ASTM International Leading Efforts, along with Partners A new Standardization Center of Excellence (SCoE) funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) aims to boost U.S. engagement in international standardization for critical and emerging technologies (CETs) essential to U.S. competitiveness and national security. Following a Notice of Funding Opportunity, NIST awarded ASTM International to establish the center.

The center's efforts align with the U.S. Government National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology and its Implementation Roadmap, and will focus on four key areas:

pre-standardization engagement to encourage and ensure private sector-driven participation, especially by underrepresented groups such as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in international standardization efforts; workforce capacity building 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 the creation of an information and data sharing hub to serve as a central resource for all stakeholders involved in standardization, with information and tools that are tailored to meet the specific needs and priorities of particular CETs. According to NIST's announcement, the center will also support and complement the broader goals of the United States Standards Strategy (USSS), published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), with the goal of ensuring that the U.S. remains a global leader in standardization efforts.

To develop the center, ASTM will collaborate with partners including ANSI members A3 Association for Advancing Automation, ASME, IEEE, UL Standards and Engagement, and CSA Group, along with other organizations including Accuris and Nexight Group.

ANSI will cooperate with ASTM and center partners, and has informed ASTM of the Institute's openness to consultation on a range of SCoE cooperation modalities.

Related News: NIST Announces Funding Opportunity for Standardization Center of Excellence