WASHINGTON – The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking public comment on involvement of federal agency participation in standardization activities led by private sector, such as work on health information technology and interoperability.

The goal is to figure out how federal agencies could engage more effectively in standardization system, The input received will inform the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Sub-Committee on Standards (SOS) in the development of case studies examining the effectiveness of federal participation in standards and conformity assessment efforts.

Deadline for comments is Feb. 7.

The subcommittee seeks to consider federal engagement in standards activities supporting the following national priorities:

• Smart grid;
• Health information technology;
• Cybersecurity;
• Emergency communications interoperability;
• Radioactivity detectors and radiation monitors; and
• Other technologies involving significant federal participation in standards setting.

Issues impacting U.S. competitiveness, such as the interplay of standards with intellectual property, competition and innovation, are also significant considerations. The subcommittee seeks perspectives on:

• The effectiveness of federal agency coordination with the private sector;
• The adequacy and availability of federal resources;
• The effectiveness of the methods federal agencies have used to engage in standards-setting activities by identifying which methods have enhanced or limited the public-private standards-setting processes; and
• Other issues that arise and are considered during the standards setting process which impact the process, timeliness, adoption and use of the resulting standards.

Comments should be sent by Feb. 7 to SOS_RFI@nist.gov, with the subject line "Standardization feedback for Sub-Committee on Standards."