The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced on Tuesday that it has awarded $15 million to the global standards organization ASTM International for a center of excellence to support U.S. engagement in international standardization for critical and emerging technologies (CETs).
The Standardization Center of Excellence will be led by ASTM International, with support from multiple partners from across the standards development ecosystem. NIST will provide funding for the center through a cooperative agreement over a five-year period.
“Broad U.S. participation in the international standards process is vital to ensuring global market access for our products and services in the highly competitive and rapidly evolving technologies and that the resulting standards are based on sound science,” NIST Associate Director for Laboratory Programs Charles Romine said in a press release.
“This first-of-its-kind public-private partnership will help us advance international standardization for the critical and emerging technologies that are changing our lives every day, such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and biotechnology,” Romine added.
The center will focus on four broad areas:
- Pre-standardization engagement to ensure private sector-driven participation – especially by underrepresented groups such as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – in international standardization efforts;
- Workforce development to create a pipeline of professionals, especially early- to mid-career professionals, who can engage in and lead international standards development efforts;
- A collaborative pilot program with NIST to accelerate the development of industry-driven standards where needed for selected CETs; and
- Creation of an information and data sharing hub for all stakeholders involved in standardization, with information and tools that are tailored to meet the needs of specific CETs.
Other partners that will support the center include the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), A3 Association for Advancing Automation, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), UL Standards and Engagement, CSA Group, Accuris, and Nexight Group.
NIST said these initial partners “bring experience in marshaling global expertise for standards development, standards education and workforce development, standards optimization, and more.”
The agency said it plans to engage with the center and its partners actively and provide technical expertise and leadership. NIST also noted that future funding awards “will be subject to the availability of funds.”
