Primer on Engineering Standards

Chapter 2Role of Governments in Standards

Today, more than ever, standards are an imperative undertaking. Standards are the building blocks for innovation and competitiveness. Our nation's ability to compete and lead in a rapidly changing global economy is closely related to our leadership in the development and effective use of standards and standardization processes. Standards provide the common language that keeps domestic and international trade flowing. It is difficult to overestimate their critical value to both the U.S. and global economy.

– Patrick Gallagher, Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2010

2.1 Overview

There is a long history of governmental involvement with standards, beginning with establishment of some standards by government and continuing through the use by the government of standards developed by others. Facets of this involvement include direct development of standards (for internal or external use), involvement in the development of standards by other organizations, urging by governmental entities for development or change of standards, and use of standards.

For those standards developed by a government, there is also a distinction to be made among those intended for internal use and those for use outside of the government. Among those intended for use outside of the government, there is a further distinction between those with which compliance is mandatory and those produced for the benefit of industry, etc., but for which use ...