Public Law 90-396
90th Congress, H. R. 6279
July 11, 1968

An Ae
An Act

To provide for the collection, compilation, eritical evaluation, publication, and
sale of standard reference data.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

DECLARATION OF POLICY

Secrtoy 1, The Congress hereby finds and declares that reliable
standardized scientific and technical reference data are of vital im-
portance to the progress of the Nation’s science and technology. It is
therefore the policy of the Congress to make critically evaluated refer-
ence data readily available to scientists, engineers, and the general
public, It is the ‘purpose of this Act to strengthen and enhance this

policy.

Standard Refer
ence Data Act.

82 STAT, 339

DEFINITIONS

Sec. 2. For the purposes of this Act—
(a) The term “standard reference data” means quantitative infor-
mation, related to a measurable physical or chemical property of a
substance or system of substnces of known composition and struc-
ture, which is critically evaluated as to its reliability under section 3
of this Act.
(b) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Commerce.
. The Secretary is authorized and directed to provide or ar-
range for the collection, compilation, critical evaluation, publication,
and dissemination of standard reference data. In carrying out this
rogram, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable,
utilize the reference data services and facilities of other agencies and

governments, persons, firms, institutions. and associations, with their
consent and in such a manner as to avoid duplication of those services
und facilities. All agencies and instrumentalities of the Federal Gov-
erment are encouraged to exercise their duties and functions in such
manner as will assist in carrying out the purpose of this Act. This
section shall be deemed complementary to existing authority, and
nothing herein is intended to repeal. supersede. or diminish existing
authority or responsibility of any agency or instrumentality of the
Federal (iovernment.

Sec. 4. To provide for more effective integration and coordination of
standard reference data activities, the Secretary, in consultation with
other interested Federal agencies, shall prescribe and publish in the
Federal Register such standards. criteria. and procedures for the prep-
aration and publication of standard reference data as may be necessary
out the provisions of this Act.

. Standard reference data conforming to standards established
by the Secretary may be made available and sold by the Secretary or
by @ person or agency designated by him. To the extent practicable
and appropriate, the prices established for such data may reflect the
cost of collection, compilation, evaluation, publication. and dissemina-
tion of the data, including administrative expenses; and the amounts
received shill be subject to the Act of March 3, 1901, as amended (15
U.S.C. 271-278e). : :

Sec. 6. (a) Notwithstanding the limitations contained in section
8 of title 17 of the United States Code, the Secretary may secure copy-
right and renewal thereof on behalf of the United States as author
or proprietor in all or any part of any standard reference data which

82 STAT, 340

Collection and
publication of
standard refer
enae data,

Fa
a

Standards, eta.
Publication in
Federal Register.

Sala of refer
erce data,
Cost recovery.

31 Stat. 14495
Ante, pe 34.
U.S. sopyrigixt
and renewal
rights. .

61 Stat. 6555
76 Stat. 446,



82 STAT.

Appropriation.

Short title.

Pub. Law 90-396 -2- July 11, 1968
340

he prepares or makes availiable under this Act, and may authorize

the reproduction and publication thereof by others.

(b) ‘The publication or republication by the Government under this
Act, either separately or in a public document, of any material in which
copyright is subsistil ig shall not be taken to cause any abridemert or

unnulment of the copyright or to authorize any use or appropriation
of such Aaterial without ‘the consent of the copytight proprietor.

Sec. 7. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
Act, 51. Be million for the fisexl year ending June 30, 1969. Notwith-
anding the provisions of any other law, no appropriations for any
fiscal year may be made for the Pop ei of this Act after fiscal year
1969 unless previously authorized by legislation hereafter enacted by

the Congress.
Sec. 8 This Act'may be ciced as the “Standard Reference Data Act.”

Approved July 11, 1968.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

FDUSE REPORT No, 250 (Com, on Scferca and Actremaction).
SENATE PEPORT No, 1220 (Com, on Comercs).
CONGAESSTONAL RECCRD:
Vol, 113 {esz}s dug. 14, considered
Vol, 114 (1968): dime 13, considered
7 ~ anended.
Jims 27, Enute conurved in Senata
arendzents.

4 passed Bouse,
4 passed Serata,