Standards.gov
Standards.Gov offers background materials and useful links for locating information about the use of standards in government. Our primary focus is on federal agency use of standards for regulatory and procurement purposes.
The NTTAA
Standards.gov supports the requirements of The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA), which became law in March 1996. The NTTAA directs Federal agencies with respect to their use of private sector standards and conformity assessment practices. The objective is for Federal agencies to adopt private sector standards, wherever possible, in lieu of creating proprietary, non-consensus standards. The Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to bring together Federal agencies, as well as State and local governments, to achieve greater reliance on voluntary standards and decreased dependence on in-house standards.
Progress toward accomplishing NTTAA aims is summarized in annual reports prepared by NIST, in collaboration with the Interagency Committee on Standards Policy (ICSP).
- NTTAA Annual Reports
- Agency Reporting Tool [Standards Executives Only]
- The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
OMB Circular A-119
OMB Circular A-119, Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities, establishes policies on Federal use and development of voluntary consensus standards and on conformity assessment activities. OMB issued this revision of the Circular in order to make the terminology of the Circular consistent with the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA).
Guidance on Federal Conformity Assessment Activities
This document contains policy guidance on Federal agency use of conformity assessment activities. The document was developed by NIST in compliance with Paragraph 8 OMB Circular A-119.