[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 133 (Friday, July 11, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 37201-37202] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-18284] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Institute of Standards and Technology Conference on Using Voluntary Standards in the Federal Government AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces a conference to focus on how Federal agencies are successfully using voluntary standards to meet the goals of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (Pub. L. 104- 113), which was signed into law on March 7, 1996. In part, the Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to coordinate with other Federal Government agencies to achieve greater reliance on voluntary standards and conformity assessment bodies, and lessened dependence on standards developed in-house. The Act contains specific provisions for standards-related activities, requiring Federal agencies to compare the standards used in scientific investigations, engineering, manufacturing, commerce, industry, and educational institutions with the standards developed by the Federal Government, and to coordinate greater use by Federal agencies of private sector standards emphasizing, where possible, the use of standards developed by private, consensus organizations. DATES: The conference will take place on Monday, September 8, 1997, at 8:00 a.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Red Auditorium at the National [[Page 37202]] Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland. To register or to attend the conference, interested parties may contact Ms. Shirley Walters, Standards Conformity Program Office, NIST, (301) 975-5120, fax: (301) 963-2871, e-mail: [email protected]. There is a registration/training fee of $25.00. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Belinda Collins, Ph.D., Director, Office of Standards Services, (301) 975-4000, fax: (301) 963-2871, e-mail: [email protected]; or Joan Tyler, Standards Conformity Program (301) 975-5555, fax: (301) 975- 2183, e-mail: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The National Institute of Standards and Technology, several principal Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) are organizing a one-day conference to focus on how Federal agencies have successfully worked with SDOs in their use of voluntary consensus standards. This conference will present examples of private consensus organizations' or Standards Development Organizations' work with Federal agencies to achieve more efficiency through successful utilization of private sector standards. Agencies and SDOs will discuss success stories based on voluntary standards used for procurements, regulations, and for meeting future national needs. Several panels of experts will explain the impact of particular standards on agency goals, as well as the process of developing the standards and any problems which had to be overcome. NIST will provide background information on the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act and the Implementation Plan. ANSI will discuss the generic standards development process and its role in coordinating with and accrediting SDOS in the United States. Federal entities which wish to learn how other agencies have worked with the private sector to develop mutually beneficial standards, resolve policy issues, and use standards in both Federal procurements and regulations, as well as other interested parties, are invited to attend the conference. Attendees may participate in the question and answer sessions and talk directly with representatives from the Standards Development Organizations. Participating SDOs include: the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Aerospace Industry Association (AIA), the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and other professional bodies. Dated: July 8, 1997. Elaine Bunten-Mines, Director, Program Office. [FR Doc. 97-18284 Filed 7-10-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-13-M