ANSI Invites Participation in Webinar on Engagement with the New Subcommittee on Standards of the National Science and Technology Council

On May 19, 2010, from 3 - 5 p.m., the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) will host a webinar to solicit proposed comments and proposals on the agenda for the new National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Subcommittee on Standards. This discussion is intended to respond directly to a request from NSTC officials for the private sector's thoughts on the agenda and goals of this new subcommittee, as well as input on how it can most effectively interact with the private sector. The webinar will immediately follow the previously scheduled meeting of the National Policy Committee (NPC), which is being held at the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.

By way of background, on April 13, 2010, ANSI hosted an in-person gathering and webinar for the entire ANSI community to meet with the following NSTC leaders:

• Aneesh Chopra, U.S. Chief Technology Officer
• Pat Gallagher, Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology
• Phil Weiser, Senior Advisor to the National Economic Council Director for Technology and Innovation

At the April 13th event, these officials made it clear that: a) they welcome input from the private sector; b) the current U.S. standardization system of private-sector leadership is the right model; and c) the government needs to pay more attention to the standardization process in order to catalyze opportunities for economic growth and productivity. A summary and complete audio recording of the event are available here.

The May 19th webinar will build upon these points and will offer an opportunity for the standards and conformity assessment community to make concrete suggestions and raise issues that they believe should be discussed by the NSTC subcommittee. Webinar participants will also identify opportunities for possible public-private partnerships and help to identify areas where the U.S. government could participate more actively or with more effective coordination.

During the webinar, ANSI will welcome stakeholder input on any NSTC-related subject of interest, including:

• Should the government re-commit to greater involvement in private sector standards creation activities, including the delegation of government representatives to participate in the work of private-sector led standards development?

• What role, if any, can the U.S. government play in matters involving intellectual property rights and standards?

• How can we best continue the public/private partnership and interactions via various forums?

Following the webinar discussion, stakeholders will be encouraged to send written comments and/or suggestions to Liz Neiman, ANSI director of communications and public relations ([email protected]) so that they can be collated and submitted to the new Subcommittee on Standards.

Members of the NPC who are present for the in-person meeting earlier that day may remain at CEA to participate. Other interested parties may dial-in remotely to the webinar. To register as a webinar participant, please visit https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/681018472.