National Science and Technology Council

Committee on Technology

Subcommittee on Standards

Status Report 

Mary Saunders

Director, Standards Coordination Office
Overview

Subcommittee on Standards

Framework Report

White House Policy Memorandum

Next Steps
Subcommittee on Standards

A working group of the National Science and Technology Council’s 

Committee on Technology

Signifies high level Administration interest in standards

• Mission:

• Engage government agencies on standards policy issues

• Increase awareness within the federal government of best practices in 

addressing standards policy issues

• Articulate the U.S. model of public-private cooperation in standards 

setting to domestic and international audiences

Tracks VCAT 2009 Annual Report recommendation that NIST “serve as a 

principal inter-agency convener for documentary standards”
June 30 Meeting - Proposed Subcommittee Deliverables

Framework: Standards 

as a Tool of Governance

Articulates strengths of 

private sector-led 

system

Describes importance of 

federal engagement

Outlines various modes 

of engagement

Case Studies

Four technology areas

Reference for federal 

agencies engaging in 

standardization 

activities

Recommendations

On best practices/

principles for future 

engagements between 

the public and private 

sectors in national 

priority areas

images: NIST;integerwireless.com/wilber; graham-taylor; zimmytwsk; stuyagin/shutterstock;techibuzz.com/GMAutos
Framework Report

Report released by OSTP on October 14, 

2011 – now available at www.standards.gov

 Reflects extensive public and agency input and engagement

 Articulates USG role in the U.S. standards system

 Outlines legal and policy framework relating to USG participation in and 

use of standards

 Addresses developments since 1998 revision of OMB Circular A-119

 Includes six policy recommendations for federal agencies
Policy Recommendations

1. Recognize that in most government-private-sector 

standards engagements, the primary role of the 

government will continue to be that of active 

contributor to the private-sector-led process.

2. Identify the context(s) where Federal government 

leadership / coordination may be appropriate.

3. Outline objectives for government engagement in 

standardization activities to support national 

priorities.

4. Enhance effective coordination and participation by 

agencies.

5. Clarify agency responsibilities with respect to the 

full range of standards setting alternatives.

6. Lay out key principles underpinning voluntary 

standardization processes.
Policy Recommendations (2)

• Access and availability

• Clear IPR policies

• Timeliness

Additional attributes of standards organization processes that 

agencies should consider:
Framework Document Impact

Near Term

• Positive feedback received

• Unambiguous articulation 

of USG approach 

• Basis for formal EOP 

position on proposed 

standards policy 

recommendations

Medium Term 

• Identify actionable 

instances to apply policy 

recommendations

• Use in interactions with 

foreign governments

• Basis for further 

discussion on key issues
White House Memorandum for Heads of Agencies

• Issued by Three White House Offices

• Principles for Federal Engagement in Standards Activities to Address 

National Priorities

• Innovation Focus

• Private Sector Role

• Strategic Objectives

• Agency Responsibilities

• Takes into account the impact of growth of ICT technologies and 

changes to the standardization system since 1998
Strategic Objectives

• Produce timely, effective standards and 

efficient conformity assessment schemes 

that are essential to addressing an 

identified need

• Achieve cost-efficient, timely and effective 

solutions to legitimate regulatory, 

procurement and policy objectives

• Promote standards and standardization 

systems that promote and sustain 

innovation and foster competition

• Enhance U.S. growth and competitiveness 

and ensure non-discrimination, consistent 

with international obligations

• Facilitate international trade and avoid the 

creation of unnecessary barriers to trade
Principles Impact

Provides the 

private sector 

greater 

clarity and 

certainty 

about federal 

government 

engagement

Conveys the U.S. 

government’s 

continuing 

commitment to 

the publicprivate 

partnership that 

is the foundation 

of the U.S. 

standards 

system

Sends an 

important message 

to both domestic 

and international 

audiences 

Establishes a 

framework for 

policy makers 

(Administration 

and Congress) to 

use while defining 

their standards 

needs

Provides clear 

direction to 

agency staff and 

leadership in their 

efforts to catalyze 

technology 

breakthroughs to 

drive U.S. 

innovation and 

competitiveness 
Next Steps

Leverage White House formal commitment to 

the importance of standards in spurring 

technology deployment, NIST role

Apply principles to address interagency coordination issues – e.g., 

cybersecurity, cloud computing, etc.

Update NIST guidance for 

agencies on conformity 

assessment

•Use of standards in regulations

• International standards definition

• Standards and intellectual property rights

• Inter-agency communication and coordination

Pursue changes to 

OMB A-119 if needed