Leveraging Standards in Support of Government Objectives: The Impact of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act on Federal Government Use of Voluntary Standards

Published

October 16, 2008

Author(s)

M H. Saunders

Abstract

Voluntary standards, developed through a private-sector led consensus process, create substantial value for Federal agencies in the conduct of regulatory, procurement and policy activities. Both OMB Circular A-119, Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities, and the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (the NTTAA, Public Law 104-113) which was signed into law on March 7, 1996, recognize the valuable contributions that private sector standards make to enabling the government to carry out its responsibilities. The NTTAA has been a catalyst for constructive change in the culture of the federal government. Through greater reliance on voluntary consensus standards -- the American public, business, and the government have all benefited. In the future, we are likely to see more strategic partnerships, such as those outlined in this article, as both government and private sector look out over the next five to 10 years to identify critical standards activities that will both facilitate innovation and global competitiveness while also meeting broad public needs at home for protection of health, safety and the environment.

Citation

Defense Standardization Program Journal

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

competitiveness, electronic health records, federal gencies, hydrogen economy, innovation, nanotechnology, NTTAA, OMB, voluntary standards

Citation

Saunders, M. (2008), Leveraging Standards in Support of Government Objectives: The Impact of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act on Federal Government Use of Voluntary Standards, Defense Standardization Program Journal (Accessed December 30, 2024)