Virtual Meeting

June 8, 2021

Critical and Emerging Technology 

Standards Development

Gordon Gillerman

Director, Standards Coordination Office
Key Messages

• NIST is stepping up 

coordination and leadership in 

critical and emerging 

technology standards

• Technology standards create 

opportunities for innovation 

and define future markets

• China’s engagement in 

international standards is 

growing

2
Technology Standards and Markets

3

Technology standards shape the markets of the future and are key to innovation leadership
4

4
Leadership in Standards Activities:

Overall Top 9 Countries Participation

5

China

8%

United States

68%

United Kingdom

5%

Japan

3%

South Korea

3%

Canada

6%

Germany

4%

India

2%

Australia

1%

IEEE Committees

China

40%

United States

5%

United Kingdom

5%

Japan

11%

South Korea

19%

France

7%

United Arab 

Emirates

7%

Argentina

3%

Malaysia

3%

ITU-T Questions Under Study

China

27%

United States

23%

United Kingdom

4%

Japan

11%

South Korea

9%

Sweden

10%

France

6%

Germany

6%

The Netherlands

4%

3GPP Specifications Groups

SG13, SG 17, and SG20 in ITU-T Study Groups.

Retrieved April 9, 2019 from https://www.itu.int/en/ITUT/studygroups/2017-2020/Pages/default.aspx

RAN1, RAN 2, RAN4, SA1, SA2, SA3, and SA 6 in 3GPP Specifications 

Group Home. Retrieved April 9, 2019 from 

https://www.3gpp.org/specifications-groups/specifications-groups

Various search terms in IEEE Standards Association Find Projects. Retrieved between April 10, 2019 

and May 8, 2019 from https://standards.ieee.org/project/index.html

Leadership from Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity and Privacy, Learning Technology, 

Microprocessor, and Networking (LAN/MAN) in IEEE Standards Committees. Retrieved between 

April 10, 2019 and May 8, 2019 from https://www.computer.org/volunteering/boards-andcommittees/standards-activities/committees
6

Comparison of Standards “Systems” 

• Voluntary, decentralized and marketdriven

• Public-private partnership and led by 

private sector

• Differs from centralized standards 

systems in other countries

• Reflects U.S. culture and public-private 

sector dynamics

• Relies on cooperation, communication 

and parity among diverse stakeholders

• ANSI is the private sector coordinator 

of many U.S. domiciled standards 

organizations and our ISO and IEC 

member

In the U.S.

• Central government organized

• Standards Administration of China 

(SAC) 

• Developing a tiered standards system 

(national, sector, local standards)

• China Standards 2035 – launched 

2018

• developed by Standardization 

Administration of China (SAC) 

• research standardization strategies to 

inform China’s strategy

• focused on Chinese national 

standards for priority areas

• increase Chinese private sector 

standards development

• increase Chinese participation and 

leadership in international standards

In China
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What Are We Doing Today? 

Interagency 

Committee on 

Standards Policy

ICSP

ICSP AI WG ICSP Advanced 

Communications 

WG 

NIST Documentary 

Standards Council 

US TAG to ISO 

Biotechnology

QEDC Standards 

TAC

DoC Standards 

Council 

International 

Cyber Security 

Standards 

Working 

Group

6000+ 

PARTICIPANTS IN 

STANDARDS TRAINING 

EVENTS

FY 21 Standards Coordination 

budget increased by $750K
• 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

• SEC. 9414. Study on Chinese Policies and Influence in the Development of International Standards for 

Emerging Technologies

• U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021

• Endless Frontiers Act

• Strategic Competition Act 

• National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology (draft)

• NSTC subcommittees in relevant areas for key emerging technology standardization 

• OMB A-119 Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus 

Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities – revised 2016

• National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995

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Standards in Administration and Congressional Priorities
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What Do We Need to Do Next?

• Increase NIST standards participation and influence in critical and emerging technology standards 

development

• Raise competence and ability of federal employees to influence standards development and 

enhance interagency coordination

• Lead effort with DOC bureaus and Dept. of State to provide timely, clear and actionable information 

on international standards threats and opportunities, and work with like-minded countries to 

support industry-led open consensus standards development

• Plan for future roles

1. get critical standards information to U.S. industry with a focus on emerging technologies

2. enhance U.S. emerging technology U.S. experts influence in international standards

• Work with Dept. of State to increase messaging about the importance of open consensus 

international standards
Key Take-Aways

• NIST is stepping up 

coordination and leadership in 

critical and emerging 

technology standards

• Technology standards create 

opportunities for innovation 

and define future markets

• China’s engagement in 

international standards is 

growing

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