NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.

Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Material Measurement Laboratory

Biosystems and Biomaterials Division

Standards to Advance the Bioeconomy

Share

Why are standards important?

Standards enable comparison, ensure interoperability, support commerce for emerging technologies, and support the development of policy and legislation.

Infographic depicting four elements of the role of standards in the bioeconomy, from left to right, manufacturing innovation, growing and right-sizing manufacturing capacity, infrastructure security, and regulatory streamlining and decreased cost and or time to market.
The important roles of standards in advancing the US bioeconomy.

NIST standards leadership and Engagement

  • NIST leads or contributes to a broad range of documentary standards, including the lexicon for bioeconomy.
  • NIST leads multiple consortia to cultivate broad stakeholder engagement and input for the development and adoption of consensus standards.
  • NIST, as the National Metrology Institute (NMI), represents the U.S. in supporting advances in measurement science and measurement standards with other NMIs under the auspices of BIPM through the Metre Convention of 1875.
  • NIST coordinates with other U.S. government and foreign agencies to support policy development and regulatory decision making.
  • NIST continuously identifies global standardization needs, gaps and opportunities.
  • NIST recently announced a Regenerative Medicine Standards Curricula Development Program to support broad adoption and continuous education in advanced therapy manufacturing.

NIST is prioritizing data standards as part of its broad 
bioeconomy data strategy.

NIST Standards Products

Learn more about how NIST Laboratory Programs support standards development.

Infographic depicting how a concept can be matured to a pre-standard and a consensus standard. Concepts begin as tools for measurement assurance. Pre-standards are the start of consensus building for a pre-standard. Standards are a key part of measurement infrastructure.
Maturing a concept to a "pre-standard" with community consensus and enabling the resulting standards and measurement infrastructure.
Bioscience, Bioinformatics, Biomanufacturing, Biomaterials, Cell measurements, Engineering / synthetic biology, Genomics, Microbial measurements, Information technology, Artificial intelligence, Trustworthy and responsible AI, Cybersecurity and privacy, Risk management, Standards, Documentary standards, Frameworks, Reference data, Reference materials and Standards education
Created April 30, 2024, Updated February 21, 2025
Was this page helpful?