USG NATIONAL STANDARDS STRATEGY 

FOR CRITICAL AND EMERGING 

TECHNOLOGY (USG NSSCET)

Jayne B. Morrow, PhD

Senior Advisor on Standards Policy

Directors Office

National Institute of Standards and Technology
LEADERSHIP OF STANDARDS

USG National Standards Strategy 

for Critical and Emerging 

Technology supports the 

development of federal standards 

policy to ensure continued U.S. 

global economy competitiveness 

and technology leadership
DYNAMIC GLOBAL LANDSCAPE OF STANDARDS 

DEVELOPMENT

The future of U.S. innovation, 

competition, and national 

security is at risk

The U.S. must uphold the 

integrity of international 

standards in coordination with 

likeminded partners and allies

A clear vision is needed to 

sustain engagement in global 

standards-setting 
CRITICAL AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IDENTIFIED IN 

THE USG NSSCET 

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & 

MACHINE LEARNING

BIOTECHNOLOGIES

DIGITAL ID 

INFRASTRUCTURE & DISTRIBUTED 

LEDGER TECHNOLOGIES

COMMUNICATION & NETWORKING 

TECHNOLOGIES

SEMICONDUCTORS 

& MICROELECTRONICS

QUANTUM INFORMATION 

TECHNOLOGIES

RENEWABLE ENERGY 

GENERATION & STORAGE
SPECIFIC CET APPLICATIONS

Automated & Connected Infrastructure

Smart cities, Internet of Things, and 

other novel applications

Automated & Connected Transportation

Autonomous vehicles, unmanned 

aircraft systems, automated subway 

systems, smart cities, internet-of-things, 

and other possible applications

Critical Mineral Supply Chains

Cross-cutting issues that are critical to 

enabling the development and 

deployment of emerging technologies 

and data security

Biobanking

Involves the collection, storage, and 

use of biological samples from 

individuals

Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Standards to integrate EVs with the 

electrical grid

Cybersecurity & Privacy

Cross-cutting issues that are critical to 

enabling the development and 

deployment of emerging technologies 

and data security
USG NSSCET OBJECTIVES

Objective 1: Investment

Objective 2: Participation

Objective 3: Workforce

Objective 4: Integrity & Inclusivity
USG NSSCET LINES OF EFFORT

Greater Investment in PreStandardization Research

 Increase R&D funding for CETs

 Support development of standards 

that address risk, security, and 

resilience

Participation in Standards 

Development

 Remove and prevent barriers to 

private sector participation

 Improve communication between 

public and private sector

 Enhance USG representation and 

influence in international standards 

governance and leadership

Workforce Development

 Educate and empower the new 

standards workforce

Ensuring Integrity in Standards 

Development

 Deepen standards cooperation with 

partners and allies

 Facilitate broad representation in 

standards development
THE INNOVATION STAKEHOLDERS

U.S. leadership in 

the U.S. innovation 

ecosystem requires 

collaboration 

among a diverse 

set of participants.
DEVELOPING A USG NSSCET IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Supporting communication and coordination 

information standards.gov

Established Visiting Committee on Advanced 

Technology Subcommittee on International 

Standards Development

Hosting national listening sessions and 

stakeholder engagement workshops (planning 6 

sessions between September and December, 2023)

Posting Request for Information on barriers to 

increased standards engagement (FRN at the end of 

August)

Engaging in the USG 

National Standards 

Strategy for Critical 

and Emerging 

Technology
San 

Francisco 

Huntsville

Washington, DC

New York

Detroit

https://www.eda.gov/about/

NATIONAL LISTENING SESSIONS

Listening sessions planned 

around the country using EDA 

regions as a guide. 

Will be held while RFI is open 

to increase coordination and 

engagement in standards 

development

Updated list of events will be 

posted on standards.gov

 Filled stars are confirmed events

 Listening session locations if not at EDA Hub are in 

black
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION OVERVIEW

Broad questions on benefits, risks and the challenges faced 

by small and medium sized enterprises

Investment - Policies, R&D and prestandardization budget 

to support standards development and encourage USG 

adoption of standards and demonstrated CETs.

Participation - Support coordination, communication, 

collaboration with private-sector, civil society and state and 

local government in participation in CET standards 

development

Workforce – Tools, resources, curricula, activities to 

encourage engagement and awards for increased 

recognition for participation in CET standards development

Integrity and Inclusivity - Support 

coordination, communication, and collaboration with 

partners and allies to reinforce TBT principles
WE ARE LISTENING DOCKET NUMBER 2023-19245

NIST Seeks Input on Implementation of USG NSSCET 

through a Request for Information (RFI).

The RFI Covers USG NSSCET Goal Areas - Investment, 

Participation, Workforce, Integrity and Inclusivity

RFI will be open through 11/6/23

Please also visit standards.gov for information on 

events, progress, and other ways to engage!

QR Code for RFI
WWW.STANDARDS.GOV

We’re Listening.

The Standards Information 

Center provides a gateway to 

navigating the dynamic U.S. 

and international standards 

landscape

The USA Enquiry Point 

for the World Trade 

Organization (WTO) www.Standards.gov