what is nist
NIST is a non-regulatory federal agency founded in 1901 within the U.S. Commerce Departmentâs Technology Administration whose mission is to develop and promote measurement, standards, and technologies to enhance productivity, facilitate trade, and improve the quality of life of Americans.ith NIST traceable calibration, any measurements taken with a certified thermometer will have: 1  An unbroken chain of measurements that leads back to NIST maintained standards. 2  Known and documented uncertainties for each step in the chain.