In addition, NIST is charged with coordinating the federal government's standard-related activities with the private sector. The aim is to eliminate unnecessary duplication and complexity. Each year NIST reports on the progress federal agencies are making in implementing the law. ANSI is not a standards developer but rather serves to coordinate US activities, particularly with respect to the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission , and develop cross-cutting policy positions within the United States. In December 2000, NIST and ANSI signed a memorandum of understanding that recognizes the particular responsibilities of each.
Notices provide businesses and other organizations with the opportunity to comment.
Topics range from ISO 9000 to standardization in the European Union. American Softwood Lumber Standard. These activities range from tests of components to quality-system registration and from accreditation methods that assess the competence of testing laboratories to procedures for evaluating accreditor performance. Accreditation programs are established in response to mandates or administrative action by the federal government or requests from private-sector organizations. Information technology standards Standards are essential elements of information technology-hardware, software, and networks.