control and Interoperability Division’s Office for Interoperability and 

Compatibility (OIC) focuses on the research, development, testing, and evaluation 

necessary to improve emergency communications capabilities for day-to-day operations 

and major incidents. OIC improves these public safety communications by supporting the 

development of public safety standards, specifications, and usage guidance by working 

closely with Public Safety specific standards development organizations. OIC’s standards 

efforts are focused in the following areas: 

• Project 25 (P25) and Project 34 (P34): OIC actively participates within the Public 

Safety specific standards development organizations to assist in the development of the 

Project 25 (P25) and Project 34 (P34) suite of standards, which are focused on 

developing open interoperability standards for public safety land mobile radio (LMR) 

systems. Through direction from the US Congress, OIC has been instrumental in 

speeding the standards development process for the four critical interoperability 

interfaces in the P25 suite of standards. Serving as an objective technical expert, OIC 

advocates on behalf of practitioners during the technical development of the standards. 

The Office is also implementing a Compliance Assessment Program for P25 (P25 CAP), 

a voluntary system that provides a mechanism for the recognition of testing laboratories 

based on internationally accepted standards. The P25 CAP leverages the standards 

developed in the Project 25 standards development process, and governs itself through 

the use of International Standards Organization (ISO) standards. The P34 effort is led by 

CCI and leverages existing commercial standards developed by the Institute of Electrical 

and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). 

• Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP): Public safety agencies are investing millions of 

dollars in devices that allow agencies to patch non-interoperable radio systems together. 

These are commonly referred to as bridging systems, and many of these systems use 

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. While IP itself is a formal standard that 

allows for interoperability, the VoIP technology built on top of that standard is often 

proprietary and prevents interoperability. Therefore, OIC has led a coalition of public 

safety officials and VoIP vendors in an effort to bypass lengthy and traditional standards 

processes, developing a profile that ensures that disparate bridging systems for radio 

systems can interoperate using today’s VoIP technologies. In this effort, CCI is 

leveraging Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standards for VoIP to create 

implementation profiles for VoIP-based systems. 

• Audio and Video Quality Measurements: The Department has also been involved in the 

development of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standards regarding test 
78

methodologies used for public safety specific evaluation of audio and video quality 

measurements. Specifically, a new standard was developed by CCI for video quality 

assessment for recognition tasks through the ITU-T Study Group 9 as Recommendation 

ITU-T P.912. 

• The Emergency Data Exchange Language (EDXL) Standards initiative is a practitionerdriven, public-private partnership to create information sharing capabilities, known as 

EDXL messaging standards, between disparate incident management software 

applications and systems. The resulting Extensible Markup Language (XML) standards 

assist the emergency response community in sharing data seamlessly and securely while 

responding to an incident. The EDXL family of messaging standards allows private 

industry to adopt these standards into their solutions, systems, and hardware so that 

critical incident information can be shared with other incident management systems. 

• The goal of the EDXL Standards initiative is to facilitate seamless information sharing 

and data exchange across local, tribal, state, Federal, and non-governmental organizations 

of different disciplines that provide emergency response and management services. 

• EDXL accomplishes this goal by focusing on the standardization of specific XML 

messages that are exchanged between two or more systems to facilitate emergency 

communication and coordination. Ultimately, the implementation of EDXL data 

messaging standards will result in a system or application that enables responders to 

respond to and manage incidents more effectively, helping to save lives. 

• EDXL is a suite of emergency data messaging standards which include but are not 

limited to the following functions: alerting, resource queries and requests, situation status, 

hospital and resource availability, and message routing. EDXL focuses on crossdisciplinary, cross-jurisdictional information exchange related to emergency response. 

Office of Standards: 

Since its inception in 2003, The Department of Homeland Security Office of Standards 

assists in the implementation of the department’s standards policy by providing 

resources, technical information and guidance to DHS components responsible for 

executing key standards-related programs and initiatives originating from legislation and 

key presidential directives. The Office also supports the integration of standards in the 

DHS Research, Development, Test & Evaluation process. The Office manages an annual 

budget of over $20 millions to meet the identified needs for homeland security standards. 

Key among its mission is developing national standards for homeland security mission 

needs by coordinating and building working relationships with numerous SDOs, 

scientific and technical experts, as well as equipment manufacturers, developers, and 

users. It maintains a strategic partnership with key SDOs and program partners such as 

the ICSP and the ANSI-Homeland Security Standards Panel (HSSP). The Department 

uses the HSSP to promote public-private partnership to meet the needs of homeland 

security. The Office of Standards promotes the use of ANSI accredited, nongovernmental SDOs to develop national standards for homeland security. The office 

invests in a wide spectrum of standards development projects to encourage and 
79

incentivize SDOs develop Standards for Homeland Security mission needs. The Office of 

Standards provides the department the tools and mechanisms necessary for coordinating 

enterprise-wide, public-private partnership initiatives with governmental and nongovernmental standards bodies such as NIST, ASTM, NFPA and ANSI. 

In FY 2007/ 2008 a few major accomplishments include: 

• Establishment of an intra-agency accreditation and certification program - Following 

the 9/11 Commission Act (Title IX Sec. 524) the Office of Standards in collaboration 

with FEMA, the DHS Private Sector Office, the DHS Office of Infrastructure Protection, 

and the DHS Office of General Counsel established a working group to develop and 

implement an accreditation and certification program for private sector emergency 

preparedness and business continuity. This working group will evaluate and recommend 

appropriate VCS that will be adopted by the Department and used in the program. 

• Development of department policy on the use of non-governmental standards - The 

standards office refined and implemented a policy on the use of non-governmental

standards and provided department guidance on DHS employees’ participation in the 

development of VCS. 

Adoption of twenty-one new standards for homeland security mission needs – the Office 

of Standards in response to requests from DHS operating components and in concert with 

the department’s Standards Executive adopted the American National Standard for HighVisibility Safety Apparel; the Headwear American National Standard for Industrial Head 

Protection; the Common Alerting Protocol v1.1; the Emergency Data Exchange 

Language (EDXL) Distribution Element, v 1.0; and sixteen additional NFPA Standards 

for homeland security mission needs. 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 0

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 164

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: 
80

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 61

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

3 rd Generation Partnership Project Project 2 3GPP2

3rd Generation Partnership Project 3GPP

Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions ATIS

American Association for Budget and Program Analysis AABPA

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials AASHTO

American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists AATCC

American Boat and Yacht Council ABYC

American Bureau of Shipping ABS

American Chemical Society ACS

American National Standards Institute ANSI

American Petroleum Institute API

American Railway Engineering & Maintenance-of-Way Association AREMA

American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning 

Engineers ASHRAE

American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME

American Society of Naval Engineers ASNE

American Towing Tank Conference ATTC

American Welding Society AWS

Association of Diving Contractors International ADCI

Association of Official Analytical Chemists International AOAC

ASTM International ASTM

Chlorine Institute CI

Committee on Marine Measurements COPM

Compressed Gas Association CGA

Council on Ionizing Radiation Measurements and Standards CIRMS

Electronic Industries Alliance EIA

Emergency Interoperability Consortium EIC

Health Physics Society HPS

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers IEEE

Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society ISA

International Association of Drilling Contractors IADC

International Association of Lighthouse Authorities IALA

International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA

International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO

InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards INCITS
81

International Organization for Standardization ISO

International Organization for Standardization/International 

Electrotechnical Commission ISO/IEC

International Radio Consultative Committee IRCC

International Ship and Offshore Structures Congress ISOSC

International Telecommunication Union ITU

International Towing Tank Conference ITTC

Internet Engineering Task Force IETF

Joint Aeronautical Commander's Group JACG

Marine Technology Society MTS

MultiService Forum MSF

National Cargo Bureau, Inc NCB

National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements NCRP

National Defense Industrial Association NDIA

National Fire Protection Association NFPA

National Marine Electronics Association NMEA

National Marine Manufacturers Association NMMA

NSF International NSFI

Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards OASIS

Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics RTCA

Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services RTCM

Society of Automotive Engineers SAE

Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers SNAME

Telecommunications Industry Association TIA

Telemanagement Forum TMF

Underwriters Laboratories UL

WiMax Forum WiMAX

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 187

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

Participation in NVLAP Conformity Assessment Working group pursuant to Title 15 of 

the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Sec 287.4

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

The Circular might want to address the use of standards in federal assistance programs 

such as grants. Also, the Circular may want to address the use of standards in 'significant' 
82

federal guidance by providing information and direction on E.O. 12866 as amended by 

EO 13258 and 13422. 

The Circular may need to be updated to reflect the processes and procedures that are 

utilized by the information technology (IT) sector which result in what is called 'open' 

standards. The Circular should provide policy guidance on such standards as it relates to 

IT procurements. 

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

none 

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; Yes

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; C

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; Yes

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 1
83

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

 

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

Generally, standards play a supporting role in the achievement of the HUD mission. In 

most cases, we are able to use standards developed in conjunction with other related 

users, such as model building codes that are adopted for use by communities nationwide. 

Because there are virtually no differences between HUD-assisted and market-based 

development, standards such are building codes that are developed for the entire 

construction industry are relevant. In some cases, HUD is responsible for the standards. 

This is the case with the Government Standard: 24 CFR 3280 – Manufactured Home 

Construction and Safety Standards, where HUD publishes and enforces the construction 

standard for manufactured housing. 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 3

1. Government Unique Standard: 24 CFR 200.935 - Administrator qualifications 

and procedures for HUD building products and certififcation programs 

(Incorporated: 2000) 

Voluntary Standard 

ANSI A119.1 N - Recreation Vehicles 

Rationale 

HUD Building-Product Standards & Certification Programs. HUD was required 

by legislation to “establish Federal construction and safety standards for 

manufactured homes and to authorize manufactured home safety research and 

development”. Recently, HUD retained a private consensus body (NFPA) to 

update and modernize the Manufactured Home Standards. At the conclusion of 

the development process, NFPA will submit the revised standard to HUD for 

regulatory adoption. 

2. Government Unique Standard: 24 CFR 3280 - Manufactured Home 

Construction and Safety Standards (Incorporated: 2000) 

Voluntary Standard 

ANSI A119.1 - Recreation Vehicles and NFPA 501C - Standard on Recreational 

Vehicles 

Rationale 

HUD-Unique Manufactured Home Construction & Safety Standards. HUD was 

required by legislation to “establish Federal construction and safety standards for 

manufactured homes and to authorize manufactured home safety research and 

development”. Recently, HUD retained a private consensus body (NFPA) to 

update and modernize the Manufactured Home Standards. At the conclusion of 
84

the development process, NFPA will submit the revised standard to HUD for 

regulatory adoption. 

3. Government Unique Standard: 24 CFR 3285 - Manufactured Housing 

Installation Standard (Incorporated: 2008) 

Voluntary Standard 

Individual state standards 

Rationale 

Nationwide uniformity of a common standard, implemented and enforced at the 

local level 

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 0

Other Technical Standards: 1

Rationale: HUD adopted no Voluntary Consensus Standards during FY2008. During that 

period, HUD developed the Installation Standards for Manufactured Housing which was 

drafted through an industry consensus process.

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 5

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

American Lumber Standards Committee ALSC

ASTM International ASTM

Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC

International Code Council ICC

National Fire Protection Association NFPA

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 4

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

n/a
85

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and

recommendations for any changes:

Because many of the activities supported by HUD are similar to the activities in the 

commercial market, and rely on the commercial market for execution, it is reasonable to 

rely on a common set of standards. The use of model building codes (adopted at a 

community level) are particularly notable in this regard.

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

n/a

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

24 CFR 3280 was revised in FY2006

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; Yes

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; C

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; No

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 0
86

Department of the Interior (DOI)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

The Minerals Management Service’s mission at DOI is to manage the minerals 

resources on the Outer Continental Shelf and Federal and Indian minerals 

revenues to enhance public and trust benefits, promote responsible use, and 

realize fair value. In support of this mission, we have adopted the use of 

voluntary consensus standards to promote improved collaboration and 

cooperation with the private sector and the oil and gas industries we regulate 

on the Outer Continental Shelf as well as applying innovative and improved 

technology, such as Alternative Energy, as mandated by the Energy Policy Act 

of 2005. With the signing of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and OMB Circular A? 

16, the Minerals Management Service of the Department of Interior has been 

mandated to develop a digital web map viewer to enable federal, state, and 

local government and others to have web?based mapping tools to make more 

informed decisions to better manage the marine environment. Beginning in 

the fall of 2006, plans were laid to develop an internet mapping system that is 

capable of showing many different marine?related data layers in a seamless 

view, based on OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium) specifications. MMS is 

currently working with the NOAA Coastal Service Center to developed a system 

that will enable WMS client sites at participating agencies, both government 

and private to feed into a central data viewer built specifically for this project. 

The same web services will also be available in the Geospatial One?Stop, under 

the ‘Oceans’ community. Phase 1 of the project has been completed and the 

system is currently being installed and setup on the MMS IT infrastructure. 

Background information on the system and an beta version of the system can 

be found at http://www.mms.gov/offshore/RenewableEnergy/WebMappingViewer.htm 

Bureau of Indian Affairs: Use of VCS has resulted in obtaining and retaining more 

options and greater flexibility in how we choose technologies and technological support 

for Indian Affairs. This has been most useful in providing technological support to 

previously unsupported business processes. 

Bureau of Reclamation: Industry standards are incorporated into Reclamation Design and 

Construction Specifications when applicable, and into Reclamation Safety of Dams and 

Security Construction Contracts. General Contractors are familiar with industry standards 

resulting in more economic bid packages and more uniform quality control. 

Standards are used in the management of design and construction contracts. Most design 

and construction specifications reference one or more sets of standards, and Design and 

Construction Services personnel must be familiar with the standards in order to ensure 

contract compliance. Contractors are more familiar with voluntary consensus standards 
87

and their use allows improved collaboration and cooperation with the private sector as 

well as the successful completion of design and construction contracts resulting in 

properly functioning facilities. 

The regulatory and consensus industry standards are also critical to establishing a 

scientific basis and validity for the engineering controls, administrative controls, 

exposure assessments, medical surveillance and personal protective equipment necessary 

to protect personnel, contractors and the public from safety and health hazards in 

Reclamation. 

The use of standards is the base requirement for the accurate communication of technical 

concepts. The use of standards is vital to ensure the results of facility inspections; the 

descriptions of potential concerns; both the development and results of investigation; the 

entire evaluation and design process; the creation of understandable contract 

specification; and the assurance of contract quality and control. Without the use of a well 

thought out standards system all technical language would be open to interpretation and 

may potentially compromise a facility’s continued safe and productive function. 

The geotechnical, water resources, environmental, infrastructure, and other scientific 

communities in Reclamation have a vast array of nomenclature; sampling and testing 

methodology, sampling and testing procedures; and reporting and documentation 

alternatives from which to choose. Reclamation has selected specific sources, in some 

cases developed its own unique standard sources, to ensure a thorough understanding of 

Reclamation data. This has allowed Reclamation personnel to communicate and work 

effectively with other Reclamation staff and representatives from other governmental 

agencies and the public with maximum efficiency and minimal misunderstanding. 

For example, Facilities Instructions, Standards, and Techniques (FIST) Volumes are used 

throughout Reclamation in the conduct of power and water operations and maintenance 

(O&M). These volumes (83 in all) define Reclamation’s standards and expectations for 

O&M and are used by engineers, managers, and craftspeople. Each FIST volume is a 

highly specialized, single-source reference containing sufficient information in the form 

of procedures, guidelines, and standards to be a stand-alone document for planning and 

performing a specific activity or set of closely related activities. The FIST volume 

program is ongoing. Technology changes rapidly; and thus FIST volumes are revised or 

created to provide guidelines and instructions for new equipment and to take advantage 

of modern maintenance equipment and practices. The primary benefit of the FIST 

volumes are the continued reliability and efficiency of our operation and maintenance 

program and associated cost savings. There are other areas just as specialized that 

Reclamation relies on standards to most effectively and efficiently maintain our 

infrastructure. 

The Hydropower Technical Services Group within Reclamation is responsible for 

developmental research, computer model analysis, operational testing, and specification 

review for stability enhancement of Reclamation’s power system. As IEEE develops 

standards used by utilities throughout the world, coordination and development of 
88

electrical engineering standards is of value to Reclamation activities (i.e., need for 

compatibility between computer standards, electric power standards, and automation 

standards; standards which assist in obtaining satisfactory equipment and will save 

millions of dollars). Reclamation’s ability to have representation on standards committees 

has allowed us to develop and improve test procedures used in Reclamation’s governor 

adjustment and excitation alignment programs; to establish excitation system, power 

system stabilizer, and governor parameter settings at Reclamation powerplants, thus 

contributing to power system stability of the Western electric power grid (avoiding 

billion-dollar regional blackouts), as well as enhancing the safety of our hydroelectric 

facilities; and improving O&M testing, and diagnostics. Participation in these areas also 

allows us to properly interface with and meet our mandatory Western Electricity 

Coordinating Council requirements and ensures hydro-generated power needs are 

properly addressed in a predominately steam-generation electrical system. 

The Chief Information Office (CIO) is responsible for program coordination, execution, 

and oversight of Reclamation's information technology (IT) functions. The CIO shares 

with the Commissioner basic responsibility for the planning, formulation, and execution 

of all Reclamation-wide IT functions, including IT security. The CIO is responsible for 

implementation of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 by providing advice and assistance to 

the Commissioner and other senior management to ensure that IT is acquired and 

managed for the Bureau in a manner that implements policies and procedures of the 

Information Technology Management Reform Act (ITMRA). Likewise, the CIO is 

responsible for compliance with the IT security requirements of the Federal Information 

Security Management Act (FISMA) of 2002. Because of these requirements the CIO has 

embraced and implemented many standards pertinent to IT development and 

sustainability. The CIO develops, maintains, and facilitates the implementation of a 

sound and integrated IT architecture for Reclamation, and promotes the effective and 

efficient design and operation of all IT systems and management processes, including 

improvements to work processes and IT security. 

Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS): The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has 

established a formal process for developing, reviewing, and adopting data standards to 

increase the quality and compatibility of FWS data, improve data sharing, and reduce 

redundant data development efforts. The formal process for establishing FWS data 

standards is outlined at http://www.fws.gov/stand/standards/process_WWW.html. This 

site is also linked from the FWS Information Quality web site at 

http://www.fws.gov/informationquality/. To date, a total of 59 data standards have been 

formally adopted for Service-wide use and implementation. A Service data steward is 

designated by the office responsible for maintaining both the content of the data standard 

and any applicable source data that is linked from the standard’s web page. The current 

list of adopted FWS data standards at http://www.fws.gov/stand/ includes the Dublin 

Core Metadata Element Set (DCMES), Version 1.1, is being used to describe the FWS 

collection of digital photos, videos, and other media that are currently stored in the FWS 

National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) Digital Repository, which is linked from 

http://training.fws.gov/communicate/imagelib.htm. The DCMES Version 1.1 has been 

formally endorsed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the 
89

National Information Standards Organization (NISO): 

• ISO 15836-2003(E): http://www.niso.org/international/SC4/n515.pdf 

• NISO Z39.85-2001: http://www.niso.org/standards/resources/Z39-85.pdf 

FWS personnel also recognize the importance of using voluntary consensus standards 

(VCS) in the successful implementation of the Service mission. As reported in the past, 

the FWS uses VCS whenever appropriate to ensure compliance with Federal codes and 

regulations, improved public health and safety, protection and safe transport of wild 

animals and plants, improved collaboration with the private sector, and the 

use/dissemination of consistent information with the Bureau and across the Department. 

FWS personnel in the Washington and Regional Offices who work in the areas of 

engineering, safety, law enforcement, and facilities management/maintenance routinely 

use a wide variety of private and public standards and codes on facility design and 

construction, facilities maintenance, dam and bridge safety, seismic safety, and 

environmental compliance services in support of the Service mission. 

The FWS uses the ANSI Z87.1 product standard for personal protective equipment and 

the Hazardous Materials Information System (HMIS) industry standard for proper 

labeling of hazardous chemical being used in the laboratory. Use of these standards 

ensures the safety of employees who provide analytical support on wildlife refuge 

investigations in support of the FWS mission and less lost time due to fewer injuries in 

the laboratory, which leads to cost/time savings. 

The FWS uses international guidelines and commercial standards developed by the 

International Air Transport Association (IATA) to ensure the safe transport and 

preparation for shipment of live wild animals and plants. 

FWS national wetlands standards continue to be widely used within and outside of the 

government for wetlands classification, mapping and data reporting purposes (i.e., nonregulatory purposes). The Service’s National Standards and Quality Components for 

Wetlands, Deepwater and Related Habitat Mapping, 2004, references ANSI/ASQC E4-

1994, American National Standard Specifications and Guidelines for Quality Systems for 

Environmental Data Collection and Environmental Technology Programs. 

Office of Surface Mining (OSM): The use of geospatial data standards with respect to 

coal mining and reclamation 

1. Accurately describes coal mining geospatial data 

2. Promote understanding and use of coal mining regulatory data 

3. Ensure compatibility of data among state and federal SMCRA programs 

4. Form consistent national datasets relative to SMCRA coal mining activities 

5. Improve accuracy of derived information products 

Benefits to regulatory Programs: 
90

• Mine permit boundary layers help improve resource allocation for inspection 

• Statewide hydrologic data sets allow verification of data from coal mines to provide 

better decision-making coal mining permits, i.e., CHIA’s (state or federal RA) 

Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Assessments of potential impacts upon watersheds from 

proposed mining operations). 

• Hydrologic data from one state can be used in adjacent state where coalfields cross 

borders (e.g., KY-WV, WV-PA, WV-VA) 

• State / industry-wide standards for coal mining features on permit maps facilitate entry 

into an enterprise data set and data sharing by the coal mining community 

Benefits to AML (Abandoned Mined Lands) Programs 

• Underground mine boundary geospatial standard dataset would improve prediction of 

future AML impacts to public where urban/suburban growth is encroaching on 

undermined areas 

• Public awareness of AML feature locations (mine shafts, subsidence prone areas, buried 

refuse) can reduce future public exposure to existing mine hazards, thereby reducing 

growth of the AML inventory 

• Improved problem area selection 

• Better understanding of population growth related to AML sites 

• Statewide water data facilitates better monitoring of AMD discharge over time 

• Completed projects inventory facilitates post construction monitoring 

• Statewide AML project database allows improved manpower management 

• The AML Planning Unit geospatial (Standard) dataset has been completed and 

submitted for consideration by ASTM International currently 

• The AML Problem Area geospatial (Standard) dataset has been completed and 

submitted for consideration by ASTM International currently 

Benefits to the Coal Mining Industry 

• Improve miner and public safety 

• The underground mine extents geospatial standard may help reduce accidents and

fatalities due to identification of the proximity of adjacent historical mines, which will aid 

in preventing dangerous breakthrough and release of methane gas and/or water into 

SMCRA mines 

• Reduce burden of regulatory compliance. 

• Improve efficiency of SMCRA program operations by sharing hydrologic and geologic 

data sets reduce costs of pre-mine environmental sampling for coal mine permits 

• More geologic drill hole data will increase certainty of reserve base estimates 

• National standards for coal mining spatial data will reduce costs of map generation, 

reduce confusion, facilitate electronic permitting, and reduce regulatory permit review 

time 

National Park Service (NPS): NPS Reply: DOI’s National Park Service (“the Service”) 

mission statement: 
91

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and 

values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this 

and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits 

of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this 

country and the world. 

The Service’s participation in standards bodies and its use of regulatory and consensus 

industry standards are critical to many aspects of the Service’s primary services and lines 

of business in support of the Service’s mission. For example, advances in information 

technology have created extraordinary opportunities for the Service to use the Web to 

inform and educate the public about the NPS mission and organization, the uniqueness of 

park resources, and the relevance of a national system of parks and partnership programs. 

The design and content of our web presence has the potential to deliver and communicate 

essential information about the identity of the National Park Service. 

The national park experience (which includes the “national park idea” as well as the 

cultural and natural resources of parks) provides us with a potent frame of reference for 

who we are as a people and as a country. NPS information provided via the Web is 

available globally to anyone who has access to the Web and who wants to learn about 

these American places; the many associated people, objects, and events; and the national 

values they represent. (See www.nps.gov) 

In addition, the Service’s organizational components include the Resources Information 

Management Division (RIMD) within its National Information Services Center in 

Denver, Colorado. (See http://www.nps.gov/gis/). The RIMD’s functions/services include 

the following: 

-Coordinates the NPS GIS Council and provides leadership on GIS and spatial data issues 

-Assists with implementation of GIS in national parks and NPS programs 

-Represents the Service on the DOI Enterprise Geographic Information Management 

Team (http://www.nps.gov/gis/egim/) and the Federal Geographic Data Committee 

Coordination Group (http://www.fgdc.gov) 

US Geological Survey (USGS): The mission of the USGS is to serve the Nation by 

“providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize 

loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and 

mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.” The nature of USGS 

scientific research and monitoring makes the use of voluntary consensus standards a 

required tool. Our science programs collaborate with partners and cooperators in the 

public and private sectors locally, nationally, and internationally. Thus, agreement on the 

use of standards is essential to our mission.

The USGS National Geospatial Program Office (NGPO) hosts Geodata.gov, a web portal 

that enables users to discover geospatial data and services, evaluate its fitness for use, 

access data through metadata records, and execute simple tasks through web services. 

Geodata.gov thus helps the USGS meet its mission of “providing reliable scientific 

information to describe and understand the Earth.” 
92

In addition, Geodata.gov fosters partnerships between organizations creating or providing 

data, and organizations searching for data by publishing requests for data and notices of 

data acquisitions. Outcomes include minimizing duplication of data collection, and by 

extension, cost savings. 

Users search metadata records to discover geospatial data and services. Once metadata 

records are accessed, the user can evaluate fitness of use of the referenced data set and 

often access the referenced data itself. 

Metadata records are prepared using the Digital Content Standard for Geospatial 

Metadata, FGDC-STD-001-1998, http://www.fgdc.gov/standards/projects/FGDCstandards-projects/metadata/base-metadata/index_html, developed by the Federal 

Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). This standard was developed when there were no 

equivalent voluntary consensus content standards for geospatial metadata. Since then, 

ISO published ISO 19115:2003, Geographic information – Metadata, for which the 

FGDC Metadata standard was submitted as input. A North American Profile of ISO 

19115 is close to adoption by both Canada and the United States. USGS is preparing 

Geodata.gov for the transfer from the FGDC CSDGM to this VCS. 

The USGS also regularly utilizes the Biological Data Profile, an FGDC approved profile. 

The profile was developed by the National Biological Information Infrastructure and 

approved in 1998. It adds value to the FGDC Metadata Standard by offering additional 

elements to the base standard specific to biological sciences. These elements include 

taxonomic information, methodology, and analytical tools. Metadata records including 

this profile number in the thousands, and can be found most prominently on the NBII 

Metadata Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse contains over 38,000 records contributed by 

40 partners throughout the United States and internationally. 

The NBII is developing a metadata profile for the ISO 19115 standard, and is working 

with the FGDC to achieve this goal. The profile will incorporate biological elements and 

will be associated with the North American Profile. 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 6

1. Government Unique Standard: 1. FWS Geospatial Metadata Standard (adopts 

the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM), Version 2.0 

FGDC-STD-001-1998. 2. Nomenclature of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife 

and Plants (FWS Dta Set Standard, Working Draft); proposed standard to adopt 

the Service's official list of scientific names, common names, and taxonomic 

group names for all species of wildlife and plants t (Incorporated: 2005) 

Voluntary Standard 

1. International Organization for Standardization (ISO, ISO 19115:2003, 

Published Standard on Geographic Information - Metadata 

2. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)of Wild 

Fauna nd Flora, Checklist of CITES Species; provides the official alphabetical list 

of CITES species, their scientific synonyms, their common names in English, 

French, and Spanish, etc. 
93

3. 

Rationale 

1. The Federal Geographic Committee (FGDC) developed the Content Standard 

for Digital Geospatial Metada (CSDGM) in response to Executive Order 12906, 

which require3d all Federal agencies to document spatial data in a consistent 

manner to facilitate sharing data and to reduce duplication of effort. The FWS 

officially adopted the FGDC CSDGM, Version 2.0, in August 1998. ISO 19115, 

an abstract standard, specified general content for the metadata, but does not 

specify format for the metadata. The FGDC is working to harmonize the ISO 

19115 metadata standard with the CSDGM Version 2.0. 

2. Different Service programs maintain species lists in compliance with several 

conservation laws and treaties, including the Endangered Species Act, Migratory 

Bird Treaty Act, Lacey Act, and Convention on International Trade in 

Endangered Species (CITES). In other words, there is no single species list that 

meets the needs of all Service programs. The list of scientific and common names 

for this data set is published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 50--

Wildlife and Fisheries, Part 17--Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. 

These values, along with the associated species and population codes, are 

contained in the Service's official Threatened and Endangered Species System 

(TESS) database. 

3. Service personnel must comply with the adopted FWS data standard unless it 

conflicts with their primary responsibilities. for example, the FWS International 

Affairs Program is responsible for implementing CITE, a treaty with 153 member 

countries. In this capacity, the FWS is bound by resolution to use the ISO country 

codes in its permit numbers rather than the FIPS codes to ensure consistency in 

reporting. 

2. Government Unique Standard: Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater 

Habitats of the United States (FGDC-STD-004) (Incorporated: 2006) 

Voluntary Standard 

None to record. 

Rationale 

Use of FGDC standards are required under OMB Circular and Executive Order 

12906. 

3. Government Unique Standard: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial 

Metadata Part 1: Biological Data Profile (FGDC-STD-001.1-1999 (Incorporated: 

2006) 

Voluntary Standard 

None to record. 

Rationale 

Use of FGDC standards are required under OMB Circular and Executive Order 

12906. 

4. Government Unique Standard: Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standard, Part 

2, Geodetic Control Netowrks (FGDC-STD-007.2-1998) (Incorporated: 2006) 
94

Voluntary Standard 

None to record. 

Rationale 

Use of FGDC standards are required under OMB Circular and Executive Order 

12906. 

5. Government Unique Standard: USGS Water Resources Discipline (WRD) has 

established its own standards for field measurement of streamflow, ground-water, 

and water-quality constituents, and computation of related records in the form of 

published USGS procedural manuals and reports. (Incorporated: 2007) 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM and ISO 

Rationale 

These documents are also often used to guide the efforts of other agencies and 

organizations, are frequently referenced in the disciplin literature, and comprise 

the basis for standards published by the ASTM and ISO. many of the laboratory 

analytical methods USGS creates and publishes are also provided to others 

through the National Environmental Methods Index (NEMI). 

6. Government Unique Standard: Vegetation Classification Standard (FGDCSTD-005) (Incorporated: 2006) 

Voluntary Standard 

None to record. 

Rationale 

Use of FGDC standards are required under OMB Circular and Executive Order 

12906. 

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 1

Voluntary Standard Government Standard

ASME Power Test Code for Hydraulic 

Trubines and Pump Turbines, PTC-18

Design Standard 12: Chapter 1, Filed 

Turbine and Pump Tests

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 1

Other Technical Standards: 3

Rationale: 1. In 2008, Bureau of Reclamation began migrating from Reclamation’s 

Drafting Standards to the National CAD Standards. This change not only affects drafting 

standards, but also the gathering of survey data, which will require placement in the 

appropriate data layers in accordance with the National CAD Standards. This will 

facilitate the use of data and drawings between government agencies and the public. 2. 

Reclamation is now following the general framework of the International Organization 

for Standardization (ISO) 14001 series in its implementation of Environmental 
95

Management Systems (EMS). Reclamation has incorporated the ISO 14001 series into its 

EMS Directive and Standard to require a consistent approach to EMS implementation 

throughout Reclamation. Incorporation of ISO has saved staff time and resources that 

would have been required to develop a new process and template for EMS. Application 

of the ISO 14001 standard provides a common language and understanding of EMS 

concepts, facilitating improved communication on environmental issues both within 

Reclamation and throughout the federal government and private sector, and well as the 

ability to compare and evaluate best practices within a wide-range of organizations 

implementing EMS. 3. Many of the standards used historically may have been updated or 

revised in FY 2008. As noted above, Reclamation had referenced ASME Power Test 

Code for Hydraulic Turbines and Pump Turbines, PTC-18 before, but in FY 2008 this 

standard replaced a GUS completely. More than 300 national standards used by 

Reclamation meet Reclamation’s design, operation, and maintenance requirements. A 

listing may by found at 

http://intra.do.usbr.gov/~tsc/guidance/design/non_rec_standards.html . 4. The CIO 

organization has adopted the Information Technology Library (ITIL) which is used as the 

foundation to Reclamation’s Information Technology (IT) Service Management 

Initiative. ITIL provides a framework of best practices, which are developed and drawn 

from both public and private organizations in the delivery of high-quality information 

technology services. With the implementation of IT Service Management and the 

utilization of ITIL best practices the CIO will achieve both value and quality within IT 

operations. More information related to the IT Service Management Initiative can be 

found at the following URL: http://intra.usbr.gov/itops/rise/ 5. The CIO organization has 

adopted the Center for Internet Security (CIS) Benchmarking Tools for IT system 

security hardening. The goal of the benchmarking tools is to help Reclamation effectively 

manage the organizational risks related to information security by providing them with 

methods and tools to improve, measure, monitor, and compare the security status of their 

own network-connected systems and appliances. More information related to the 

Reclamation Standard Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) can be found 

at the following URL: http://intra.usbr.gov/usbrit/Security/stigs/index.html

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 84

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

Advisory Committee for water Information ACWI

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials AASHTO

American Concrete Institute ACI

American Concrete Pipe Association ACPA

American Hardware Manufacturers Association AHMA

American Institute of Steel Construction AISC

American Institute of Timber Construction AITC

American Iron and Steel Institute AISI

American National Standards Institute ANSI

American Petroleum Institute API
96

American Rock Mechanics Association ARMA

American Society for Industrial Security ASIS

American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing ASPRS

American Society for Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineers AHSRA

American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE

American Society of Dam Safety Officials ASDSO

American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME

American Water Works Association AWWA

American Welding Society AWS

American Wood Preservers institute AWPI

Architectural Woodwork Institute AWI

ASCE Building Security Council BSC

ASTM International ASTM

Brick Industry Association BIA

Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association BHMA

Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute CISPI

Center for Internet Security CIS

Center for Internet Security CSI

Concrete Pipe Association CPA

Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute CRSI

Construction Specifications Institute CSI

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild 

Fauna and Flora CITES

Cultural Resources Standards with State Historic Preservation Offices SHPO

Data Management Association DAMA

Electronic Industries Alliance EIA

Engineered Wood Association EWA

European Petroleum Survey Group EPSG

Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC

Forest Stewardship Council FSC

Ground Water Protection Council GWPC

Gypsum Association GA

INCITS Technical Committee L1, Geographic Information Systems INCITS TC L1

Information Technology Service Management Forum ITSMF

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers IEEE

Insulated Cable Engineers Association ICEA

Interagency Trails Data Standards ITDS

International Air Transport Association IATA
97

international Building Code Council IBCC

InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards INCITS

International Organization for Standardization ISO

International Organization for Standardization/International 

Electrotechnical Commission ISO/IEC

International Security Council ISC

Internet Society IS

Metal Building Manufacturers Association MBMA

Modular Systems Building Council MSBC

National Association of Corrosion Engineers International NACE

National CAS Standards NCS

National Digital Elevation Program NDEP

National Electric Reliability Corporation NERC

National Electrical Manufacturers Association NEMA

National Environmental Methods Index NEMI

National Fire Protection Association NFPA

National Trust Banking Industry NTBI

National Water-Quality Monitoring Council NWQMC

National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group NWCG

North American Weeds Management Association NAWMA

Northwest Environmental Data Network NED

Open Geospatial Consortium OGC

Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards OASIS

Pacific Northwest Reginal Geospatial Information Council PNW-RGIC

Petrotechnical Open Standards Consortium, Inc. POSC

Project Management Institute PMI

Public Petroleum Data Management PPDM

SAVE International SAVE

Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Contractors SMACNA

Telecommunications Industry Association TIA

The National Digital Orthophoto Program NDOP

The Open Geospatial Consortium OGC

United States Committee on Large Dams USCOLD

Urban and Regional Information Systems Association URISA

US Green Building Council - Leadership in Energy and Environmental 

Design

USGBC -

LEEDS

Web Application Security Consortium WASC

Western Electricity Coordinating Council WECC
98

World Wide Web Consortium W3C

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 166

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

The Minerals Management Service of DOI is a member of the Federal Geographic Data 

Committee (FGDC) with representation on the Standards Working Group, the 

Coordinating Committee, the Steering Committee, the Marine Boundary Working Group, 

and ad hoc subcommittees developing standards for geospatial data. 

Bureau of Reclamation: The ISO 14001 standard requires that organizations conduct 

third- party conformance audits to determine conformance with the ISO Standard. 

Reclamation has adopted this requirement in a revised form and will conduct audits to 

determine conformance with both the Standard framework and the executive order. 

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA): BIA participated in the Federal Geospatial One-Stop and 

the Enterprise Geographic Information Management Committee. 

FWS: The FWS continues to implement key security standards and guidelines developed 

or approved by NIST to support the implementation of and compliance with the Federal 

Information Security Management Act (FISMA) including: 

• Standards for categorizing information and information systems by mission impact. 

• Standards for minimum security requirements for information and information systems. 

• Standards for encrypting government data. 

• Standards for applying and enforcing secure configuration baselines. 

• Standards for secure remote access. 

• Guidance for mapping types of information and information systems to appropriate 

security categories. 

• Guidance for planning and conducting technical information security testing. 

• Guidance for assessing security controls in information systems and determining 

security control effectiveness. 

• Guidance for certifying and accrediting information systems. 

The FWS is currently using secure configuration benchmarks developed by the Center for 

Internet Security (CIS), a non-profit organization whose mission is to help organizations 

reduce the risk of business and e-commerce disruptions resulting from inadequate 

technical security controls. These benchmarks have been deemed as "NIST" approved. 

Office of Surface Mining (OSM): The two geospatial Data Standards, the Coal Surface 

Mining Permit Boundary Standard (D7384-07, approved September 1, 2007), and the 

Underground Coal Mine Extents Standard (D7443-08, approved April 1, 2008) will have 
99

voluntary consensus standards. 

The FGDC will also consider these ASTM standards for endorsement in FY2009. 

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

As a direct result of OMB Circular A?119, the Minerals Management Service of DOI 

continues to increase our presence in voluntary standards groups – both domestic and 

international. We believe that A?119 continues to work in a straightforward manner to 

encourage the use of voluntary consensus standards. The Minerals Management Service 

of DOI has not requested any exemptions, nor are we contemplating making such a 

request. 

We have no recommendations for changes to the Circular. 

Bureau of Indian Affairs strives to use VCS, whether as promulgated directly from a 

consensus standards body or as promulgated by regulatory body, are its first choice for 

guidance. This approach has helped us garner and retain options and flexibility in 

handling construction and new systems development. In that regard, A-119 has been of 

great use. 

FWS: The NIST and/or OMB should identify high priority VCS and Non-consensus 

standards for implementation by Federal agencies, especially standards that pertain to EGov initiatives and IT security requirements. 

USGS: Since its issuance, Circular A-119 has worked in a straightforward manner to 

encourage the use of voluntary consensus standards. Some people, however, believe that 

there is an order of preference for voluntary consensus standards (for example, 

international VCS are to be preferred to domestic VCS). The USGS encourages NIST 

and OMB to adjudicate issues concerning interpretation of OMB Circular A-119.

Circular A-119 allows exemptions where existing voluntary consensus standards are 

inconsistent with law or otherwise impractical and if each exemption is reported to OMB. 

The USGS has not requested any exemptions, nor is the FGDC contemplating making 

such a request. We have no recommendations for changes to the Circular. 

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

Office of Surface Mining (OSM): Two geospatial data standards for the Abandoned 

Mined Lands Program (AML) have been submitted to the ASTM International for 

consideration of approval. These two datasets (standards) include the AML Planning Unit 

and the AML Problem Area. 

The two approved ASTM geospatial Data Standards, the Coal Surface Mining Permit 

Boundary Standard (D7384-07, approved September 1, 2007), and the Underground Coal 

Mine Extents Standard (D7443-08, approved April 1, 2008) have been submitted in order 

to revise the current standards to address additional aspects of SMCRA mining. 
100

These standards will continue to have voluntary consensus standards. 

The use of geospatial data standards with respect to coal mining and reclamation will 

result in: 

1. Accurately describes coal mining geospatial data 

2. Promote understanding and use of coal mining regulatory data 

3. Ensure compatibility of data among state and federal SMCRA programs 

4. Form consistent datasets for use by the National map 

5. Improve accuracy of derived information products 

Successful test to assimilate coal mining activities data from WV, VA, AZ, CO, MO, 

NM, and TN. 

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

Some bureaus review standards every 5 years while others review annually.

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; Yes

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; C

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; Yes

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 1

*Government Unique Standard:

1. FWS Geospatial Metadata Standard (adopts the Content Standard for Digital 

Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM), Version 2.0 FGDC-STD-001-1998.

2. Nomenclature of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (FWS Dta Set 

Standard, Working Draft); proposed standard to adopt the Service's official list of 

scientific names, common names, and taxonomic group names for all species of wildlife 

and plants t (Incorporated: 2005) 
101

Voluntary Standard 

1. International Organization for Standardization (ISO, ISO 19115:2003, Published 

Standard on Geographic Information - Metadata 

2. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)of Wild Fauna and

Flora, Checklist of CITES Species; provides the official alphabetical list of CITES 

species, their scientific synonyms, their common names in English, French, and Spanish, 

etc. 

Rationale 

1. The Federal Geographic Committee (FGDC) developed the Content Standard for 

Digital Geospatial Metada (CSDGM) in response to Executive Order 12906, which 

require3d all Federal agencies to document spatial data in a consistent manner to 

facilitate sharing data and to reduce duplication of effort. The FWS officially adopted the 

FGDC CSDGM, Version 2.0, in August 1998. ISO 19115, an abstract standard, specified 

general content for the metadata, but does not specify format for the metadata. The 

FGDC is working to harmonize the ISO 19115 metadata standard with the CSDGM 

Version 2.0. 

2. Different Service programs maintain species lists in compliance with several 

conservation laws and treaties, including the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird 

Treaty Act, Lacey Act, and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species 

(CITES). In other words, there is no single species list that meets the needs of all Service 

programs. The list of scientific and common names for this data set is published in the 

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 50--Wildlife and Fisheries, Part 17--

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. These values, along with the associated 

species and population codes, are contained in the Service's official Threatened and 

Endangered Species System (TESS) database. 

3. Service personnel must comply with the adopted FWS data standard unless it confllicts 

with their primary responsibilities. for example, the FWS International Affairs Program is 

responsible for implementing CITE, a treaty with 153 member countries. In this capacity, 

the FWS is bound by resolution to use the ISO country codes in its permit numbers rather 

than the FIPS codes to ensure consistency in reporting. 

Government Unique Standard: Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the 

United States (FGDC-STD-004) (Incorporated: 2006) 

Voluntary Standard 

None to record. 

Rationale 

Use of FGDC standards are required under OMB Circular and Executive Order 12906.

Government Unique Standard:
102

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata Part 1: Biological Data Profile 

(FGDC-STD-001.1-1999 (Incorporated: 2006)

Voluntary Standard 

None to record. 

Rationale 

Use of FGDC standards are required under OMB Circular and Executive Order 12906.
103

1
104

Department of Justice (DOJ)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

The Department, in its primary mission roles, does not specify products requiring 

voluntary consensus standards. Because of the nature of the Department's missions, DOJ 

participates in the development of government standards for law enforcement information 

representation. The Department developed the National Information Exchange Model 

(NIEM) as a critical standard to facilitate the Law Enforcement Information Sharing 

Program. NIEM serves as a government standard for information that lacks voluntary 

consensus standards. 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 0

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 0

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: 

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 0

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 1

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

N/A

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:
105

The Department of Justice offers no recommended changes to Circular A-119.

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

No additional comments.

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

The Departmennt of Justice provides no additional commets.

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; C

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; E

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; No

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 0
106

Department of Labor (DOL) 

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

The United States Department of Labor (DOL) promulgates safety and health standards 

which provide minimum requirements for the protection of employees from workplace 

hazards. DOL consults and routinely relies on Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) 

whenever a Federal standard is written or updated. Since the VCS are on a shorter update 

cycle than Federal standards, the VCS provide a more current view of industry standards 

and practices than the Agency can efficiently or economically achieve. 

Furthermore, safety compliance officers use VCS during inspections and investigations 

when there are no Federal standards that apply in specific circumstances. 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 8

1. Government Unique Standard: 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S - Electrical Standard 

(Incorporated: 2007) (Incorporated: 2007) 

Voluntary Standard 

NFPA 70 - National Electric Code 

NFPA 70E - Electrical Safety Requirement for Employee Workplaces. 

ANSI/IEEE C2 - National Electrical Safety Code 

ANSI/ASME B30.4 - Portal, Tower, and Pedestal Cranes 

NFPA 33 - Spray Application Using Flammable or Combustible Materials 

ANSI Z133.1 Arboricultural Operations for Pruning, Repairing, Maintaining, and 

Removing Trees, and Cutting Brush 

Rationale 

Several voluntary consensus standards were relied upon for the various provisions 

in the final rule, however, no single VCS is available to cover all the workplace 

applications that are addressed by OSHA. The Agency believes that it would be 

less burdensome for the regulated community to use one OSHA standard rather 

than purchase and use the 6 individual consensus standards it used to write the 

rule. 

2. Government Unique Standard: 29 CFR 1926.1002 Roll-Over Protective 

Structures (Incorporated: 2006) (Incorporated: 2006) 

Voluntary Standard 

SAE J1194-1999 

Rationale 

Many consensus standards were relied upon for various provisions in the final 

rule. The primary VCS that applies directly to ROPS is SAE J1194-1999 which 

incorporates by reference several other VCSs. If SAE J1194-1999 was adopted 

into the OSHA provisions, the regulated community would have to consult not 

only the primary VCS but all of the VCSs that are incorporated into it as well. 
107

OSHA believes it is less burdensome for the regulated community to use one 

OSHA standard rather than require the purchase and use of several VCSs. 

3. Government Unique Standard: 30 CFR Part 75 - Sealing of Abandoned Areas -

Emergency Temporary Standard. (Incorporated: 2007) 

Voluntary Standard 

ACI 318-05 - Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and 

Commentary 

ACI 440.2R-02 - Design and Construction of Externally Bonded FRP 

Systems for Strengthening Concrete Structures 

ASTM E119-07 - Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building 

Construction and Materials 

ASTM E162-06 - Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials 

Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source 

Rationale 

Four consensus standards were relied upon for various provisions in the 

emergency temporary standard, but no one consensus standard is available that 

covered all of the topics covered by MSHA's Emergency Temporary Standard. 

4. Government Unique Standard: Electric Motor-Drive Equipment Rule 

(Incorporated: 2001) 

Voluntary Standard 

IEEE Standard 242-1986 Recommended Practice for Protection and Coordination 

of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems (IEEE Buff Book) and NFPA 70 -

national Electric Code 

Rationale 

The MSHA rule is a design-specific standards. The NFPA and IEEE standards 

were used as a source for the rule; however, the exact requirements of the rule 

were tailored to apply specifically to electric circuits and equipment used in the 

coal mining industry. 

5. Government Unique Standard: Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, and Fire 

Prevention Plans, 29 CFR 1910, Subpart E (Incorporated: 2003) 

Voluntary Standard 

Life Safety Code, NFPA 101-2000 

Rationale 

The OSHA standard addresses only workplace conditions whereas the NFPA Life 

Safety Code goes beyond workplaces. However, in the final rule OSHA stated 

that it had evaluated the NFPA Standard 101, Life Safety Code, (NFPA 101-

2000) and concluded that it provided comparable safety to the Exit Route 

Standards. Therefore, the Agency stated that any employer who complied with the 

NFPA 101-2000 instead of the OSHA Standard for Exit Routes would be in 

compliance. 

6. Government Unique Standard: Fire Protection for Shipyards, 29 CFR Part 

1915, Subpart P (Incorporated: 2004) 

Voluntary Standard 

NFPA 312-2000 Standard for Protection of Vessels During Construction, Repair, 

and Lay-Up 
108

NFPA 33-2003 Standard for Spray Application Using Flammable or Combustible 

Materials 

Rationale 

Many consensus standards were relied on for various provisions in OSHA's final 

rule, including 15 consensus standards that are incorporated by reference. 

However, OSHA and its negotiated rulemaking committee determined that there 

was no, one consensus standard available that covered all the topics in the rule. 

7. Government Unique Standard: Sanitary Toilets in Coal Mines, 30 CFR 71, 

Subpart E (Incorporated: 2003) 

Voluntary Standard 

Non-Sewered Waste Disposal Systems--Minimum Requirements, ANSI Z4.3-

1987 

Rationale 

The ANSI standard was not incorporated by reference because certain design 

criteria allowed in the ANSI standard, if implemented in an underground coal 

mine, could present health or safety hazards. For instance, combustion or 

incinerating toilets could introduce an ignition source which would create a fire 

hazard. For certain other design criteria found in the ANSI standard, sewage could 

seep into the groundwater, or overflow caused by rain or run-off could 

contaminate portions of the mine. 

8. Government Unique Standard: Steel Erection Standards (Incorporated: 2002) 

Voluntary Standard 

ANSI A10.13 - Steel Erection; ASME/ANSI B30 Series Cranes Standards 

Rationale 

Many consensus standards were relied upon for various provisions in the final 

rule, but there was no one consensus standard available that covered all of the 

topics covered by OSHA's final rule. 

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 0

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: 

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 16

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

American Lift Institute ALI

American National Standards Institute ANSI
109

American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME

American Society of Safety Engineers ASSE

American Welding Society AWS

Association for Machine Technology AMT

ASTM International ASTM

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers IEEE

International Organization for Standardization ISO

International Organization for Standardization/International 

Electrotechnical Commission ISO/IEC

International Window Cleaning Association IWCA

National Fire Protection Association NFPA

National Floor Safety Institute NFSI

National Safety Council NSC

Society of Automotive Engineers SAE

Underwriters Laboratories UL

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 58

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

No comment at this time.

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

No comment at this time.

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

No comment at this time.

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; No
110

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; D

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; No

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 0

t
111

Department of State (DOS)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

The Department of State, Economics & Energy Bureau, International Communications & 

Information Policy, Multilateral Affairs (EEB/CIP/MA) represents the nation at meetings 

of the United Nation's International Telecommunication Union (Telecommunication 

Development (ITU-D), Telecommunication Standardization (ITU-T), and 

Radiocommunication (ITU-R)). Especially in the case of the ITU-T, these sectors 

develop standards which govern international telecommunications. The Department of 

State coordinates development of the Government's technical, policy, and regulatory 

positions based on advice provided by government agencies (such as the Federal 

Communications Commission and the Department of Commerce/National 

Telecommunications and Information Administration) and the U.S. telecommunications 

industry. The Department also leads delegations to these international meetings selected 

from the public and private sectors. The resulting standards form the basis for the 

technical and policy aspects of international telecommunications and provide important 

input to the development of national regulatory policy. In particular, ITU-T standards are 

used to support standard quality of service and telecommunication transport mechanisms, 

among others. 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 0

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 0

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: The Department of State, EEB/CIP/MA, does not actually use the standards; it 

manages the U.S. participation in the process by which international standards are 

developed.

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 1

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym
112

International Telecommunication Union ITU

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 7

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

none

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

none

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

none

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

This part of the Department of State is involved in standards development not standards 

use.

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; C

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; E

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; No

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 0
113

Department of Transportation (DOT)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and its operating administrations rely 

upon an active consensus rulemaking program to support the Department's strategic 

goals: safety; reduced congestion; global connectivity; environmental stewardship; 

security, preparedness and response; and organizational excellence. In addition, DOT 

relies upon a consensus process with various stakeholders to advance innovative 

transportation technologies and operations, and to improve the state of transportation 

practice in all modes of transportation. Voluntary consensus standards, and the technical 

interchanges that occur during the process of developing and revising codes and 

standards, are an important element of meeting DOT's mission objectives. 

FY 2008 Standards Activities 

During FY 2008, DOT pursued several new and updated rulemakings that directly 

address safety, in collaboration with VCS developers. Three examples include: 

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), working with VCS 

developers and manufacturers, issued an amendment to the Federal motor vehicle safety 

standard on air brake systems to improve the stopping distance performance of truck 

tractors. The rule requires the vast majority of new heavy truck tractors to achieve a 30 

percent reduction in stopping distance compared to currently required levels. For these 

heavy truck tractors (approximately 99 percent of the fleet), the amended standard 

requires those vehicles to stop in not more than 250 feet when loaded to their gross 

vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and tested at a speed of 60 miles per hour (mph). Once all 

subject heavy truck tractors on the road are equipped with enhanced braking systems, 

NHTSA estimates that annually, approximately 227 lives will be saved and 300 serious 

injuries will be prevented. In addition, this final rule is expected to prevent over $169 

million in property damage annually, an amount which alone is expected to exceed the 

total cost of the rule. 

• Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)/Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 

Administration (PHMSA)’s proposal requiring tank cars carrying Poison Inhalation 

Hazard (PIH) commodities such as chlorine to be equipped with puncture-resistance 

protection strong enough to prevent penetration at speeds of 25 mph for side impacts and 

30 mph for head-on collisions—more than double the speed for existing tank cars. The 

proposal allows flexibility in reaching that goal. The proposed rule also sets a maximum 

speed limit of 50 mph for any train transporting a PIH tank car. In addition, a temporary 

speed restriction of 30 mph is being proposed for all PIH tank cars not meeting the 

puncture-resistance standard and which are traveling in ‘dark’, or non-signaled territory, 

until the rule is fully implemented or other safety measures are installed. Finally, the 
114

proposed rule requires that some of the oldest PIH tank cars in use today be phased out 

on an accelerated schedule so they no longer carry PIH materials. Specifically, this 

addresses the concern that PIH tank cars manufactured prior to 1989. The proposed 

rulemaking is being coordinated with the Association of American Railroads (AAR). 

• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is working closely with several VCS 

organizations concerning the creation of a regulation establishing National Tunnel 

Inspection Standards (NTIS). The NTIS would set minimum tunnel inspection standards 

that apply to all Federal-aid highway tunnels on public roads. The FHWA anticipates that 

NTIS would be modeled after the existing National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) 

regulation, found at 23 CFR Part 650, Subpart C. The NTIS would include requirements 

for inspection procedures for structural, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and ventilation 

systems, and other major elements specific to tunnels; the qualification and training of 

inspectors; and a National Tunnel Inventory. 

In support of DOT Organizational Excellence, DOT’s Office of the Inspector General 

(OIG) for the first time applied a VCS to an audit in FY 2008. The OIG initiated an audit 

of the DOT’s management of major information technology (IT) investment projects, 

covering $2.1 billion for 46 major IT investments in FY 2008. Twenty-two of these major 

investment projects are included in the Office of Management and Budget’s high-risk list 

for close monitoring. Audit objectives include determining whether the Earned Value 

Management measures included in the Exhibit 300 submissions properly reflect project 

performance. The OIG is applying Section 2 of the ANSI/EIA-748-A “Standard for 

Earned Value Management Systems,” providing a consistent set of audit questions and 

expectations for IT project management across DOT. 

DOT Standards Links 

DOT is in the process of developing a single standards website. Relevant operating 

administration websites include: 

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Construction Standards: 

http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/construction/construction_standards/ 

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Design Standards: 

http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/construction/design_standards/ 

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards Service: 

http://www.faa.gov/about/office%5Forg/headquarters%5Foffices/avs/offices/afs 

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-Industry Training Standards: 

http://www.faa.gov/education_research/training/fits/ 

• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Design Standards: 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/programadmin/standards.cfm 

• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Bridge Inspection Standards: 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/nbis/ 

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Rules and Regulations: 

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/rules-regulations.htm 

• Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Regulations, Orders, Notices, and Significant 

Guidance: http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/49 
115

• Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Regulations: 

http://www.fta.dot.gov/laws/leg_reg_808.html 

• Hydrogen Fuel Safety R&D Codes and Standards: 

http://hydrogen.gov/fed_Act_Topic6.htm 

• Maritime Administration (MARAD) Marine Industry Standards Library: 

http://marad.dot.gov/NMREC/library/std_lib.html 

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Regulations/Guidance: 

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.e649cd1b2b018c71d8eca01046108a

0c/ 

• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)/Hazardous 

Materials Safety Standards: http://hazmat.dot.gov/regs/intl/intstandards.htm 

• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)/Pipeline Safety 

Standards: http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/SafetyStandards.htm 

• Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA)/Bureau of Transportation 

(BTS) Standards Manual: http://www.bts.gov/programs/statistical_policy_and_research/ 

bts_statistical_standards_manual/ 

• Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA)/Intelligent Transportation 

Systems (ITS) Standards Program: http://www.standards.its.dot.gov/default.asp. 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 3

1. Government Unique Standard: 63 FR 17976; April 13, 1998 - Product Safety 

Signs and Labels (Incorporated: 1998) 

Voluntary Standard 

ANSI Z535.4 - ANSI Requirements for Color Coded Header Messages for the 

Different Levels of Hazard 

Rationale 

NHTSA explained in the NPRM that the American National Standard Institute 

(ANSI) has a standard4 for product safety signs and labels (ANSI Z535.4) that 

identifies a hierarchy of hazard levels ranging from extremely serious to 

moderately serious and specifies corresponding hierarchies of signal words, i.e., 

“danger,” “warning,” and “caution,” and of colors. For the header, the ANSI 

standard specifies a red background with white text for “danger,” an orange 

background with black text for “warning,” and a yellow background with black 

text for caution.” 

The ANSI standard specifies that pictograms should be black on white, with 

occasional uses of color for emphasis, and that message text should be black on 

white. The agency noted in the NPRM that when it earlier updated the 

requirements for air bag warning labels to require the addition of color and 

pictograms, it had chosen not to adopt the colors specified in the ANSI standard. 

NHTSA chose to use yellow instead of orange in the background of the heading 

for the air bag warning label, even though the word “warning” was used, because 

of overwhelming focus group preference for yellow. Only two of the 53 

participants preferred orange. Participants generally stated that yellow was more 

eye-catching than orange. Participants also noted that red (stop) and yellow 
116

(caution) had meaning to them, but not orange. 

NHTSA asked for comment on three color options for the revised utility vehicle 

rollover warning label. Proposed label 1 used the ANSI color format with the 

heading background in orange with the words in black. The remainder of the label 

had a white background with black text and drawings. Proposed label 2 used a 

color scheme like the air bag warning labels, which is the same as the ANSI color 

format except that the background color for the heading in the label is yellow. 

Proposed label 3 employed the color scheme used in the focus groups - the 

heading area had a red background with white text. The graphic areas had a 

yellow background with black and white drawings. The text area had a black 

background with yellow text. 

Despite focus group preference for the signal word “danger,” the agency proposed 

the use of the word “warning” as more appropriate to the level of risk. The agency 

also noted that the word “warning” is used in the air bag warning label. 

Recognizing that it might encounter additional conflicts between focus group 

preferences and the ANSI standard in future rulemakings, NHTSA requested 

comments in the NPRM on the extent to which any final choice regarding colors 

and signal words should be guided by the focus group preferences instead of the 

ANSI standard. NHTSA also requested comments on the broader issue of the 

circumstances in which it would be appropriate for agency rulemaking decisions 

to be guided by focus group results or other information when such information is 

contrary to a voluntary consensus standard such as the ANSI standard. 

At this time (February 22, 1999), a final decision is still pending regarding its 

proposal to upgrade the rollover warning label. As to the general questions it 

posed in the NPRM, NHTSA recognizes that ANSI’s mission differs somewhat 

from that of the agency’s focus groups with respect to the labeling of hazardous 

situations. ANSI’s mission is to develop and maintain a standard for 

communicating information about a comprehensive hierarchy of hazards, while 

the focus groups’ mission is to design an effective label for a specific hazard. The 

agency recognizes further that, given the difference in their missions, their 

conclusions about the appropriate manner of communication might differ on 

occasion. 

Since agency labeling decisions are highly dependent on the facts regarding the 

specific hazard being addressed, NHTSA anticipates making case-by-case 

determinations of the extent to which it should follow voluntary standards versus 

information from focus groups and other sources. NHTSA will rely on its own 

expertise and judgement in making determinations under the NTTAA and the 

statutory provisions regarding vehicle safety standards. 

2. Government Unique Standard: Air Bag Warning Label (1997) (Incorporated: 

1997) 
117

Voluntary Standard 

ANSI ISO 

Rationale 

The Air Bag Warning Label uses yellow as the background color, instead of 

orange, in accordance with an ANSI standard and uses a graphic developed by 

Chrysler Corporation to depict the hazards of being too close to an air bag, instead 

of the graphic recommended by the ISO. These decisions were based on focus 

group testing sponsored by the agency which strongly indicated that these unique

requirements would be far more effective with respect to safety than the industry 

standards. 

3. Government Unique Standard: Brake Performance, 49 CFR 393.52 - FMCSA's 

Performance-Based Brake Testers (PBBTs) Requirement (Incorporated: 2002) 

Voluntary Standard 

SAE J667 - Brake Test Code Inertia Dynamometer (cancelled February 2002) 

SAE J1854 - Brake Force Distribution Performance Guide - Trucks and Buses 

Rationale 

FMCSA used government-unique standards in lieu of voluntary consensus 

standards when it implemented its final rule to allow inspectors to use 

performance-based brake testers (PBBTs) to check the brakes on large trucks and 

buses for compliance with federal safety standards and to issue citations when 

these vehicles fail (67 FR 51770, August 9, 2002). The FMCSA evaluated several 

PBBTs during a round robin test series to assess their functional performance and 

potential use in law enforcement. The standard, a specific configuration of brake 

forces and wheel loads on a heavy-duty vehicle, was used to evaluate the 

candidate PBBTs and their operating protocols. The agency’s rationale for use of 

the government-unique standards was to verify that these measurements and new 

technology could be used by law enforcement as an alternative to stopping 

distance tests or on-road deceleration tests. PBBTs are expected to save time and 

their use could increase the number of commercial motor vehicles that can be 

inspected in a given time. Only PBBTs that meet specifications developed by the 

FMCSA can be used to determine compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier 

Safety Regulations. The final rule represents a culmination of agency research 

that began in the early 1990s. 

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted 

for Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under 

Section 15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the 

total number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector 

your agency began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your 

agency's rationale for using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in 

the private sector counted in this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 8

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: 
118

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 48

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

Aerospace Industries Association of America AIA

American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators AAMVA

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials AASHTO

American Gas Association AGA

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics AIAA

American National Standards Institute ANSI

American Petroleum Institute API

American Public Transportation Association APTA

American Pyrotechnics Association APA

American Railway Engineering & Maintenance-of-Way Association AREMA

American Society for Nondestructive Testing ASNT

American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE

American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME

American Trucking Association ATA

Association of American Railroads AAR

Association of Public Health Laboratories APHL

ASTM International ASTM

Canadian General Standards Board CGSB

Canadian Standards Association CSA

Chlorine Institute CI

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance CVSA

Compressed Gas Association CGA

Gas Technology Institute GTI

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers IEEE

Institute of Transportation Engineers ITE

Intelligent Transportation Society of America ITSA

International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA

International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO

International Commission on Occupational Health ICOH

International Maritime Organization IMO

International Organization for Standardization ISO

Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings 

Industry MSSVFI

National Association of Corrosion Engineers International NACE

National Association of State Fire Marshals NASFM

National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors NBBPVI
119

National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices NCUTCD

National Electrical Manufacturers Association NEMA

National Fire Protection Association NFPA

North America Free Trade Association NAFTA

North American Transport of Dangerous Goods Standards NATDGS

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD

Recreation Vehicle Industry Association RVIA

Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North 

America RESNA

Society of Automotive Engineers SAE

Transportation Research Board TRB

Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association TTMA

United Nations Committee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods UNTDG

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe WP .29/GRSP UNECE

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 184

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA): Under 15 CFR Part 287.4(i): FRA’s conformity 

assessment activities are visible internationally through expanded efforts in the area of 

safe, uniform international transport of hazardous materials by participation in the 

Canadian General Standards Board Tank Car Committee and the American Society of 

Mechanical Engineers Transportation Pressure Vessel Committee, as well as continuing 

to participate in the North American Transport of Dangerous Goods Standard Working 

Group and the Association of American Railroads Tank Car Committee. 

Under 15 CFR Part 287.4(j): Participation in the voluntary consensus standards bodies 

listed above as well as in numerous committees and sub-committees of those bodies gives 

FRA access to the developmental stages of private sector conformity assessment 

standards to ensure that the agency viewpoint is considered in the development of these 

standards. 

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

DOT believes that Circular A-119 is working effectively. The use of voluntary standards 

provides efficiencies for regulatory agencies, and for regulated entities and industries. 

There continues to be a low volume of government-unique standards being used in lieu of 

voluntary consensus standards within DOT. 

DOT recommends that OMB Circular A-119 be revised to require NTTAA reporting 
120

only on instances of government-unique standards being used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards. The Circular should continue the policy that there is no requirement 

to report on government-unique standards developed where a voluntary consensus 

standard is unavailable, per sections 6g and 9a of the Circular.

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

DOT offers no additional comments.

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

Standards referenced in the Code of Federal Regulations are periodically reviewed as part 

of the Section 610 reviews, and as a part of the continuing rulemaking process, including 

petitions for rulemaking. Some operating administrations also have an internal regulatory 

effectiveness review function, which provides a further opportunity to review both 

voluntary consensus and agency-unique standards. These avenues allow for both ad-hoc 

and periodic reviews. 

Standards incorporated into regulations for purposes of international harmonization are 

generally reviewed and updated every two years. 

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; Yes

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; C

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; Yes

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 5
121

Department of the Treasury (TRES)

Title: Department of the Treasury (TRES) Fiscal Year 2008 Agency Report

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

The mission of the Department of the Treasury is to promote the conditions for prosperity 

and stability in the United States and encourage prosperity and stability in the rest of the 

world. The mission statement highlights Treasury's role as the steward of U.S. economic 

and financial systems, and as an influential participant in the international economy. 

Treasury's commitment to our citizens is to create economic and employment 

opportunities for all by raising the rate of sustainable growth. To the extent this objective 

is linked to world economy, Treasury will seek to influence global financial and 

economic issues whenever possible to promote global economic growth and stability. The 

Department of the Treasury is the primary federal agency responsible for the economic 

and financial prosperity and security of the United States, and as such is responsible for a 

wide range of activities including advising the President on economic and financial 

issues, promoting the President's growth agenda, and enhancing corporate governance in 

financial institutions. The Department uses all applicable federal, Treasury, and generally 

accepted standards in carrying out its mission.

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 0

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 0

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: 

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 1

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards OASIS
122

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 0

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

None

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

None

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

No comments to offer at this time.

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

Treasury periodically reviews its use of standards for purposes of updating such use, but 

not on a regular schedule. The nature and timing of standards reviews are determined by 

business needs and federal and Treasuy requirements.

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; No

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; E

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; No

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 1
123

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

The Department of Veterans Affairs accepts and conforms to standards developed by the 

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Standards are 

crucial to obtain JCAHO certification for VA healthcare facilities and compliance must 

be maintained in order for facilities to operate. VA beneficiaries are cared for in 

community nursing homes under VA contracts, state home facilities, and hospital-based 

care programs in which standard requirements continue to be utilized in regulatory, 

contractual, and grant determinations executed by the VA. Reference website 

www1.va.gov/oamm/.

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 0

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 0

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: 

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 20

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

American Industrial Hygiene Association AIHA

American Institute of Timber Construction AITC

American National Metric Council ANMC

American National Standards Institute ANSI

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning 

Engineers ASHRAE

American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME

American Society of Safety Engineers ASSE
124

ASTM International ASTM

Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association BHMA

Federal Facilities Council FFC

Government Electronics & Information Technology Association GEITA

InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards INCITS

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations JCAHO

National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics NCVHS

National Fire Protection Association NFPA

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH

National Institute of Building Sciences NIBS

National Petroleum Management Association NPMA

North America Free Trade Association NAFTA

Society of Toxicological Pathologists STP

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 4

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

The VA does not engage in conformity assessment activities. VA strives to use industrybased standards and commerical off the shelf products.

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

The Department of Veterans Affairs suggests Circular A-119 implement a method to 

encourage agencies to be more involved in identifying and determining which standards 

are useful to the agency's activities and to direct the agency to be responsible in enforcing 

compliance when standards are identified.

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

Federal regulations prescribe standards that must be used (e.g., EPA laboratory standards 

and OSHA monitoring/sampling standards). Regardless of what may be developed by 

conformity assessment, VA is not relieved of its obligation to use standards prescribed by 

regulation. When not obligated to use a prescribed regulatory or other (e.g., JCAHO) 

standard, VA organizations must retain the flexibility to use the standard that best meets 

its programmatic needs. Federal regulations specify the use of the National Stock 

Number (NSN) to identify supply items and VA has incorporated this requirement into its 

policy. The outcome of ongoing discussions regarding implementation of a unique 

identifier does not negate VA's responsibility to use the NSN.

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:
125

The VA's ability to use voluntary consensus standards is stated in policy.

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; No

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; D

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; Yes

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 1
126

Appendix E – Individual, Unabridged Commission and other Agency Reports

Access Board (ACCESS)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

Under a variety of laws, the Access Board develops and maintains guidelines and 

standards to ensure that individuals with disabilities have accessibility to the built 

environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and for electronic and 

information technology. To the extent possible, the Access Board works with standardsetting organizations to ensure that its rules are harmonized with and reflected in model 

codes and standards. 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 1

1. Government Unique Standard: 36 CFR Part 1194 Electronic and Information 

Technology Accessibility Standards (December, 2000) (Incorporated: 2006) 

Voluntary Standard 

ANSI/IEEE Standard for Hearing Aid Compatibility with Wireless Devices 

Rationale 

A provision in the Section 508 Standards requires that interference to hearing 

technologies be reduced to the lowest possible level that allows a user of hearing 

technologies to utilize a telecommunications product. Individuals who are hard of 

hearing use hearing aids and other assistive listening devices, but they cannot be 

used if products introduce noise into the listening aids because of electromagnetic 

interference. The ANSI/IEEE Standard for Hearing Aid Compatibility with 

Wireless Devices was not completed in time for reference by the agency in its 

final rule published in FY 2000. However, the agency will consider using the 

Standard in FY 20007. In the meantime, because the requirement in the agency 

rule is a performance standard, the agency considers compliance with the VCS to 

meet the agency Standard. 

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 0

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: The Access Board has did not undertake rulemaking in 2008.
127

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 6

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

Acoustical Society of America ASA

American National Standards Institute ANSI

American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME

ASTM International ASTM

International Code Council ICC

National Spa and Pool Institute NSPI

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 11

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

The Board is conducting a review and update of its access standards for electronic and 

information technology covered by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. These 

standards, which were published in 2000, cover products and technologies procured by 

the Federal government, including computer hardware and software, Web sites, phone 

systems, fax machines, and copiers, among others. The Board organized an advisory 

committee (Telecommunications and Electronic and Information Technology Advisory 

Committee, TEITAC) to review its standards and guidelines and to recommend changes. 

The work of the committee included international representative and a review of 

applicable voluntary and consensus and non-consensus standards. 

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

The circular adequately addresses our agency needs and mission. 

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

n/a

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

Our agency reviews standards when we undertake a new rulemaking or revise an existing 

rule. 

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; Yes
128

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; C

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; No

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 0
129

U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

USAID did not submit a report for 2008.
130

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is responsible for protecting the 

American public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with thousands 

of types of consumer products. Since its inception in 1973, the Commission has promoted 

the development of voluntary product safety standards to help it accomplish this mission. 

From 1990 through 2008, the Commission staff supported the development of 414 

voluntary standards while the Commission issued 38 mandatory standards, approximately 

a ten-to-one ratio of voluntary to mandatory standards. Information on the Commission 

staff's involvement in voluntary standards activities can be found on CPSC's website at 

www.cpsc.gov

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 2

1. Government Unique Standard: 16 CFR 1500.17(a)(13), Metal-Cored 

Candlewicks Containing Lead and Candles With Such Wicks (Incorporated: 

2003) 

Voluntary Standard 

Voices of Safety International (VOSI) standard on lead in candle wicks 

Rationale 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that the VOSI standard is 

technically unsound, and thus would not result in the elimination or adequate 

reduction of the risk, and that substantial compliance with it is unlikely. See 68 

Fed. Reg. 19145-6, paragraph H2, Voluntary Standards for further information on 

this finding. 

2. Government Unique Standard: CPSC 16 CFR Parts 1213, 1500, and 1513 for 

Bunk Beds (Incorporated: 2000) 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM F1427-96 

Rationale 

The CPSC rules go beyond the provisions of the ASTM voluntary standard to 

provide increased protection to children from the risk of death and serious injury 

from entrapment. 

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 
131

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 0

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: 

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 13

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

American National Standards Institute ANSI

American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME

Association of Pool and Spa Professionals APSP

ASTM International ASTM

Canadian Standards Association CSA

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers IEEE

International 2-Up ATV Manufacturers Association I2AMA

International Safety Equipment Association ISEA

National Electrical Manufacturers Association NEMA

National Fire Protection Association NFPA

Specialty Vehicle Institute of America SVIA

Underwriters Laboratories UL

Window Covering Manufacturers Association WCMA

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 25

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

On August 14, 2008, the President signed into law the Consumer Product Safety 

Improvement Act of 2008, hereinafter refered to as the Act. Among other things, this Act 

sets forth requirements for general conformity certification and third party testing for 

children's products subject to consumer product safety rules under the ACT or similar 

rules, bans, standards, or regulations under any other Act enforced by the Commission. A 

copy of the Act and related information on CPSC conformity assessment activities is 

shown on CPSC's website at www.cpsc.gov under "Information on the Consumer 

Product Safety Improvement Act".

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:
132

During FY 2008, Commission staff efforts to enhance voluntary safety standards 

development were complemented by the overall Federal policy set forth in the Circular. 

There are no recommendations for changes in the Circular at this time.

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA), as amended, requires the Commission to 

defer to issued voluntary standards, rather than promulgate mandatory standards, when 

the voluntary standards will eliminate or adequately reduce the risk of injury addressed 

and it is likely that there will be substantial compliance with the voluntary standards. In 

addition, the Commission is required, after any notice or advance notice of proposed 

rulemaking, to provide technical and administrative assistance to persons or groups who 

propose to develop or modify an appropriate voluntary standard. Additionally, the 

Commission is encouraged to provide technical and administrative assistance to groups 

developing product safety standards and test methods, taking into account Commission 

resources and priorities. Congress passed the CPSIA in August 2008 that mandates 

several voluntary standards as mandatory standards, along with a mechanism to update 

them as the voluntary standards are updated. 

Since its inception in 1973, the Commission has promoted the development of voluntary 

product safety standards. Policy statements in support of voluntary standards were 

published by the CPSC in 1975 and 1978. These policy statements were updated in 1988 

and 2006 (16 CFR 1031). Staff directives on implementation of portions of these policy 

statements were promulgated in 1989 and updated in October 2001 and July 2006. Since 

the principles set forth in the OMB Circular A-119 were published, the Commission has 

consistently supported them.

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

The CPSC currently reports on its voluntary consensus standards activities in its 

Voluntary Standards Activities reports which are published and posted every six months 

on the CPSC website at www.cpsc.gov

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; C

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; A

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; Yes
133

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 1
134

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

Standards are increasingly important to both EPA's regulatory and voluntary programs in 

support of our mission. This year, for example, EPA extended its successful Water Sense 

program, which promotes conservation-efficiency in products that use water, to include 

shower heads. EPA chose to work with a voluntary standards body (The American 

Society of Mechanical Engineers - ASME) to develop a consensus standard that will 

support the program's objectives. EPA's choice has meant that the Agency can 

legitimately take advantage of and learn from a wide variety of stakeholders and 

technical experts as design and performance standards for these products are developed 

that meet the needs of industry and the intent of EPA's program all at one table. The 

Water Sense program also uses private sector third party conformity assessment bodies to 

verify that products covered by the conservation program comply with the requirements 

for labeling. In doing this the Agency works with the private sector industries, companies 

and other experts who acknowledge the methods and benefits of the program.

In the regulatory area, EPA continues to site voluntary consensus standards as primary 

test methods or performance measures in a wide variety of new regulations across the 

Agency. While the overall number of EPA employees participating in standards activities 

has not changed significantly, it is important to note that as people retire or move on to 

other positions, Agency management continues to support participation in standards 

activities so there is no loss of continuity in most instances. Put another way, working 

with voluntary standards bodies has become ingrained into how the Agency approaches 

many of its regulatory activities. 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 23

1. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 1 – Traverse Points, Stationary 

Sources (Incorporated: 2001) 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM D3154-00, Standard Method for Average Velocity in a Duct (Pitot Tube 

Method) 

Rationale 

1. The standard appears to lack in quality control and quality assurance 

requirements. It does not include the following: (1) Proof that openings of 

standard pitot tube have not plugged during the test; (2) if differential pressure 

gauges other than inclined manometers (e.g., magnehelic gauges) are used, their 

calibration must be checked after each test series; and (3) the frequency and 

validity range for calibration of the temperature sensors. 2. They are too general, 

too broad, or not sufficiently detailed to assure compliance with EPA regulatory 

requirements. 
135

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM D3154-91 (1995), Standard Method for Average Velocity in a Duct (Pitot 

Tube Method) 

Rationale 

Is too general, too broad, or not sufficiently detailed to assure compliance with 

EPA regulatory requirements. 

2. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 101 - Mercury Emissions, ChlorAlkali Plants (Air) (Incorporated: 2001) 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM D6216-98 - Standard Practice for Opacity Monitor Manufacturers to 

Certify Conformance with Design and Performance Specifications. 

Rationale 

The EPA is incorporating ASTM D6216 (manufacturers certification) by 

reference into EPA Performance Specification 1, Sect. 5 & 6 in another 

rulemaking. ASTM D6216 does not address all the requirements specified in PS1. 

3. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 101a - Mercury Emissions 

Sewer/Sludge Incinerator (Incorporated: 2001) 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM D6216-98 - Standard Practice for Opacity Monitor Manufacturers to 

Certify Conformance with Design and Performance Specifications. 

Rationale 

The EPA is incorporating ASTM D6216 (manufacturers certification) by 

reference into EPA Performance Specification 1, Sect. 5 & 6 in another 

rulemaking. ASTM D6216 does not address all the requirements specified in PS1. 

4. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 10A – Carbon Monoxide for 

Certifying CEMS (Incorporated: 2001) 

Voluntary Standard 

CAN/CSA Z223.21-M1978, Method for the Measurement of Carbon Monoxide: 

3—Method of Analysis by Non-Dispersive Infrared Spectrometry. 

Rationale 

1. It is lacking in the following areas: (1) Sampling procedures; (2) procedures to 

correct for the carbon dioxide concentration; (3) instructions to correct the gas 

volume if CO2 traps are used; (4) specifications to certify the calibration gases are 

within 2 percent of the target concentration; (5) mandatory instrument 

performance characteristics (e.g., rise time, fall time, zero drift, span drift, 

precision); (6) quantitative specification of the span value maximum as compared 

to the measured value: The standard specifies that the instruments should be 

compatible with the concentration of gases to be measured, whereas EPA Method 

10 specifies that the instrument span value should be no more than 1.5 times the 

source performance standard. 2. Is too general, too broad, or not sufficiently 

detailed to assure compliance with EPA regulatory requirements. 

5. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 12 – Inorganic Lead, Stationary 

Sources (Incorporated: 2000) 

Voluntary Standard 
136

ASTM D4358-94 (1999), Standard Test Method for Lead and Chromium in Air 

Particulate Filter Samples of Lead Chromate Type Pigment Dusts by Atomic 

Absorption Spectroscopy 

Rationale 

These ASTM standards do not require the use of glass fiber filters as in EPA 

Method 12 and require the use of significantly different digestion procedures that 

appear to be milder than the EPA Method 12 digestion procedure. For these 

reasons, these ASTM standards cannot be considered equivalent to EPA Method 

12. Also, the subject ASTM standards do not require the use of hydrogen fluoride 

(HF) as in EPA Method 29 and, therefore, they cannot be used for the preparation, 

digestion, and analysis of Method 29 samples. Additionally, Method 29 requires 

the use of a glass fiber filter, whereas these three ASTM standards require 

cellulose filters and other probable nonglass fiber media, which cannot be 

considered equivalent to EPA Method 29. 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM E1741-95 (1995), Standard Practice for Preparation of Airborne 

Particulate Lead Samples Collected During Abatement and Construction 

Activities for Subsequent Analysis by Atomic Spectrometry 

Rationale 

These ASTM standards do not require the use of glass fiber filters as in EPA 

Method 12 and require the use of significantly different digestion procedures that 

appear to be milder than the EPA Method 12 digestion procedure. For these 

reasons, these ASTM standards cannot be considered equivalent to EPA Method 

12. Also, the subject ASTM standards do not require the use of hydrogen fluoride 

(HF) as in EPA Method 29 and, therefore, they cannot be used for the preparation, 

digestion, and analysis of Method 29 samples. Additionally, Method 29 requires 

the use of a glass fiber filter, whereas these three ASTM standards require 

cellulose filters and other probable nonglass fiber media, which cannot be 

considered equivalent to EPA Method 29. 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM E1979-98 (1998), Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Extraction of Paint, 

Dust, Soil, and Air Samples for Subsequent Determination of Lead 

Rationale 

These ASTM standards do not require the use of glass fiber filters as in EPA 

Method 12 and require the use of significantly different digestion procedures that 

appear to be milder than the EPA Method 12 digestion procedure. For these 

reasons, these ASTM standards cannot be considered equivalent to EPA Method 

12. Also, the subject ASTM standards do not require the use of hydrogen fluoride 

(HF) as in EPA Method 29 and, therefore, they cannot be used for the preparation, 

digestion, and analysis of Method 29 samples. Additionally, Method 29 requires 

the use of a glass fiber filter, whereas these three ASTM standards require 

cellulose filters and other probable nonglass fiber media, which cannot be 

considered equivalent to EPA Method 29. 

6. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 17 - Particle Matter (PM) In Stack 

Filtration (Incorporated: 2001) 

Voluntary Standard 
137

ASME C00049 

Rationale 

EPA looked at this standard for both Pulp and Paper Hazardous Air Pollutant 

rules and for the Small Municipal Waste Combustion rule. Contains sampling 

options beyond which would be considered acceptable for Method 5. 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM D3685/3685M-95 - Standard Test method for Sampling and 

Determination of Particle Matter in Stack Gases 

Rationale 

EPA looked at this standard for both Pulp and Paper Hazardous Air Pollutant 

rules and for the Small Municipal Waste Combustion rule. Contains sampling 

options beyond which would be considered acceptable for Method 5. 

7. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 2 – Velocity and S-type Pitot 

(Incorporated: 1999) 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM D3464-96 (2001), Standard Test Method Average Velocity in a Duct 

Using a Thermal Anemometer 

Rationale 

Applicability specifications are not clearly defined, e.g., range of gas 

composition, temperature limits. Also, the lack of supporting quality assurance 

data for the calibration procedures and specifications, and certain variability 

issues that are not adequately addressed by the standard limit EPA's ability to 

make a definitive comparison of the method in these areas. 

Voluntary Standard

ISO 10780:1994, Stationary Source Emissions-- Measurement of Velocity and 

Volume Flowrate of Gas Streams in Ducts 

Rationale 

The standard recommends the use of an L-shaped pitot, which historically has not 

been recommended by EPA. The EPA specifies the S-type design, which has 

large openings that are less likely to plug up with dust. 

8. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 21 - Volatile Organic Compound 

(VOC) Leaks (Incorporated: 2003) 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM E1211-97 - Standard Practice for Leak Detection and Location Using 

Surface-Mounted Acoustic Emission Sensors 

Rationale 

This standard will detect leaks but not classify the leak as VOC, as in EPA 

Method 21. In addition, in order to detect the VOC concentration of a known 

VOC leak, the acoustic signal would need to be calibrated against a primary 

instrument. Background noise interference in some source situations could also 

make this standard difficult to use effectively. 

9. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 25 – Gaseous Nonmethane 

Organic Emissions (Incorporated: 2001) 

Voluntary Standard 
138

EN 12619:1999 Stationary Source Emissions--Determination of the Mass 

Concentration of Total Gaseous Organic Carbon at Low Concentrations in Flue 

Gases--Continuous Flame Ionization Detector Method 

Rationale 

The standards do not apply to solvent process vapors in concentrations greater 

than 40 ppm (EN 12619) and 10 ppm carbon (ISO 14965). Methods whose upper 

limits are this low are too limited to be useful in measuring source emissions, 

which are expected to be much higher. 

Voluntary Standard 

ISO 14965:2000(E) Air Quality--Determination of Total Nonmethane Organic 

Compounds--Cryogenic Preconcentration and Direct Flame Ionization Method 

Rationale 

The standards do not apply to solvent process vapors in concentrations greater 

than 40 ppm (EN 12619) and 10 ppm carbon (ISO 14965). Methods whose upper 

limits are this low are too limited to be useful in measuring source emissions, 

which are expected to be much higher. 

10. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 25A – Gaseous Organic 

Concentration, Flame Ionization (Incorporated: 2001) 

Voluntary Standard 

EN 12619:1999 Stationary Source Emissions--Determination of the Mass 

Concentration of Total Gaseous Organic Carbon at Low Concentrations in Flue 

Gases--Continuous Flame Ionization Detector Method 

Rationale 

The standards do not apply to solvent process vapors in concentrations greater 

than 40 ppm (EN 12619) and 10 ppm carbon (ISO 14965). Methods whose upper 

limits are this low are too limited to be useful in measuring source emissions, 

which are expected to be much higher. 

Voluntary Standard 

ISO 14965:2000(E) Air Quality--Determination of Total Nonmethane Organic 

Compounds--Cryogenic Preconcentration and Direct Flame Ionization Method 

Rationale 

The standards do not apply to solvent process vapors in concentrations greater 

than 40 ppm (EN 12619) and 10 ppm carbon (ISO 14965). Methods whose upper 

limits are this low are too limited to be useful in measuring source emissions, 

which are expected to be much higher. 

11. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 28 (Section 10.1) – Wood Heaters, 

Certificate and Auditing (Incorporated: 2003) 

Voluntary Standard 

ASME Power Test Codes, Supplement on Instruments and Apparatus, part 5, 

Measurement of Quantity of Materials, Chapter 1, Weighing Scales 

Rationale 

It does not specify the number of initial calibration weights to be used nor a 

specific pretest weight procedure. 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM E319-85 (Reapproved 1997), Standard Practice for the Evaluation of 

Single-Pan Mechanical Balances 
139

Rationale 

This standard is not a complete weighing procedure because it does not include a 

pretest procedure. 

12. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 29 – Metals Emissions from 

Stationary Sources (Incorporated: 2001) 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM D4358-94 (1999), Standard Test Method for Lead and Chromium in Air 

Particulate Filter Samples of Lead Chromate Type Pigment Dusts by Atomic 

Absorption Spectroscopy 

Rationale 

These ASTM standards do not require the use of glass fiber filters as in EPA 

Method 12 and require the use of significantly different digestion procedures that 

appear to be milder than the EPA Method 12 digestion procedure. For these 

reasons, these ASTM standards cannot be considered equivalent to EPA Method 

12. Also, the subject ASTM standards do not require the use of hydrogen fluoride 

(HF) as in EPA Method 29 and, therefore, they cannot be used for the preparation, 

digestion, and analysis of Method 29 samples. Additionally, Method 29 requires 

the use of a glass fiber filter, whereas these three ASTM standards require 

cellulose filters and other probable nonglass fiber media, which cannot be 

considered equivalent to EPA Method 29. 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM E1741-95 (1995), Standard Practice for Preparation of Airborne 

Particulate Lead Samples Collected During Abatement and Construction 

Activities for Subsequent Analysis by Atomic Spectrometry 

Rationale 

These ASTM standards do not require the use of glass fiber filters as in EPA 

Method 12 and require the use of significantly different digestion procedures that 

appear to be milder than the EPA Method 12 digestion procedure. For these 

reasons, these ASTM standards cannot be considered equivalent to EPA Method 

12. Also, the subject ASTM standards do not require the use of hydrogen fluoride 

(HF) as in EPA Method 29 and, therefore, they cannot be used for the preparation, 

digestion, and analysis of Method 29 samples. Additionally, Method 29 requires 

the use of a glass fiber filter, whereas these three ASTM standards require 

cellulose filters and other probable nonglass fiber media, which cannot be 

considered equivalent to EPA Method 29. 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM E1979-98 (1998), Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Extraction of Paint, 

Dust, Soil, and Air Samples for Subsequent Determination of Lead

Rationale 

These ASTM standards do not require the use of glass fiber filters as in EPA 

Method 12 and require the use of significantly different digestion procedures that 

appear to be milder than the EPA Method 12 digestion procedure. For these 

reasons, these ASTM standards cannot be considered equivalent to EPA Method 

12. Also, the subject ASTM standards do not require the use of hydrogen fluoride 

(HF) as in EPA Method 29 and, therefore, they cannot be used for the preparation, 

digestion, and analysis of Method 29 samples. Additionally, Method 29 requires 
140

the use of a glass fiber filter, whereas these three ASTM standards require 

cellulose filters and other probable nonglass fiber media, which cannot be 

considered equivalent to EPA Method 29. 

Voluntary Standard 

CAN/CSA Z223.26-M1987, Measurement of Total Mercury in Air Cold Vapour 

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometeric Method 

Rationale 

It lacks sufficient quality assurance and quality control requirements necessary for 

EPA compliance assurance requirements. 

13. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 306 - Chromium Emissions, 

Electroplating and Anodizing (Incorporated: 2002) 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM D4358-94 (1999) - Standard Test Method for Lead and Chromium in Air 

Particulate Filter Samples of Lead Chromate Type Pigment Dusts by Atomic 

Absorption Spectroscopy 

Rationale 

This MACT standard (Petroleum Refineries) only cites Method 29. Therefore, the 

following EPA comment is only applicable for Method 29 not Method 12 and 

306: Method 29 requires the use of hydrofluoric acid (HF) in its process of 

digestion of the sample. ASTM D4358-94 (1999) does not require the use of HF; 

therefore, it cannot be used in the preparation, digestion, and analysis of Method 

29 samples. Additionally, Method 29 requires the use of a glass fiber filter, 

whereas the subject ASTM standard requires cellulose filters and other probable 

non-glass fiber media, and this further negates their use as Method 29 equivalent 

methods. (Same comment as provided for ASTM E1741 and ASTM E1979). 

14. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 306a - Chromium Emissions, 

Electroplating -- Mason Jar (Incorporated: 2002) 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM D4358-94 (1999) - Standard Test Method for Lead and Chromium in Air 

Particulate Filter Samples of Lead Chromate Type Pigment Dusts by Atomic 

Absorption Spectroscopy 

Rationale 

This MACT standard (Petroleum Refineries) only cites Method 29. Therefore, the 

following EPA comment is only applicable for Method 29 not Method 12 and 

306: Method 29 requires the use of hydrofluoric acid (HF) in its process of 

digestion of the sample. ASTM D4358-94 (1999) does not require the use of HF; 

therefore, it cannot be used in the preparation, digestion, and analysis of Method 

29 samples. Additionally, Method 29 requires the use of a glass fiber filter, 

whereas the subject ASTM standard requires cellulose filters and other probable 

non-glass fiber media, and this further negates their use as Method 29 equivalent 

methods. (Same comment as provided for ASTM E1741 and ASTM E1979). 

15. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 3A – Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen 

Concentrations, IAP (Incorporated: 1999) 

Voluntary Standard 

ISO 12039:2001, Stationary Source Emissions-- Determination of Carbon 

Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, and Oxygen--Automated Methods 
141

Rationale

This ISO standard is similar to EPA Method 3A, but is missing some key features. 

In terms of sampling, the hardware required by ISO 12039:2001 does not include 

a 3-way calibration valve assembly or equivalent to block the sample gas flow 

while calibration gases are introduced. In its calibration procedures, ISO 

12039:2001 only specifies a two-point calibration while EPA Method 3A 

specifies a three-point calibration. Also, ISO 12039:2001 does not specify 

performance criteria for calibration error, calibration drift, or sampling system 

bias tests as in the EPA method, although checks of these quality control features 

are required by the ISO standard. 

16. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 515.4 – Chlorinated Acids in DW 

by LL Fast CG/ECD (Incorporated: 2003) 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM D5317-98 -- Standard Test Method For Determination of Chlorinated 

Organic Acid Compounds in Water by Gas Chromatography With an Electron 

Capture Detector 

Rationale 

ASTM D5317-98 specifies acceptance windows for the initial demonstration of 

proficiency for laboratory fortified blank samples that are as small as 0 percent to 

as large as 223 percent recovery for picloram, with tighter criteria for other 

regulated contaminants. Therefore, this method permits unacceptably large 

control limits, which include 0 percent recovery. 

Voluntary Standard 

Standard Method 6640 B for the chlorinated acids 

Rationale 

The use of this voluntary consensus standard would have been impractical due to 

significant shortcomings in the sample preparation and quality control sections of 

the method instructions. Section 1b of Method SM 6640 B states that the alkaline 

wash detailed in section 4b2 is optional. The hydrolysis that occurs during this 

step is essential to the analysis of the esters of many of the analytes. Therefore, 

this step is necessary and cannot be optional. In addition, the method specifies 

that the quality control limits for laboratory-fortified blanks are to be based upon 

plus or minus three times the standard deviation of the mean recovery of the 

analytes, as determined in each laboratory. Therefore, this method permits 

unacceptably large control limits, which may include 0 percent recovery. 

17. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 531.2 – NMethylcarbamoylozimes/ates, Aqueous In/HPLC (Incorporated: 2003) 

Voluntary Standard 

Standard Method 6610, 20th Edition 

Rationale 

Standard Method 6610, 20th Edition has recently been approved for compliance 

monitoring. Standard Method 6610, 20th Supplemental Edition permits the use of 

a strong acid, hydrochloric acid (HCL), as a preservative. The preservatives in all 

of the other approved EPA and Standard Methods procedures for these analytes 

are weak acids that adjust the pH to a specific value based upon the pKa of the 

preservative. The use of HCL would require accurate determinations of the pH of 
142

the sample in the field and could be subject to considerable error and possible 

changes in pH upon storage. Although not specifically observed for oxamyl or 

carbofuran during the development of similar methods, structurally similar 

pesticides have been shown to degrade over time when kept at pH 3. Therefore, 

approval of this method is impractical because it specifies the use of a strong acid 

(HCL) when positive control of the pH is critical. 

Voluntary Standard 

Standard Method 6610, 20th Supplemental Edition 

Rationale 

Standard Method 6610, 20th Edition has recently been approved for compliance 

monitoring. Standard Method 6610, 20th Supplemental Edition permits the use of 

a strong acid, hydrochloric acid (HCL), as a preservative. The preservatives in all 

of the other approved EPA and Standard Methods procedures for these analytes 

are weak acids that adjust the pH to a specific value based upon the pKa of the 

preservative. The use of HCL would require accurate determinations of the pH of 

the sample in the field and could be subject to considerable error and possible 

changes in pH upon storage. Although not specifically observed for oxamyl or 

carbofuran during the development of similar methods, structurally similar 

pesticides have been shown to degrade over time when kept at pH 3. Therefore, 

approval of this method is impractical because it specifies the use of a strong acid 

(HCL) when positive control of the pH is critical. 

18. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method 5i - Low Level Particulate Matter, 

Stationary Sources (Incorporated: 2001) 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM D6331-98 

Rationale 

This standard does not have paired trains as specified in method 5 and does not 

include some quality control procedures specified in the EPA method and which 

are appropriate to use in this rule. 

19. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method ALT 004 (Incorporated: 2002) 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM D5835-95 - Standard Practice for Sampling Stationary Source Emissions 

for Automated Determination of Gas Concentration 

Rationale 

Similar to Methods 3a, 6c, 7e, 10, ALT 004, CTM 022. Lacks in detail and 

quality assurance and quality control requirements. Very similar to ISO 10396. 

Voluntary Standard 

ISO 10396:1993 - Stationary Source Emissions: Sampling for the Automated 

Determination of Gas Concentrations 

Rationale 

Duplicates Method 3a, 6c, 7e, 10, ALT 004, CTM 022. Lacks in detail and quality 

assurance plus quality control requirements. Similar to ASTM D5835. 

20. Government Unique Standard: EPA Method CTM 022 (Incorporated: 2002) 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM D5835-95 - Standard Practice for Sampling Stationary Source Emissions 

for Automated Determination of Gas Concentration 
143

Rationale 

Similar to Methods 3a, 6c, 7e, 10, ALT 004, CTM 022. Lacks in detail and 

quality assurance and quality control requirements. Very similar to ISO 10396. 

Voluntary Standard 

ISO 10396:1993 - Stationary Source Emissions: Sampling for the Automated 

Determination of Gas Concentrations 

Rationale 

Duplicates Method 3a, 6c, 7e, 10, ALT 004, CTM 022. Lacks in detail and quality 

assurance plus quality control requirements. Similar to ASTM D5835. 

21. Government Unique Standard: EPA Performance Specification 2 (nitrogen 

oxide portion only) (Incorporated: 2001) 

Voluntary Standard 

ISO 10849:1996, Determination of the Mass Concentration of Nitrogen Oxides--

Performance 

Rationale 

Is too general, too broad, or not sufficiently detailed to assure compliance with 

EPA regulatory requirements. 

22. Government Unique Standard: EPA Performance Specification 2 (sulfur 

dioxide portion only) (Incorporated: 2001) 

Voluntary Standard 

ISO 7935:1992, Stationary Source Emissions--Determination of the Mass 

Concentration of Sulfur Dioxide--Performance Characteristics of Automated 

Measuring Methods" 

Rationale 

Is too general, too broad, or not sufficiently detailed to assure compliance with 

EPA regulatory requirements. 

23. Government Unique Standard: SW846-6010b (Incorporated: 2002) 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM C1111-98 (1998) - Standard Test Method for Determining Elements in 

Waste Streams by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometers 

Rationale 

This standard lacks details for instrument operation QA/QC, such as optimizing 

plasma operating conditions; upper limit of linear dynamic range; spectral

interference correction; and calibration procedures, which include initial and 

continuous calibration verifications. Also lacks internal standard and method of 

standard addition options for samples with interferences. 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM D6349-99 (1999) - Standard Test Method for Determining Major and 

Minor Elements in Coal, Coke, and Solid Residues from Combustion of Coal and 

Coke by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometers 

Rationale 

This standard lacks details for instrument operation QA/QC, such as optimizing 

plasma operating conditions, upper limit of linear dynamic range, spectral 

interference correction, and calibration procedures, that include initial and 

continuous calibration verifications. Also lacks details for standard preparation, 
144

and internal standard and method of standard addition options for samples with 

interferences. 

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 4

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: 

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 25

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

Acoustical Society of America ASA

American Architectural Manufacturers Association AAMA

American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators AAMVA

American College of Radiology ACR

American Gas Association AGA

American National Standards Institute ANSI

American Petroleum Institute API

American Society for Quality ASQ

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning 

Engineers ASHRAE

American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME

American Water Works Association AWWA

ASTM International ASTM

Electronic Industries Alliance EIA

Illuminating Engineering Society of North America IESNA

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers IEEE

International Code Council ICC

International Organization for Standardization ISO

International Organization for Standardization/International 

Electrotechnical Commission ISO/IEC

National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation NACLA

NSF International NSFI
145

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD

Society of Automotive Engineers SAE

Underwriters Laboratories UL

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe WP .29/GRSP UNECE

United States Pharmacopoeia USP

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 32

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

EPA's Office of Water uses private-sector third party certifiers as part of its Water Sense 

Program. 

EPA participates in the governance of the ASQ-ANSI National Accreditation Board 

(ANAB) 

The Agency's Standards Executive serves on the American National Accreditation Board, 

ANAB, which overseas the accreditation processes and policies for third party bodies 

providing certification and registration services to ISO 9000 quality management 

standards and ISO 14001 environmental managmeent system standards. 

The Agency's Standards Executive also serves as an Officer of the Board for the 

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) that is one of the two partners in the 

ANAB, and is also the provider for Personnel Certification services as part of the 

Institutes portfolio directed by the Board. 

Agency personnel serve on the Environmental Management System and the Quality 

Management System Advisory Councils of Underwriter Laboratories, an internationally 

recognized standards and certification body. 

Agency personnel participate in the Environmental Auditing Roundtable (EAR) which 

reviews policies and procedures for auditing related to environmental applications. 

An Agency auditing expert serves on the ANSI International Conformity Assessment 

Committee, the International Accreditation Forum and works with the ISO Conformity 

Assessment Committee. 

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

The Circular is helpful in establishing the importance of voluntary consenses standards 

for the federal sector, and is also helpful in explaining to the private sector how 

government agencies interface with standards development organizations. 
146

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

EPA rulewriters have used the internal agency guide for a number of years so that they 

can search for voluntary standards as rules are being developed. The biggest increase in 

'standards awareness' in the agency over the past three years has been in relationship to 

the non-regulatory programs which are often partnership programs with areas of the 

private sector. Some examples are the Agency's green buildings program that makes 

significant use of standards; the newly formed Green Meetings project that has already 

engaged ASTM International for standards development to compliment the project; and 

the Sustainable Products Network, a cross-Agency group promoting improved ecolabeling, that has engaged the American National Standards Institute's Standards Panel 

mechanism. 

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

Questions 10.6 and 10.7 are unanswerable by EPA in their current format. The responses 

are included only because the online system won't allow a non-response. The Agency's 

Standards Executive has alerted authorities to this and asked many times for the format to 

be changed so that the Agency can respond meaningfully. 

The Agency does maintain a database of EPA standards methods that were developed 

over the years in consultation with the regulated community and other technical experts. 

These standards are likely subject to review, but a technical review of a test method is not 

in and of itself a justification for opening up a regulation in which the standard(s) may be 

used. In rare cases where compliance with the REGULATION itself comes into question 

based on an outdated standard, the Agency undertakes appropriate action for those 

regulations. Revising standards outside of consideration for their existent references in 

regulations is without merit, is a cost burden and could result in confusion for compliance 

to existing regulations. To date, there have been very few (less than 5) comments on 

proposed regulations that cite the particular test method - whether a consensus standard 

or an EPA test method - as the basic opposition to the proposed regulation. Therefore, 

updating standards for the purpose of updating is not reportable here in the format 

provided. 

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; Yes

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; C
147

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; No

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 0
148

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

The FCC references many standards in support of the Commission’s regulatory 

responsibilities. These standards, referenced in the FCC rules, range from referencing 

measurement methods and conformity assessment procedures to radio carriage 

requirements for oceangoing vessels to promote safety of life. In addition, standards are 

used to promote compatibility between radios and to achieve coordination among 

Commission licensees. 

For example: In the Hearing Aid Compatibility Report and Order (WT Docket No. 01-

309), the Commission required that digital wireless phones be capable of operating 

effectively with hearing aids based on certain performance measurement standards 

contained in the 2001 version of ANSI C63.19, “American National Standard for 

Methods of Measurement of Compatibility between Wireless Communication Devices 

and Hearing Aids, ANSI C63.19-2001.” Pursuant to the Hearing Aid Compatibility 

Report and Order, the Commission encouraged the relevant stakeholders to review the 

standard periodically to determine whether improvements to the standard are warranted. 

The Accredited Standards Committee on Electromagnetic Compatibility, C63 (ASC C63) 

has been working to revise C63.19-2001 and in a public notice (DA 06-1215) issued on 

June 6, 2006, the Commission recognized the use of either ANSI C63.19 standard, 2001, 

2005 or 2006 for rating wireless phones, consistent with 47 C.F.R. § 2.947 (b). Allowing 

the use of the new measurement and rating procedures now should assist manufacturers 

and carriers in providing handset models that comply with the hearing aid compatibility 

requirements of 47 C.F.R. § 20.19(b). 

Another example is the successful use of the Telecommunications Industry Association 

Telecommunications System Bulletin 10-F, "Interference Criteria for Microwave 

Systems." This standard, referenced within several Commission rule parts has become the 

cornerstone for applicants and licnesees to successfully coordinate the use of microwave 

communications systems. 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 0

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 
149

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 157

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: N/A

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 13

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions ATIS

American National Standards Institute ANSI

Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers IEEE

Intelligent Transportation Society of America ITSA

International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO

International Maritime Organization IMO

International Organization for Standardization ISO

International Organization for Standardization/International 

Electrotechnical Commission ISO/IEC

International Telecommunication Union ITU

Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics RTCA

Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services RTCM

Telecommunications Industry Association TIA

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 28

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

Accredited Laboratory Recognition Program 

A2LA and NIST’s National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) are 

approved accreditation bodies under the U.S. Federal Communications Commission 

(FCC) program that requires manufacturers and suppliers of personal computers, 

computer peripherals and other Radio Frequency (RF) devices who intend to use a 

“Declaration of Conformity” on their products to have the products tested by an 

accredited Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing laboratory. 

The FCC also recognizes accredited testing laboratories that have been accredited by 

A2LA and NVLAP to perform testing on products subject to the Commission’s 
150

equipment authorization program on products subject to certification under Part 15.. 

The accreditation of a laboratory located outside of the United States, or its possessions, 

is acceptable to the Commission if the accredited laboratory has been designated by a 

foreign designating authority and recognized by the Commission under the terms of a 

government-to-government Mutual Recognition Agreement/Arrangement (MRA); or if 

the testing laboratory has been recognized by the Commission as being accredited by an 

organization that has entered into an arrangement between accrediting organizations and 

the arrangement has been recognized by the Commission. 

The FCC has recognized a total of 252 accredited laboratories. 101 are located in the 

United States and 151 are located outside of the United States. 

Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCB) Program 

On December 17, 1998, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules 

for the establishment of Telecommunication Certification Bodies (TCB). A TCB is a 

private organization, which is authorized to issue grants, within its scope of designation, 

for equipment subject to the FCC’s certification procedure. Under these rules, a TCB has 

the authority to review and grant an application for certification to the FCC rules. This 

order also established procedures for foreign TCBs under the terms of a government-togovernment Mutual Recognition Agreement/Arrangement (MRA). Foreign TCBs, where 

recognized, certify equipment to U.S. requirements using test procedures and technical 

requirements under the FCC rules for purposes of U.S.-valid equipment authorization. 

There are two “phases” of mutual recognition. Phase I permits tests performed outside the 

U.S. to be used in support of equipment authorization of products subject to the FCC’s 

Declaration of Conformity (DoC) requirements; Phase II permits the certification of 

products subject to the FCC’s certification requirements by a TCB located outside of the 

U.S. 

In May 2000, NIST initially evaluated American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) 

Conformity Assessment Program for compliance with ISO/IEC Guide 61 and the Federal 

Communications Commission (FCC) requirements for its TCB program. Every two years 

ANSI’s accreditation program is subject to re-evaluation by NIST. 

ANSI evaluates prospective TCBs for compliance with ISO/IEC Guide 65 and FCC 

requirements for the TCB program. FCC requires that a TCB must have core testing 

capability and that the testing laboratory must be accredited to ISO/IEC Standard 17025. 

NIST recommends accredited organizations to FCC for designation as TCBs. 

The FCC has recognized a total of 31 certification bodies under the TCB program. 17 are 

located in the United States and 13 are located outside of the United States. 

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

N/A
151

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

N/A

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; No

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; C

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; No

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 0
152

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States 

Government charged with enforcing competition and consumer protection laws. The 

Commission's only contact with voluntary consensus standards and the organizations that 

produce them is in connection with the enforcement of the Federal Trade Commission 

Act, which prohibits unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts and 

practices affecting commerce. The Commission does not promulgate its own standards or 

engage in other standards activities pertinent to OMB Circular A-119. 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 0

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 0

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: See response to Question 1.

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 0

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 0

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

See response to Question 1.

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:
153

See response to Question 1.

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

N/A

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; C

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia;

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; E

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; No

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 0
154

General Services Administration (GSA)

Title: General Services Administration (GSA) Fiscal Year 2008 Agency Report

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

Standards play a significant role in the Federal Supply program. They are used to 

establish baselines for product quality, performance and features; allow competitive 

procurement of functionally equivalent products and; when necessary ensure 

interchangeability of products produced under different contracts and across different 

contract periods. The most signification aspect of our use of standards is to ensure the 

safety and durability of the products purchased for government use. 

GSA maintains a standards website, http://www.gsa.gov Home>About 

GSA>Reference>Supply Standards 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 3

1. Government Unique Standard: Federal Specification KKK-A-1822E - Federal 

Specification for Ambulances (Incorporated: 2003) 

Voluntary Standard 

ASTM F2020 - Standard Practice for Design, Construction, and Procurement of 

Emergency Medical Services Ambulances 

Rationale 

The ASTM Standard Practice for Design, Construction, and Procurement of 

Emergency Medical Services (EMSS) Ambulances (ASTM F2020) is not 

practical for use, and therefore GSA uses the Federal Specification for 

Ambulances (KKK-A-1822E). GSA has determined the ASTM document is not 

practical for use for the following reasons: 

1) GSA has determined that ASTM F2020 contains specific practices that are 

technically and economically impractical to use for the acquisition of commercial 

based vehicles because the document is financially burdensome and technically 

ineffective. Specifically at issue is the ASTM Standard Specification for Medical 

Oxygen Delivery Systems for EMS Ground Vehicles, F1949-99 which is 

inclusive to ASTM F2020. 

2) GSA has determined that ASTM F2020 is impractical because it is defined as a 

standard practice which is ambiguous and an ineffective substitution for 

specifications or requirements for use in GSA contract documents. ASTM F1949-

99, a Standard Specification for Medical Oxygen Delivery Systems for EMS 

Ground Vehicles is included in ASTM F2020. ASTM F1949-99 is defined as a 

“standard specification”. 

3) GSA has determined that ASTM F2020 is impractical because ASTM 
155

International does not provide interpretations and written guidance to their 

publications which is inadequate and less useful. ASTM members may only offer 

personal opinions. ASTM offers no mechanism to support timely resolution of 

conflicts between contractor and procurement organizations on technical subject 

matter. GSA provides interpretations, clarifications and engineering 

determinations when required. This is one of the most important concerns 

presented by the Ambulance Manufacturers Division (AMD). 

4) The AMD has determined through consensus that it is impractical to replace 

the Federal Specification for Ambulances, KKK-A-1822E with the ASTM 

Standard Practice, F2020. GSA initiated a survey to collect public responses from 

a wide range of constituent users of the Federal Ambulance Specification. The 

National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), the 

International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Association of State 

EMS Directors (NASEMSD) and the National Association of EMS Physicians 

universally accept and support the continued use of the Federal Specification. The 

AMD and constituent users have determined that it is impractical to replace the 

Federal Specification for Ambulances, KKK-A-1822E with the ASTM Standard 

Practice, F2020 because rule promulgation is burdensome and costly. Staff and 

administration resources would need to be diverted in each state EMS office to 

implement the change in statutes, public health codes, rules and regulations. 

5) GSA has determined that ASTM F2020 is impractical because it is burdensome 

to GSA procurement efforts. While the current ASTM document recites many of 

the requirements from the Federal Specification, a future ASTM document would 

likely have diverging requirements unacceptable to the Government. This was 

verified by a member of the ASTM F2020 subcommittee at the September 4, 

2003 meeting of the Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical 

Services. 

2. Government Unique Standard: FF-L-2937 (Incorporated: 2006) 

Voluntary Standard 

UL 768 

Rationale 

Federal Specification FF-L-2937 – Combination Lock, Mechanical used in lieu of 

UL 768 Combination Locks. The lock covered by the GUS is used for the 

protection of classified information and weapons. The UL specification did not 

meet identified government needs for dialing tolerance and bolt end pressure. 

3. Government Unique Standard: MIL-G-9954 - Glass Beads for Cleaning and 

Peening (Incorporated: 2000) 

Voluntary Standard 

SAE/AMS 2431 - Peening Media, General Requirements 

Rationale 

This government-unique standard contains specific size & performance required 

for Air Force critical applications that are not present in the voluntary standards. 
156

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted 

for Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under 

Section 15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the 

total number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector 

your agency began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your 

agency's rationale for using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in 

the private sector counted in this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 0

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: 

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 26

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

Ambulance Manufacturers Division AMD

American Gas Association AGA

American National Standards Institute ANSI

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning 

Engineers ASHRAE

American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME

ASTM International ASTM

Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association BHMA

Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association GAMA

Institute of Packaging Professionals IOPP

International Safe Transit Association ISTA

Material Handling Equipment Industry Association MHIA

National Fire Protection Association NFPA

National Institute of Packaging, Handling Engineers NIPHLE

National Truck Equipment Assocation NTEA

Network Address Space Working Group IPv6

NSF International NSF

Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards OASIS

Performance Review Institute PRI

Qualified Products Management Council QPMC

Society of Automotive Engineers SAE

Technical Association for the WorldwIde, Pulp Paper and Converting 

Industry TAPPI

The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association BIFMA

The Maintenance Council of American Trucking Associations TMC/ATA
157

The Society for Protective Coatings SSPC

Underwriters Laboratories UL

United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business UN/CEFACT

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 23

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

A variety of conformity assessment activities were used including direct inspection and 

testing, supplier and third party testing, and product qualification and listing. In addition 

GSA representatives in the GSA Automotive Center were actively engaged in performing 

technical reviews of new offers, participating in post award meetings, hosting in-process 

validation reviews, participating in on-site first article inspections at manufacturer’s 

plants and managing GSA’s quality defect reporting program. 

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

The policy contained in OMB Circular A-119 provides the guidelines and incentive to 

partner with Industry in specifying material performance. The use of VCS is efficient and 

promotes a universal approach to the control of industrial product performance. 

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

No comment

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; No

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; C

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; Yes

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 1
158

Government Printing Office (GPO)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

Standards are very important in our (1) print procurement / material acquisitions 

programs and (2) secure document manufacturing. When dealing with vendors, standards 

provide a level playing field for them when bidding on GPO requirements. We use 

standards to inform potential bidders & offeror our minimum quality requirements. The 

use of standards has also ensure consistency in our manufacturing process and the ability 

to maintain the highest quality in the production of documents. 

http://www.gpo.gov/acquisition/paperspecs_vol12.htm 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 0

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 0

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: 

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 0

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 10

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

n/a
159

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

None suggested

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

During the past fiscal year, "standards" have become an important aspect of the Agency's 

day-to-day activities. A Quality Assurance office has been active in overseeing the effort 

to establish internal procedures to document "standard operating procedures." There has 

been other visible efforts to involve the entire workforce in the development of process 

standards, becoming familiar with 5S and ISO 9000 certification.

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

10.6 - It is expected that there will be an Agency schedule for reviewing standards for 

internal use 

10.7 - This had been the policy for the laboratory unit that develops specification 

standards for use in procurement documents 

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; C

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; E

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; No

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 5
160

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

(a) NASA’s science and technology based mission requires timely technical standards. 

They provide the basis for defining engineering, safety, and mission assurance 

requirements that are levied on both contracted activities as well as agency in-house 

developments. Standards are also used by programs for evaluating proposed approaches 

and assessing performance throughout system life cycles. The NASA Technical 

Standards Program supports the NASA Mission and serves all NASA’s Programs, 

Projects, and Facilities. 

(b) The Technical Standards Program's Website accessible at http://standards.nasa.gov

provides direct access to NASA-developed standards, other government-developed 

standards, and to non-government Standards Development Organizations' (SDO) 

Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCSs). 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008:

This agency reports voluntary consensus standards usage on a category basis

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 179

Other Technical Standards: 57

Rationale: NASA Reports VCS Usage on a Categorical Basis. Specifically, NASA 

provides access to technical standards from all relevant sources but, as a “procurement 

agency”, does not monitor or control VCS standards used on individual procurements and 

programs. NASA does maintain a list of VCS “Preferred Technical Standards” (currently 

~180) based on user recommendations as an aid to selection for users. Use of other 

standards – from all sources – is determined by users based on needs. NASA does 

maintain a set of NASA Technical standards (~60) to meet technical requirements not 

available in VCS, to provide implementation requirements for internal use, and to 

document lessons learned
161

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 21

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

Aerospace Industries Association of America AIA

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics AIAA

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers ASABE

American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME

American Welding Society AWS

ASTM International ASTM

Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems CCSDS

Electrostatic Discharge Association ESDA

Government Electronics & Information Technology Association GEITA

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers IEEE

Institute of Environmental Sciences & Technology IEST

International Astronomical Union IAU

International Organization for Standardization ISO

IPC - Association Connecting Electronics Industries IPC

National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Association NADCAP

National Association of Corrosion Engineers International NACE

National Defense Industrial Association NDIA

National Fire Protection Association NFPA

NCSLI International NCSLI

Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards OASIS

Society of Automotive Engineers SAE

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 98

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

NASA's Office of Safety and Mission Assurance remains involved in various conformity 

assessment activities. Most notable are the audits, assessments, and reviews processes 

according to NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR) 8705.6, Safety and Mission 

Assurance Audits, Assessments, and Reviews. Conformity assessments of NASA 

contractors are based on requirements of NASA Policy Directive (NPD) 8730.5 and the 

NASA Quality Policy. These audits and reviews evaluate, among other items, compliance 

with both NASA-STDs and NASA mandated VCS. In addition, some of the activities 

supported by the OSMA and the Office of Chief Engineer participate with conformity 

assessment activities such as NASCAP. Conformity assessments activities involved 

included ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001:204, AS0100, and OSHA VPP Star.
162

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

OMB Circular A-119 and the preference for use of VCS are directly cited in policy 

(NASA Policy Directive (NPR) 8076) which requires consideration of VCS alternatives 

before a NASA Technical Standard is developed or re-certified. OMB Circular A-119 

directives also provides a basis for increasing NASA attention to VCS and has helped to 

maintain an effective level of participation of NASA personnel in VCS activities.

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

None at this time.

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; Yes

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; C

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; Yes

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 5
163

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

NARA uses standards to strengthen its records management and archival programs. We 

cite standards, which are incorporated by reference, in our regulations (Code of Federal 

Regulations). These provide direction to agencies about the records management and 

archival standards applicable to storage facilities, as well as for record media. 

Information about incorporation by reference is among our Federal Register web pages at 

http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html . 

For example, NARA uses ISO 15489 as a framework for Federal records management 

training. ISO 15489 provides a systematic strategy for capturing and maintaining records, 

regardless of media or format. The standard also defines characteristics needed to support 

a trustworthy recordkeeping system. 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 1

1. Government Unique Standard: NARA data standard (Incorporated: 2000) 

Voluntary Standard 

Archives, Personal Papers, and Manuscripts (APPM); 

General International Standard Archival Description (ISAD(G)); 

International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons, 

and Families (ISAAR(CPF)); 

Encoded Archival Description (EAD); 

Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) 

Rationale 

These voluntary standards do not meet the precise needs of the agency. 

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 1

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: The standard was incorporated by reference into our final rule relating to 

Presidential Library facilities, which went into effect in 2008. These new regulations 

appear at 36 CFR Part 1281.
164

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 14

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

American National Standards Institute ANSI

ARMA International ARMAI

ASTM International ASTM

Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems CCSDS

Enterprise Content Management Association AIIM

Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers IEEE

International Council on Archives ICA

International Organization for Standardization ISO

National Fire Protection Association NFPA

National Information Standards Organization NISO

Nuclear Information and Records Management Association, Inc. NIRMAI

Object Management Group OMG

Product Data Exchange Standard, Inc. PDES

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 19

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

NARA did not participate in any conformity assessment activities in FY 2008.

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

We believe that the Circular is working effectively and have no recommendations for 

changes.

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

Rationale for the use of GUS (question 2), some of the voluntary standards: 

-Are library standards not suitable for NARA's use instead of archival standards; 

-Dictate a physical design solution that NARA does not find technically sound; and, 

-Focus on personal papers collections, not government records. 

NARA's archival description standard is one that NARA uses to describe its own 

holdings and is not a standard imposed externally. 

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:
165

Additional response for question 10.7: We review our use of standards on a rotating basis 

as we review our regulations that include IBRs.

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; No

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; A

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; Yes

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 5
166

National Science Foundation (NSF)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

Created more than 50 years ago, the National Science Foundation supports basic reseach 

and science and engineering education at the frontiers of discovery across all fields of 

science and engineering. Grant awards are selected based on peer review of proposals 

submitted by the science and education community. 

Standards are important for NSF's operation. The agency's participation in standardsrelated tasks is promulgated through its professional staff, mainly through professional 

activities that also relate to staff's official duties. About 30% of NSF staff are experts on 

1-3 year rotational assignment to NSF from their home institutions that include 

government agencies, academic institutions and industry. As the profile of NSF staff 

members change because of staff changes, so does the profile of NSF participation in 

standards-related activities. 

As staff members of a U.S. Government agency, NSF program staff are responsive to 

customer feedback, and their work is often informed by the latest development in and 

recommendation from standards-related professional bodies such as the American 

Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). These recommendations are, strictly 

speaking, not standards, but they are beneficial to the mission of the NSF by ensuring that 

the construction and operation of NSF funded facilities and equipment conform to 

accepted standards. 

In this report, we detail the profile of the standards-related activities of NSF in 2008. 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 0

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 0

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: 
167

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 2

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

ASTM International ASTM

International Telecommunication Union ITU

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 3

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

None.

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

We consider Circular A-119 policy to be effective. No change is recommended.

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

No comments.

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

We report strictly through NTTAA.

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; C

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; E

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; No

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 0
168

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

1. Please describe the importance of standards in the achievement of your agency's 

mission, how your agency uses standards to deliver its primary services in support of its 

mission, and provide any examples or case studies of standards success. Please include 

relevant Internet links and links to your agency's standards website.

Under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the NRC has authority to promulgate 

regulations governing both nuclear materials and production and utilization facilities. In 

many cases, the NRC has developed and promulgated such regulations. However, in 

other areas, the NRC has incorporated by reference into NRC regulations several 

voluntary consensus standards. The NRC’s reasons for incorporation by reference include 

(but are not limited to) providing the level of regulatory certainty and predictability 

desired by stakeholders, recognizing and considering the broad range of technical 

expertise and experience of the individuals who are represented on many consensus 

standards organizations, and minimizing the expenditure of NRC resources that would 

otherwise be necessary to develop regulations which provide the level of detail 

comparable to that provided by consensus standards. NRC staff members participate on 

many standards development committees to provide staff input and to help assure that 

published standards can be endorsed in the regulatory process. The NRC staff also issues 

documents providing guidance on acceptable methods for complying with NRC 

regulations, such as regulatory guides. These guidance documents frequently reference 

consensus standards as acceptable methods for compliance with NRC regulations. More 

information is available in SECY-08-0140, “Development and Regulatory Application of 

Consensus Standards by U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Staff.” The NRC website 

on standards development, which is currently being revised, is at: 

http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/standards-dev.html. 

An example of successful implementation of a consensus standard is the endorsement of 

the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard, NFPA 805, “PerformanceBased Standard for Fire Protection for Light-Water Reactor Electric Generating Plants.” 

Title 10, Section 50.48(c), of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 50.48(c)), which 

the Commission adopted in 2004, incorporates the 2001 edition of NFPA 805 by 

reference, with certain exceptions, and allows licensees voluntarily to adopt and maintain 

a fire protection program that meets the requirements of NFPA 805 as an alternative to 

meeting the requirements of 10 CFR 50.48(b) or the plant-specific fire protection license 

conditions. The standard is applied to demonstrate that a proposed licensing basis change, 

“would not adversely affect the ability to achieve and maintain safe shutdown in the 

event of a fire.” Additional guidance is provided in NRC Regulatory Guide 1.205, “RiskInformed, Performance-Based Fire Protection for Existing Light-Water Nuclear Power 

Plants.” 

The prescriptive NRC regulations governing fire protection programs have been subject 

to different interpretations and have been difficult to enforce in a clear, consistent way. 

The revised rule allows plants to establish well-defined fire protection licensing bases and 

to manage their fire protection programs with minimal regulatory intervention. More than 
169

40 power plants in the U.S. are actively transitioning their current fire protection 

programs to ones based on NFPA 805. The NRC staff has conducted visits to pilot plants, 

as well as numerous public meetings to assist plants in the transition. As a result of the 

need for fire-related probabilistic risk assessment (PRA), there is increased interest in a 

joint PRA standard published by the American Nuclear Society (ANS) and the American 

Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). 

2. Please list the government-unique standards your agency used in lieu of voluntary 

consensus standards during FY 2008: 0

3. Please list the Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS) your agency substituted for 

Government Unique Standards (GUS) in FY 2008 as a result of review under Section 

15(b)(7) of OMB Circular A-119: 0

4. Please provide the total number of Voluntary Consensus Standards your agency 

BEGAN to use during FY 2008: Optional: If possible, also please provide the total 

number of Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector your agency 

began to use during FY 2008. In addition, please provide your agency's rationale for 

using the Non-consensus Standards that are developed in the private sector counted in 

this question.

Voluntary Consensus Standards: 6

Other Technical Standards: 0

Rationale: VCSs Used in Regulation: A final rule was published in the Federal Register [ 

73 FR 52730] on September 8, 2008, incorporating Section III and Section XI of the 

2004 Edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and 

Pressure Vessel Code into Title 10, Part 50.55a, of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 

CFR 50.55a). VCSs Used in Regulatory Guidance: IEEE Standard 650-2006, “IEEE 

Standard for Qualification of Class 1E Static Battery Chargers and Inverters for Nuclear 

Power Generating Stations,” endorsed in RG 1.210, "Qualification of Safety-Related 

Battery Chargers and Inverters for Nuclear Power Plants," in July, 2008. American 

National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards cited in NUREG-1556, Volume 21, 

“Consolidated Guidance About Material Licenses: Program-Specific Guidance About 

Possession Licenses for Production of Radioactive Material Using an Accelerator,” 

October, 2007: ANSI N13.30-1996, “Performance Criteria for Radiobioassay” ANSI 

N323a-1997, “Radiation Protection Instrumentation Test and Calibration” ANSI N13.1-

1999, “Guide to Sampling Airborne Radioactive Materials in Nuclear Facilities” ANSI 

N42.18-2004, “Specification and Performance of On-Site Instrumentation for 

Continuously Monitoring Radioactivity in Effluents”

5. Please enter the Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB) in which your agency 

participated in during FY 2008: 15

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

American Concrete Institute ACI

American Institute of Steel Construction AISC

American National Standards Institute ANSI
170

American Nuclear Society ANS

American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE

American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME

American Welding Society AWS

ASTM International ASTM

Health Physics Society HPS

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers IEEE

Institute of Nuclear Materials Management INMM

Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society ISA

International Organization for Standardization/International 

Electrotechnical Commission ISO/IEC

National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements NCRP

National Fire Protection Association NFPA

6. Please provide the total number of your agency's representatives who participated in 

voluntary consensus standards activities during FY 2008 and the total number of 

activities these agency representatives participated in: 172

7. Please provide any conformity assessment activities (as described in “Guidance on 

Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the Federal Register, Volume 65, 

Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency was involved in FY 2008. 

None

8. Please provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of Circular A-119 policy and 

recommendations for any changes:

The NRC believes that the Circular provides appropriate direction and encouragement for 

federal agencies to develop internal agency-wide guidelines. The circular also provides 

sufficient and reasonable flexibility for each agency to make an independent 

determination relative to participation on voluntary consensus bodies and use of 

developed standards.

9. Please provide any other comments you would like to share on behalf of your agency.

No Comment

10. Please use this box to provide any additional comments on how your agency currently 

reports its use of voluntary consensus standards:

10.6, 10.7 - Our agency reviews and updates its use of standards on a continuing basis.

10-1. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-2. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]

10-3. Removed [This question was deprecated in 2005]
171

10-4. Does your agency report standards that it uses for guidance purposes (as opposed to 

compliance purposes)? (a) Yes; (b) No; (c) Not applicable; Yes

10-5. Does your agency report use of standards from non-ANSI accredited standards 

developers, industry consortia groups, or both? (a) non-ANSI Accredited; (b) Consortia; 

(c) Both; (d) Neither; or (e) Not applicable; D

10-6. Does your agency have a schedule for periodically reviewing its use of standards 

for purposes of updating such use? (a) Yes; (b) No; No

10-7. How often does your agency review its standards for purposes of updating such 

use? [enter the number of years]: 0
172

Appendix F – Federal Agency Activities Related to Conformity Assessment 

FY 2008 Responses to Question 7: Please provide any conformity assessment activities 

(as described in “Guidance on Federal Conformity Assessment Activities” found in the 

Federal Register, Volume 65, Number 155, dated August 10, 2000) in which your agency 

was involved in FY 2008.

Agency Response

ACCESS n/a

CPSC On August 14, 2008, the President signed into law the Consumer Product 

Safety Improvement Act of 2008, hereinafter refered to as the Act. Among 

other things, this Act sets forth requirements for general conformity 

certification and third party testing for children's products subject to consumer 

product safety rules under the ACT or similar rules, bans, standards, or 

regulations under any other Act enforced by the Commission. A copy of the 

Act and related information on CPSC conformity assessment activities is 

shown on CPSC's website at www.cpsc.gov under "Information on the 

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act".

DHS Participation in NVLAP Conformity Assessment Working group pursuant to 

Title 15 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Sec 287.4

DOC National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) 

The National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) provides 

third-party accreditation to testing and calibration laboratories. NVLAP's 

accreditation programs are established in response to legislative or 

administrative actions by the Federal Government or to requests from 

government agencies and private-sector organizations. NVLAP operates its 

accreditation system in accordance with the international conformity 

assessment standard ISO/IEC 17011, Conformity assessment – General 

requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment 

bodies, which is published by the International Organization for 

Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission 

(IEC). NVLAP accredits laboratories that are found competent to perform 

specific test or calibrations through a rigorous assessment against the 

requirements of ISO/IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of 

testing and calibration laboratories. Information about the current status of 

accredited laboratories is published in NVLAP Directory of Accredited 

Laboratories, which is published online and updated monthly at . 

NVLAP is a signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation 

Cooperation (ILAC) and the Asia-Pacific Laboratory Accreditation 

Cooperation (APLAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangements, and has applied for 

signatory status in the InterAmerican Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) 

(MRA). In 2008 NVLAP successfully underwent a full evaluation by these 

cooperations for the purposes of reconfirming conformity for the continuation 
173

of signatory status in the ILAC and APLAC MRAs and for the application for 

signatory status in the IAAC MRA. By participating in these cooperations, 

NVLAP facilitates the mutual recognition of accredited test and measurement 

results of its signatory partners, thereby reducing the need for redundant 

testing and lowering costs to customers. 

NVLAP Certificate of Accreditation 

When NVLAP grants initial or continuing accreditation to a laboratory, it 

issues a Certificate of Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2005, which includes 

the following statement to convey that an accredited laboratory management 

system meets the principles of ISO 9001:2000, Quality management system –

requirements. 

"This laboratory is accredited in accordance with the recognized International 

Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005. This accreditation demonstrates technical 

competence for a defined scope and the operation of a laboratory quality 

management system (refer joint ISO-ILAC-IAF Communique dated 18 June 

2005)" 

NVLAP-accredited laboratories may use the above statement on their test 

reports and calibration certificates if they supply, or provide access to via a 

website, the Joint ISO-ILAC-IAF Communique as part of the package for their 

laboratory customers. 

The Joint ISO-ILAC-IAF Communique was issued to counter a perception that 

accredited laboratories do not operate a recognized quality management 

system. Many accredited laboratories have had difficulty convincing their 

customers that they should be asking laboratories to be accredited to ISO/IEC 

17025 rather than be certified (or registered) to ISO 9001. The situation 

became more acute with the publication of ISO 9001:2000, as some customers 

continually asked laboratories to be certified, when they really meant 

accredited. It is anticipated that the use of the above statement by both 

accreditation bodies and accredited laboratories will help to address the market 

issues caused by the confusion between these two terms. 

New Accreditation Programs 

Biometrics Testing 

In 2007 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security requested the 

establishment of the Biometrics Testing laboratory accreditation program by 

the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) to 

accredit laboratories that perform conformance testing, interoperability testing, 

technology testing, scenario testing, and operational and usability testing for 

biometrics products (systems and subsystems) as defined in nationally and 
174

internationally recognized biometrics products testing standards of biometric 

systems and subsystems. In February 2008 NIST published a notice in the 

Federal Register requesting comments on the proposed establishment of a 

Biometrics Testing program, and in July 2008 NVLAP held a public workshop 

to solicit further comments on the program’s establishment and on the 

technical requirements to be associated with the program. In November 2008 

NIST published a Federal Register notice to announce the establishment of the 

program and the availability of applications for accreditation of laboratories 

that perform biometric testing. 

Personal Body Armor 

In 2008 NVLAP accredited seven laboratories under the Personal Body Armor

laboratory accreditation program. This program was established in 2007 in 

response to a request from the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DoJ), National 

Institute of Justice (NIJ) for a program to accredit laboratories that test body 

armor for the DoJ law enforcement certification program. The new 

laboratories are accredited for NIJ Standard 0101.06, Ballistic Resistance of 

Body Armor, July 2008, Sections 5, 6, and/or 7. Laboratory test results will be 

used for the purposes of preparing NIJ's Personal Body Armor Consumer 

Product List. 

Expansion of NVLAP Accreditation Programs 

Cryptographic and Security Testing 

The Cryptographic and Security Testing laboratory accreditation program, 

formerly named Cryptographic Module Testing, was established by NVLAP to 

accredit laboratories that perform cryptographic algorithms and cryptographic 

module validation conformance testing. As the laboratory assessment program 

(LAP) expanded in 2006 and 2007 and offered additional security scopes of 

accreditation, the name was changed to Cryptographic and Security Testing 

(CST). 

In 2007 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) asked NIST to initiate a 

new program for validating the implementation of the Security Content 

Automation Protocol (SCAP) standards within security software modules. To 

meet this need, NVLAP announced the addition of the SCAP test suite to its 

CST LAP in early 2008. The new test suite is composed of six open standards 

and enables automated vulnerability management, measurement, and policy 

compliance evaluation; enumerates vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, 

platforms, and impact; and provides machine-readable security configuration 

checklists. The SCAP test methods were developed by NIST’s Information 

Technology Laboratory for use in such applications as checking the Federal 

Desktop Core Configuration (FDCC) settings and feeding information into the 

National Vulnerability Database. 
175

Solid State Lighting 

As part of the ENERGY STAR® program for solid state lighting (SSL), the 

U.S. Department of Energy requested NVLAP to expand the Energy Efficient 

Lighting Products (EEL) laboratory accreditation program to include specific 

test methods used in testing certain types of solid state lighting products and 

LED sources. The purpose of this addition of test methods is to accredit testing 

laboratories to ensure that standard test procedures are followed to measure 

electrical, photometric, colorimetric, and lumen maintenance characteristics of 

solid state lighting products and LED sources. In 2008 NVLAP developed the 

draft requirements document for SSL laboratories, NIST Handbook 150-1A, 

and accreditation is expected to be offered in early 2009. Additional 

information about the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program 

may be found on its home page: 

http://ts.nist.gov/standards/accreditation/index.cfm. 

National Voluntary Conformity Assessment System Evaluation (NVCASE) 

Program 

The National Voluntary Conformity Assessment System Evaluation 

(NVCASE) Program enables U.S. industry to satisfy mandated foreign

technical requirements using the results of U.S.-based conformity assessment 

programs that perform technical evaluations comparable in their rigor to 

practices in the receiving country. Under this program, the Department of 

Commerce, acting through the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 

evaluates U.S.-based conformity assessment bodies in order to be able to give 

assurances to a foreign government that qualifying bodies meet that 

government's requirements and can provide results that are acceptable to that 

government. The program provides a technically-based U.S. approval process 

for U.S. industry to gain foreign market access; the acceptability of conformity 

assessment results to the relevant foreign government will be a matter for 

agreement between the two governments. Additional information about the 

NVCASE Program can be found at 

http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/Global/nvcase.cfm. 

Conformity Assessment Activities under Mutual Recognition 

Agreements/Arrangement (MRAs) 

The United States and the European Community Mutual Recognition 

Agreement (US - EU MRA) is a multi-sector bilateral government-togovernment agreement between the United States and the 25 Member States of 

the European Union. Under this MRA, NIST is responsible for designating 

organizations in the US Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) for three 

product sectors: 1) Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), 2) 

Telecommunications, and 3) Recreational Craft. After a lengthy review 
176

process, CABs that meet certain criteria are formally recognized and may 

operate as a CAB as described in the U.S. - EU MRA and the specific 

technical regulations of the EU governing the appropriate product sectors. The 

U.S.-EU MRA is an important regulatory and trade agreement which provides 

greater market access in a timelier manner for U.S. manufacturers exporting to 

Europe and European manufacturers exporting to the United States. Further 

information can be obtained at http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/Global/mra.cfm. 

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Mutual Recognition 

Arrangement for Conformity Assessment of Telecommunications Equipment 

is intended to streamline the Conformity Assessment Procedures for a wide 

range of telecommunications and telecommunications-related equipment and 

thereby to facilitate trade among the parties. It provides for the mutual 

recognition by the importing parties of CABs and mutual acceptance of the 

results of testing and equipment certification procedures undertaken by those 

bodies in assessing conformity of equipment to the importing parties’ own 

technical regulations. 

Under Phase-I of the APEC Mutual Recognition Arrangement, NISTdesignated CABs are able to produce test data in their facilities that are 

accepted as evidence that the tested product satisfies an APEC economy's 

appropriate technical requirements. CABs operating under Phase-II of the 

MRA are able to approve products as being in compliance with the technical 

and administrative requirements of the importing economy. The general and 

specific requirements that must be met in order to be nominated as a CAB 

under the APEC Tel MRA, as well as the text of the MRA, can be found at 

http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/Global/mra.cfm. 

The Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) Mutual 

Recognition Agreement is almost identical to the APEC Tel MRA in purpose 

and structure. The goal of the CITEL MRA is to facilitate trade among the 34 

Member States of the Organization of American States. The conformity 

assessment activities under this Agreement have yet to become operational. 

When operational, NIST will serve as the Designating Authority of U.S. 

CABs. In the meantime, NIST continues to work towards implementation of 

the Agreement. More information on the CITEL Agreement can be found on 

http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/Global/mra.cfm. 

NIST Committee Participation in Conformity Assessment Standards 

Development and Activities 

NIST's Standards Services Division (NIST/SSD) participates in the American 

National Standards Institute's (ANSI) International Conformity Assessment 

Committee (ICAC). This committee serves as the U.S. Technical Advisory 

Group (TAG) to ISO's Council Committee on Conformity Assessment 

(CASCO). SSD staff is also active on CASCO' ad hoc Regulators Interface 
177

Group. 

NIST/SSD is a member of ANSI's Conformity Assessment Policy Committee 

(CAPC), which is the primary focal point for developing, coordinating, and 

maintaining ANSI's policies and accreditation activities. The committee makes 

policy recommendations to the ANSI Board related to conformity assessment 

and provides oversight for ANSI's conformity assessment programs. 

In the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) area, NIST/SSD 

personnel serve on the U.S. National Committee to the IECEE (IEC System 

for Conformity Testing and Certification of Electrical Equipment). The latter 

is a worldwide scheme that allows manufacturers to obtain a test certificate 

from an approved U.S. National Certification Body (NCB) and to use that test 

report to obtain certification marks in other participating countries. 

Additionally, NIST provides technical support to the Standards Related 

Measures (SRM) Committee under the North American Free Trade Agreement 

(NAFTA). The SRM Committee serves as a forum for the resolution of 

standards and conformity assessment issues that impact trade among the three 

NAFTA partners. NIST also provides technical support for the InterAmerican 

Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC). Such arrangements/agreements are 

designed to harmonize conformity assessment practices and promote the 

global acceptance of conformity assessment results from qualified bodies to 

minimize the need for and cost of redundant conformity assessments. 

Coordination of Conformity Assessment Activities 

Under the NTTAA, NIST is responsible for coordinating conformity 

assessment activities with private sector technical standards activities and 

conformity assessment activities, with the goal of eliminating unnecessary 

duplication and complexity. Current NIST activities in this area include: 

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Conformity Assessment Activities 

- NIST’s Technology Services is working with the Department of Homeland 

Security Standards Executive to develop the DHS Science and Technology 

standards and conformity assessment infrastructure as well as requirements,

standards, testing protocols, and conformity assessment methods. 

• Radiation Detectors - NIST’s Technology Services, in cooperation with 

NIST’s Radiation Physics Division assistingwith the implementation of a 

conformity assessment program for radiation detectors for DHS’s Domestic 

Nuclear Detection Office including accreditation for testing laboratories whose 

testing will support the Graduated Rad/Nuc Detector Evaluation and Reporting 

(GRaDER) program. See 

http://www.dhs.gov/xres/programs/gc_1218637329931.shtm for additional 

information. 
178

• PS-Prep, Business Continuity and Preparedness Management – NIST 

Technology Services is working with the Federal Emergency Management 

Agency (FEMA) to implement a private sector certification program for 

organizations to demonstrate their compliance with the requirements of 

adopted standards. This program is being developed under the authority of the 

Implementing the 9/11 Commissions Recommendations Act of 2007. See 

http://www.fema.gov/business/certification/index.htm for additional 

information. 

• National Institute of Justice Body Armor - NIST’s Technology Services, in 

cooperation with NIST’s Office of Law Enforcement Standards (OLES), the 

Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ), and the National 

Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) developed 

and implemented a significant enhancement to the current body armor 

certification program and including a revised NIJ performance standard for the 

safety of law enforcement officers. NVLAP, at the request of NIJ, has 

implemented a laboratory accreditation program to accredit body armor testing 

laboratories. Several laboratories have been accredited to test body armor. 

• Interoperable Public Safety Communications Equipment - NIST’s 

Technology Services, in cooperation with TIA Project 25, the NIST OLES, the 

Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, and DHS Project SAFECOM 

established the P25 Compliance Assessment Program (P25 CAP) to assist 

emergency communications officials in procurement and deployment of public 

safety land mobile radios. The P25 CAP is a conformity assessment program 

based on recognition of testing competence, standardized test report forms, and 

a supplier’s declaration of conformity. DHS grant guidance requires the P25 

CAP. NIST published NIST Handbook 153 - Laboratory Recognition Process 

for Project 25 - Compliance Assessment which defines the test laboratory 

requirements for developing data to support the manufacturer’s declarations of 

conformity. 

• NIST's Technology Services is working with NIST Radiation Physics to 

develop a series of IEEE Standards for the performance of non-intrusive 

inspection equipment. The Standard for the Performance and Evaluation of 

Checkpoint Cabinet X-Ray Imaging Security-Screening Systems and the 

Standard for Performance of Cargo X-Ray Systems are published and a 

standard for body imagers and Computerized Tomographic checked baggage 

screening equipment are in development. 

• Toy Safety Initiative - NIST’s Technology Services is providing technical 

assistance to the Consumer Product Safety Commission in their 

implementations of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 

and to the private sector in the development of model certification programs to 

address toy safety issues. Both intend to use the international system for 
179

accreditation of test laboratories. 

• Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Project on Greener Cleanups –

NIST’s Technology Services is providing assistance to EPA to develop a 

standard and certification program for Brownfield remediation (clean ups) . 

• EPA WaterSense Project – NIST’s Technology Services assisted EPA staff 

in the implementation of its WaterSense program that is now available for 

toilets and faucets. Watersense certified products are now a significant share of 

the marketplace. 

• DoD Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (DoD ELAP) –

NIST’s Technology Service’s staff provided assistance to the DoD 

Environmental Data Quality Workgroup (EDQW) to create a DoD wide 

program to accredit laboratories that perform testing in support of DoD. 

Finally, NIST/SSD has published a number of directories and reports on 

conformity assessment-related issues. NIST/SSD also maintains a Web site 

(http://ts.nist.gov) that provides a one-stop-shopping source for information on 

various conformity assessment issues.

DoD The Department does not collect conformity assessment activity information.

DOE The Department of Energy does not track conformity assessment activities.

DOI The Minerals Management Service of DOI is a member of the Federal 

Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) with 

representation on the Standards Working Group, the Coordinating Committee, 

the Steering Committee, the Marine Boundary Working Group, and ad hoc 

subcommittees developing standards for geospatial data. 

Bureau of Reclamation: The ISO 14001 standard requires that organizations 

conduct third- party conformance audits to determine conformance with the 

ISO Standard. Reclamation has adopted this requirement in a revised form and 

will conduct audits to determine conformance with both the Standard 

framework and the executive order. 

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA): BIA participated in the Federal Geospatial 

One-Stop and the Enterprise Geographic Information Management Committee. 

FWS: The FWS continues to implement key security standards and guidelines 

developed or approved by NIST to support the implementation of and 

compliance with the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) 

including: 

• Standards for categorizing information and information systems by mission 

impact. 

• Standards for minimum security requirements for information and 
180

information systems. 

• Standards for encrypting government data. 

• Standards for applying and enforcing secure configuration baselines. 

• Standards for secure remote access. 

• Guidance for mapping types of information and information systems to 

appropriate security categories. 

• Guidance for planning and conducting technical information security testing. 

• Guidance for assessing security controls in information systems and 

determining security control effectiveness. 

• Guidance for certifying and accrediting information systems. 

The FWS is currently using secure configuration benchmarks developed by the 

Center for Internet Security (CIS), a non-profit organization whose mission is 

to help organizations reduce the risk of business and e-commerce disruptions 

resulting from inadequate technical security controls. These benchmarks have 

been deemed as "NIST" approved. 

Office of Surface Mining (OSM): The two geospatial Data Standards, the Coal 

Surface Mining Permit Boundary Standard (D7384-07, approved September 1, 

2007), and the Underground Coal Mine Extents Standard (D7443-08, 

approved April 1, 2008) will have voluntary consensus standards. 

The FGDC will also consider these ASTM standards for endorsement in 

FY2009.

DOJ N/A

DOL No comment at this time

DOS none

DOT Federal Railroad Administration (FRA): Under 15 CFR Part 287.4(i): FRA’s 

conformity assessment activities are visible internationally through expanded 

efforts in the area of safe, uniform international transport of hazardous 

materials by participation in the Canadian General Standards Board Tank Car 

Committee and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Transportation 

Pressure Vessel Committee, as well as continuing to participate in the North 

American Transport of Dangerous Goods Standard Working Group and the 

Association of American Railroads Tank Car Committee. 

Under 15 CFR Part 287.4(j): Participation in the voluntary consensus 

standards bodies listed above as well as in numerous committees and subcommittees of those bodies gives FRA access to the developmental stages of 

private sector conformity assessment standards to ensure that the agency 

viewpoint is considered in the development of these standards.

ED None

EPA EPA's Office of Water uses private-sector third party certifiers as part of its 
181

Water Sense Program. 

EPA participates in the governance of the ASQ-ANSI National Accreditation 

Board (ANAB) 

The Agency's Standards Executive serves on the American National 

Accreditation Board, ANAB, which overseas the accreditation processes and 

policies for third party bodies providing certification and registration services 

to ISO 9000 quality management standards and ISO 14001 environmental 

managmeent system standards. 

The Agency's Standards Executive also serves as an Officer of the Board for 

the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) that is one of the two 

partners in the ANAB, and is also the provider for Personnel Certification 

services as part of the Institutes portfolio directed by the Board. 

Agency personnel serve on the Environmental Management System and the 

Quality Management System Advisory Councils of Underwriter Laboratories, 

an internationally recognized standards and certification body. 

Agency personnel participate in the Environmental Auditing Roundtable 

(EAR) which reviews policies and procedures for auditing related to 

environmental applications. 

An Agency auditing expert serves on the ANSI International Conformity 

Assessment Committee, the International Accreditation Forum and works with 

the ISO Conformity Assessment Committee.

FCC Accredited Laboratory Recognition Program 

A2LA and NIST’s National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program 

(NVLAP) are approved accreditation bodies under the U.S. Federal 

Communications Commission (FCC) program that requires manufacturers and 

suppliers of personal computers, computer peripherals and other Radio 

Frequency (RF) devices who intend to use a “Declaration of Conformity” on 

their products to have the products tested by an accredited Electromagnetic 

Compatibility (EMC) testing laboratory. 

The FCC also recognizes accredited testing laboratories that have been 

accredited by A2LA and NVLAP to perform testing on products subject to the 

Commission’s equipment authorization program on products subject to 

certification under Part 15.. 

The accreditation of a laboratory located outside of the United States, or its 

possessions, is acceptable to the Commission if the accredited laboratory has 

been designated by a foreign designating authority and recognized by the 

Commission under the terms of a government-to-government Mutual 
182

Recognition Agreement/Arrangement (MRA); or if the testing laboratory has 

been recognized by the Commission as being accredited by an organization 

that has entered into an arrangement between accrediting organizations and the 

arrangement has been recognized by the Commission. 

The FCC has recognized a total of 252 accredited laboratories. 101 are located 

in the United States and 151 are located outside of the United States. 

Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCB) Program 

On December 17, 1998, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 

adopted rules for the establishment of Telecommunication Certification Bodies 

(TCB). A TCB is a private organization, which is authorized to issue grants, 

within its scope of designation, for equipment subject to the FCC’s 

certification procedure. Under these rules, a TCB has the authority to review 

and grant an application for certification to the FCC rules. This order also 

established procedures for foreign TCBs under the terms of a government-togovernment Mutual Recognition Agreement/Arrangement (MRA). Foreign 

TCBs, where recognized, certify equipment to U.S. requirements using test 

procedures and technical requirements under the FCC rules for purposes of 

U.S.-valid equipment authorization. There are two “phases” of mutual 

recognition. Phase I permits tests performed outside the U.S. to be used in 

support of equipment authorization of products subject to the FCC’s 

Declaration of Conformity (DoC) requirements; Phase II permits the 

certification of products subject to the FCC’s certification requirements by a 

TCB located outside of the U.S. 

In May 2000, NIST initially evaluated American National Standards Institute’s 

(ANSI) Conformity Assessment Program for compliance with ISO/IEC Guide 

61 and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirements for its 

TCB program. Every two years ANSI’s accreditation program is subject to reevaluation by NIST. 

ANSI evaluates prospective TCBs for compliance with ISO/IEC Guide 65 and 

FCC requirements for the TCB program. FCC requires that a TCB must have 

core testing capability and that the testing laboratory must be accredited to 

ISO/IEC Standard 17025. NIST recommends accredited organizations to FCC 

for designation as TCBs. 

The FCC has recognized a total of 31 certification bodies under the TCB 

program. 17 are located in the United States and 13 are located outside of the 

United States.

FTC See response to Question 1.

GPO n/a

GSA A variety of conformity assessment activities were used including direct 
183

inspection and testing, supplier and third party testing, and product 

qualification and listing. In addition GSA representatives in the GSA 

Automotive Center were actively engaged in performing technical reviews of 

new offers, participating in post award meetings, hosting in-process validation 

reviews, participating in on-site first article inspections at manufacturer’s 

plants and managing GSA’s quality defect reporting program

HHS Conformance activities are conducted under applicable regulations and 

guidance. Standards may become part of conformance activities as they may 

provide an acceptable approach to be in compliance with applicable laws and 

regulations. FDA laboratories, which conduct official product testing are in the 

process of becoming ISO/IEC 17025 accredited. The FDA has conducted staff 

training and is in the process of writing a Laboratory Quality Assurance 

Manual centrally documenting Center policies and procedures related to the 

official testing of regulated biological products. FDA is also implementing a 

quality management software tool to assist in the effort under the direction of 

quality assurance managers hired to coordinate the implementation of an ISO 

17025-based quality system.

HUD n/a

NARA NARA did not participate in any conformity assessment activities in FY 2008.

NASA NASA's Office of Safety and Mission Assurance remains involved in various 

conformity assessment activities. Most notable are the audits, assessments, and 

reviews processes according to NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR) 

8705.6, Safety and Mission Assurance Audits, Assessments, and Reviews. 

Conformity assessments of NASA contractors are based on requirements of 

NASA Policy Directive (NPD) 8730.5 and the NASA Quality Policy. These 

audits and reviews evaluate, among other items, compliance with both NASASTDs and NASA mandated VCS. In addition, some of the activities supported 

by the OSMA and the Office of Chief Engineer participate with conformity 

assessment activities such as NASCAP. Conformity assessments activities 

involved included ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001:204, AS0100, and OSHA VPP 

Star.

NRC None

NSF None.

TRES None

USDA N/A

VA The VA does not engage in conformity assessment activities. VA strives to use 

industry-based standards and commerical off the shelf products.
184

Appendix G – Federal Agency Activities Related to Use of Private Sector Standard

FY 2008 Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies in which Federal Agencies 

Participated

s

Voluntary Consensus Standards Body Acronym

3 rd Generation Partnership Project Project 2 3GPP2

3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc 3-A SSI

3A/NSF International Meat and Poultry Equipment Standards 3A/NSF

3rd Generation Partnership Project 3GPP

Accredited Standards Committee X12 X12

Acoustical Society of America ASA

Adeno Associated Virus Reference Materials Working Group ARMWG

Adeno Associated Virus Reference Standard Working Group AAVSWG

Advisory Committee for water Information ACWI

Advisory Committee on Casualty Assessment Health Canada ACCA

Aerospace & Defense Industries Association of Europe ASD

Aerospace Industries Association of America AIA

Air Movement and Control Association AMCA

Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute ARI

Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions ATIS

Almond Board of California ABC

Aluminum Association AA

Ambulance Manufacturers Division AMD

AMCA International AMCA

American Academy of Pediatrics AAP

American Architectural Manufacturers Association AAMA

American Association for Budget and Program Analysis AABPA

American Association for Clinical Chemistry AACC

American Association for Laboratory Accreditation A2LA

American Association of Blood Banks AABB

American Association of Cereal Chemists AACC

American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators AAMVA

American Association of Physicists in Medicine AAPM
185

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials AASHTO

American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists AATCC

American Association of Tissue Banks AATB

American Backflow Prevention Association ABPA

American Bearing Manufacturers Association ABMA

American Boat and Yacht Council ABYC

American Bureau of Shipping ABS

American Chemical Society ACS

American College of Nuclear Physicians ACNP

American College of Radiology ACR

American College of Surgeons ACOS

American Concrete Institute ACI

American Concrete Pipe Association ACPA

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists ACGIH

American Dental Association ADA

American Foundation for the Accreditation of Haematopoietic Cell 

Therapy

FAHCT

American Gas Association AGA

American Gear Manufacturers Association AGMA

American Hardboard Association AHA

American Hardware Manufacturers Association AHMA

American Healthcare Information Community AHIC

American Industrial Hygiene Association AIHA

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics AIAA

American Institute of Steel Construction AISC

American Institute of Timber Construction AITC

American Institute of Ultrasound Manufacturers AIUM

American Iron and Steel Institute AISI

American Joint Commission on Cancer AJCC

American Leather Chemists Association ALCA

American Lift Institute ALI

American Lumber Standards Committee ALSC
186

American Medical Association AMA

American National Metric Council ANMC

American National Standards Institute ANSI

American Nuclear Society ANS

American Oil Chemists Society AOCS

American Pacific Economic Conference APEC

American Petroleum Institute API

American Plywood Association APA

American Psychiatric Association APA

American Public Health Association APHA

American Public Transportation Association APTA

American Pyrotechnics Association APA

American Railway Engineering & Maintenance-of-Way Association AREMA

American Rock Mechanics Association ARMA

American Society for Gene Therapy ASGT

American Society for Healthcare Engineering ASHE

American Society for Industrial Security ASIS

American Society for Nondestructive Testing ASNT

American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing ASPRS

American Society for Quality ASQ

American Society for Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineers AHSRA

American Society for Reproductive Medicine ASRM

American Society for Testing and Materials International ASTM

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers ASABE

American Society of Agricultural Engineers ASAE

American Society of Cinematographers ASC

American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE

American Society of Dam Safety Officials ASDSO

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning 

Engineers

ASHRAE

American Society of Mass Spectrometry ASMS

American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME
187

American Society of Naval Engineers ASNE

American Society of Quality Control ASQ

American Society of Safety Engineers ASSE

American Society of Sanitary Engineering ASSE

American Towing Tank Conference ATTC

American Trucking Association ATA

American Type Culture Collection ATCC

American Vacuum Society AVS

American Veterinary Medical Association AVMA

American Water Works Association AWWA

American Welding Society AWS

American Wood Preservers Association AWPA

American Wood Preservers institute AWPI

Analytical Environmental Immunochemical Consortium AEIC

ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board ANAB

AOAC International AOAC

APA - The Engineered Wood Association APA

Architectural Woodwork Institute AWI

ARMA International ARMAI

ASC X9, Inc. ASC X9

ASCE Building Security Council BSC

Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association ARMA

Associated Air Balance Council AABC

Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal 

Care International

AAALAC

Association for Automatic Indentification & Mobility AIM

Association for Information and Image Management AIIM

Association for Machine Technology AMT

Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering AACEI

Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation AAMI

Association of American Railroads AAR

Association of American Seed Control Officials AASCO
188

Association of Automatic Indentification and Data Capture 

Technologies

AIM

Association of Biomolecular Research Facilities ABRF

Association of Diving Contractors International ADCI

Association of Official Analytical Chemists International AOAC

Association of Official Seed Analysts AOSA

Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies AOSCA

Association of Pool and Spa Professionals APSP

Association of Public Health Laboratories APHL

ASTM International ASTM

Baking Industry Sanitary Standards Committee BISSC

Basic Linear Algebra Subprograms Technical Forum BLAS

Biometrics Application Programming Interface Consortium BioAPI

Brick Industry Association BIA

Brighton Collaboration BC

British Standards Institution BSI

Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association BHMA

Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc BOCA

California Strawberry Commission CSC

Canadian General Standards Board CGSB

Canadian Standards Association CSA

Cantaloupe Board of California CBC

Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute CISPI

Ceilings and Interior Systems Construction Association CISCA

Center for Applied Special Technology CAST

Center for Internet Security CIS

Center for Internet Security CSI

Central Laboratory for Blood Transfusion CLBT

Certification Commission for Health Information Technology CCHIT

Chlorine Institute CI

Chocolate Manufacturers Association CMS

Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute CLSI
189

Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium CDISC

Clinical Laboratory for Blood Transfusion CLBT

Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute CLSI

Codex Alimentarius Commission CODEX

College of American Pathologists CAP

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance CVSA

Committee on Data for Science and Technology CODATA

Committee on Marine Measurements COPM

Committee on Operating Rules CORE

Compressed Gas Association CGA

Concrete Pipe Association CPA

Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute CRSI

Conference for Food Protection CFP

Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity COP/CBD

Construction Safety Association of Ontario CSAO

Construction Specifications Institute CSI

Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems CCSDS

Consumer Electronics Association CEA

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild 

Fauna and Flora

CITES

Cooling Technology Institute CTI

Cordage Institute CI

Corn Refiners Association CRA

Cosmetic Ingredient Review CIR

Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association CTFA

Council for Optical Radiation Measurements CORM

Council on Ionizing Radiation Measurements and Standards CIRMS

Crane Manufacturing Association of America CMAA

Cultural Resources Standards with State Historic Preservation Offices SHPO

Data Interchange Standards Association, Inc. DISAI

Data Management Association DAMA

Deep Foundations Institute DFI
190

Designated Standards Maintenance Organizations Board DSMO

Deutsches Institut fur Nomung - German Institute for Standardization DIN

Deutsches Institut fur Normung German Institute for Standardization DIN

Dimensional Metrology Standards Consortium DMSC

Electronic Commerce Code Management Association ECCMA

Electronic Components Assemblies & Materials Association ECAMA

Electronic Industries Alliance EIA

Electronic Products Codes Global EPCG

Electrostatic Discharge Association ESDA

Emergency Interoperability Consortium EIC

Engineered Wood Association EWA

Engineering Sciences Data Unit International ESDU

Enterprise Content Management Association AIIM

ESD Association ESD

European Centre for Validation of Alternative Methods ECVAM

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization CENELEC

European Committee for Standardization CEN

European Directorate for Quality of Medicines EDQM

European Petroleum Survey Group EPSG

External RNA Controls Consortium ERCC

Eye Bank Association of America EBAA

Facility Guidelines Institute FGI

Federal Facilities Council FFC

Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC

Federal Health Architecture FHA

FM Global FMG

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO

Forest Stewardship Council FSC

Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapies FACS

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association FFVA

Fresh Produce Association of America FPA

Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association GAMA
191

Gas Technology Institute GTI

Gelatin Manufacturers of America GMA

Glass Association of North America GANA

Global Harmonization Task Force GHTF

Government Electronics & Information Technology Association GEITA

Graphic Communications Association GCA

Ground Water Protection Council GWPC

Gypsum Association GA

Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association HPVA

Health Canada Advisory Committee on Causality Assessment HCAA

Health Level Seven HL7

Health Physics Society HPS

Health Protection Branch Health Canada HPB

Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society HIMSS

Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel HITSP

Healthcare Interpretations Task Force HITF

High Frequency Industry Association HFIA

Honey Board HB

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Inc. HFESI

Illuminating Engineering Society of North America IES

Illuminating Engineering Society of North America IESNA

INCITS Technical Committee L1, Geographic Information Systems INCITS TC L1

Industrial Safety and Equipment Association ISEA

Industrial Truck Association ITA

Industry-wide Cooperative Meat Identification Standards Committee ICMISC

Information Technology Industry Council ITI

Information Technology Service Management Forum ITSMF

Institute for Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits IPC

Institute of Clean Air Companies ICAC

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers IEEE

Institute of Environmental Sciences & Technology IEST

Institute of Makers of Explosives IME
192

Institute of Nuclear Materials Management INMM

Institute of Packaging Professionals IOPP

Institute of Transportation Engineers ITE

Instrument Society of America ISA

Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society ISA

Insulated Cable Engineers Association ICEA

Insulated Steel Door Systems Institute ISDSI

Intelligent Transportation Society of America ITSA

Inter-American Metrology System SIM

Interagency Trails Data Standards ITDS

International 2-Up ATV Manufacturers Association I2AMA

International Air Transport Association IATA

International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam IAPWS

International Association of Cancer Registrars IACR

International Association of Color Manufacturers IACM

International Association of Drilling Contractors IADC

International Association of Lighthouse Authorities IALA

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials IAPMO

International Astronomical Union IAU

International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA

International Blood Group Reference Laboratory IBRGL

International Bottled Water Association IBWA

international Building Code Council IBCC

International Bureau of Weights and Measures BIPM

International Cartographic Association ICA

International Cellular Therapy Coding and Labeling Advisory Group CTCLAG

International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO

International Code Council ICC

International Commission for Illumination CIE

International Commission of Non-ionizing Radiation Protection and 

Measurements

ICNIRP

International Commission on Harmonization of Technical 

Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Veterinary Use

VICH
193

International Commission on Illumination CIE

International Commission on Occupational Health ICOH

International Commission on Radiation Protection ICRP

International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements, Inc. ICRU

International Commission on the Harmonization of Technical 

Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use

ICH

International Committee for Cosmetic Harmonization and International 

Cooperation

CHIC

InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards INCITS

International Committee for Weights and Measures CIPM

International Conference of Building Officials ICBO

International Cooperation on Harmonization of Technical Requirements 

for Registration of Veterinary Products

VICH

International Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative 

Methods

ICCVAM

International Council for Commonality in Blood Banking Automation ICCBBA

International Council for Science ICSU

International Council on Archives ICA

International Crystal Foundation ICF

international Dairy Federation IDF

International Dairy Foods Association IDFA

International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service IERS

International Electrotechnical Commission IEC

International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory 

Medicine

IFCCLM

International Federation of Fruit Juice Producers IFFJP

International Federation on Information Processing IFIP

International Fragrance Association IFRA

International Fresh-cut Produce Association IFPA

International Health Terminology Standard Development Organization IHTSDO

International Hydrographic Organization IHO

International Institute of Welding IIW

International Life Sciences Institute ILSI

International Maritime Organization IMO
194

International Natural Sausage Casing Association INSCA

International Nomenclature Committee INC

International Organization for Standardization ISO

International Organization for Standardization/International 

Electrotechnical Commission

ISO/IEC

International Organization of Legal Metrology OIML

International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council IPEC

International Plant Protection Convention/International Standards for 

Phytosanitary Measures

IPPC/ISPM

International Radio Consultative Committee IRCC

International Safe Transit Association ISTA

International Safety Equipment Association ISEA

International Security Council ISC

International Seed Testing Association ISTA

International Ship and Offshore Structures Congress ISOSC

International Society for Analytical Cytology ISAC

International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery ISCVS

International Society for Cell Therapy ISCT

International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners ISOPP

International Society on Thrombosis and Homeostasis ISTH

International Sprout Growers Association ISGA

International Telecommunication Union ITU

International Towing Tank Conference ITTC

International Union Against Cancer UICC

International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants UPOV

International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Materials, Systems 

and Structures

RILEM

International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Materials, Systems 

and Structures/International Council for Research and Innovation in 

Building and Construction

RILEM/CIB

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry IUPAC

International Union of Pure and Applied Physics IUPAP

International Window Cleaning Association IWCA

International Working Group on Standardization of Genomic SoGAT
195

Amplification Techniques

Internet Engineering Task Force IETF

Internet Society IS

Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference ISSC

IPC - Association Connecting Electronics Industries IPC

Java Grande Forum JGF

JEDEC - Solid State Technology Association JEDEC

Joint Aeronautical Commander's Group JACG

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations JCAHO

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives JECFA

Laser Institute of America LIA

Logical Observation Identifier Names and Codes LOINC

Machinery Information Management Open Systems MIMOSA

Magnetic Materials Producers Association MMPA

Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings 

Industry

MSSVFI

Marine Technology Society MTS

Material Handling Equipment Industry Association MHIA

Meat and Poultry Business-to-Business Data Standards Organization mpXML

Metal Building Manufacturers Association MBMA

Metal Lath/Steel Framing Association, A Division of NAAMM MLSFA

Modular Systems Building Council MSBC

MultiService Forum MSF

National Academies of Science Institute of Medicine IOM

National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Association NADCAP

National Aerospace Standards Commitee NASC

National Association of Architectural Metal Manufacturers NAAMM

National Association of Chain Manufacturers NACM

National Association of Corrosion Engineers International NACE

National Association of Photographic Manufacturers NAPM

National Association of Relay Manufacturers NARM

National Association of State Fire Marshals NASFM
196

National Automatic Merchandising Association NAMA

National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors NBBPVI

National Cancer Registrar Association NCRA

National Cargo Bureau, Inc NCB

National CAS Standards NCS

National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards NCCLS

National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices NCUTCD

National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics NCVHS

National Conference for Interstate Milk Shipments NCIMS

National Conference on Weights and Measures NCWM

National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation NACLA

National Council for Prescription Drug Program NCPDP

National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements NCRP

National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements NCRPM

National Defense Industrial Association NDIA

National Digital Elevation Program NDEP

National Egg Regulators Association NERO

National Electric Reliability Corporation NERC

National Electrical Manufacturers Association NEMA

National Environmental Methods Index NEMI

National Fire Protection Association NFPA

National Floor Safety Institute NFSI

National Fluid Power Association NFLPA

National Food Processors Association NFPA

National Forum on Education Statistics NCES Forum

National Ground Water Association NGWA

National Information Standards Organization NISO

National Institute for Biological Sciences and Controls NIBSC

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH

National Institute of Building Sciences NIBS

National Institute of Packaging, Handling Engineers NIPHLE

National Institute of Standards and Technology NIST
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National Marine Electronics Association NMEA

National Marine Manufacturers Association NMMA

National Marrow Donor Program NMDP

National Oilseed Processors Association NOPA

National Petroleum Management Association NPMA

National Quality Forum NQF

National Safety Council NSC

National Spa and Pool Institute NSPI

National Toxicology Program NTP

National Truck Equipment Assocation NTEA

National Trust Banking Industry NTBI

National Type Evaluation Program NTEP

National Uniform Billing Committee NUBC

National Uniform Claim Committee NUCC

National Uniform Claim Reason and Status Code Maintenance 

Committee

NUCRSCMC

National Water-Quality Monitoring Council NWQMC

National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group NWCG

National Window and Door Association NWDA

NCSL International NCSLI

NCSLI International NCSLI

Network Address Space Working Group IPv6

North America Free Trade Association NAFTA

North America Millers Association NAMA

North American Association of Central Cancer Registries NAACCR

North American Electric Reliability Corporation NERC

North American Open Math Initiative NAOMI

North American Plant Protection Organization/Regional Standards for 

Phytosanitary Measures

NAPPO/RSPM

North American Transport of Dangerous Goods Standards NATDGS

North American Weeds Management Association NAWMA

Northwest Environmental Data Network NED

Northwest Horticultural Council NHC
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NSF International NSF

NSF International NSFI

Nuclear Information and Records Management Association, Inc. NIRMAI

Object Management Group OMG

Open Applications Group OAGi

Open DeviceNet Vendor Association ODVA

Open Geospatial Consortium OGC

Open Math Society OMS

Optical Laboratories Association OLA

Optical Society of America OSA

Optical Storage Technology Association OSTA

Optics and Electro-Optics Standards Council OEOSC

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD

Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards OASIS

Pacific Northwest Reginal Geospatial Information Council PNW-RGIC

Painting and Decorating Contractors of America PDCA

Pan American Health Organization PAHO

Pan American Network for Drug Regulatory Harmonization PANDRH

Pan-American Standards Commission COPANT

Parachute Industry Association PIA

Parenteral Drug Association PDA

Performance Review Institute PRI

Petrotechnical Open Standards Consortium, Inc. POSC

Pipe Fabrication Institiute PFI

Plastic Pipe Institute PPI

Plumbing and Draining Institute PDI

Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association PHCCA

Portland Cement Association PCA

Post Secondary Electronic Standards Organization PESC

Post-Tensioning Institute PTI

Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute PCI

Produce Marketing Association PMA
199

Product Data Exchange Standard, Inc. PDES

Project Management Institute PMI

Public Petroleum Data Management PPDM

Qualified Products Management Council QPMC

Quarter-Inch Cartridge Drive Standards, Inc. QCDS

Rack Manufacturers Institute RMI

Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics RTCA

Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services RTCM

Recreation Vehicle Industry Association RVIA

Regulated Product Submission RPS

Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North 

America

RESNA

Remittance Advice Remarks Code Committee RARCC

Research Institute for Fragrance Materials RIFM

Resilient Floor Covering Institute RFCI

Resistance Welders Manufacturers Association RWMA

Robotics Industries Association RIA

Rubber Manufacturers Association RMA

SAVE International SAVE

Scaffolding, Shoring, and Forming Institute, Inc. SSFI

School Interoperability Framework Association SIFA

Scientific Apparatus Makers Association SAMA

Screen Manufacturers Association SMA

Security Industry Association SIA

Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International SEMI

Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors National Association SMACNA

Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Contractors SMACNA

Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization SISO

Single Ply Roofing Institute SPRI

Society for Glassware and Ceramic Decorations SGCD

Society for Toxicology SOT

Society of Allied Weight Engineers SAWE
200

Society of American Value Engineers SAVE

Society of Automotive Engineers SAE

Society of Cosmetic Chemists SCC

Society of Fire Protection Engineers SFPE

Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers SMPTE

Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers SNAME

Society of Toxicologic Pathology STP

Society of Toxicological Pathologists STP

Specialty Vehicle Institute of America SVIA

Standards Engineering Society SES

Steel Door Institute SDI

Steel Founders Society of America SFSA

Steel Joist Institute SJI

Steel Window Institute SWI

Strategic National Implementation Process SNIP

Tea Association of America TAA

Technical Association for the WorldwIde, Pulp Paper and Converting 

Industry

TAPPI

Technical Committee for Juice and Juice Products TCJJP

Telecommunications Industry Association TIA

Telemanagement Forum TMF

The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association BIFMA

The Instrucmentation Systems and Automation Society ISAS

The Maintenance Council of American Trucking Associations TMC/ATA

The National Digital Orthophoto Program NDOP

The Open Geospatial Consortium OGC

The Soap and Detergent Association SDA

The Society for Protective Coatings SSPC

The Tire and Rim Association, Inc. TRAI

Transportation Research Board TRB

Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association TTMA

U.S. Product Data Association US PRO
201

Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society UHMS

Underwriters Laboratories UL

United Egg Producers UEP

United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association UFFVA

United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business UN/CEFACT

United Nations Committee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods UNTDG

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe UNECE

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe WP .29/GRSP UNECE

United States Adopted Names Council USANC

United States Animal Health Association USAHA

United States Committee on Large Dams USCOLD

United States Egg and Poultry Association USEPA

United States Pharmacopoeia USP

Urban and Regional Information Systems Association URISA

US Green Building Council - Leadership in Energy and Environmental 

Design

USGBC -

LEEDS

Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards VAMAS

Web Application Security Consortium WASC

Web3D Consortium Web3D

Western Electricity Coordinating Council WECC

Western Growers Association WGA

WiMax Forum WiMAX

Window and Door Manufacturers Association WDMA

Window Covering Manufacturers Association WCMA

Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange WEDI

World Health Organization WHO

World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO

World Meteorological Organization WMO

World Organization for Animal Health OIE

World Wide Web Consortium W3C
202

There were 5482 total Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies in which Federal Agencies 

Participated during fiscal year 2008.

 

2 Excluding duplicates (in shaded text) results in 534 VCSBs which were reported in the 

main summary report.
203

Appendix H – The Interagency Committee on Standards Policy (ICSP)

The Interagency Committee on Standards Policy, also known as the ICSP, is the primary 

body responsible for coordinating standards use among agencies of the Federal 

government.

The ICSP seeks to promote effective and consistent standards policies plus foster 

cooperation between government, industry, and other private organizations involved in 

standards activities. The Committee reports to the Secretary of the Department of 

Commerce (DOC) through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and 

Technology (NIST). 

To review the current charter of the ICSP, click here: 

http://standards.gov/icsp/query/index.cfm?do=Home.ICSPCharter

To see a list of the current ICSP membership, click here: 

http://standards.gov/icsp/query/index.cfm?do=Home.ICSPExecutives
204

Appendix I – Publications Related to the National Technology Transfer and 

Advancement Act (NTTAA) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A119 

To review a list of publications and reference documents related to Federal agency 

implementation of the NTTAA as well as OMB Circular A-119, visit the NTTAA Library 

online at http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/Conformity/pubs.cfm

These documents can be obtained in hardcopy form by sending a written request to: 

Standards Coordination and Conformity Group (SCCG) 

Standards Services Division (SSD) 

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 

Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-2150 

301-975-2490 

When making requests, please identify specific documents by title, author, and date 

wherever possible.