Committee on Scientific and Technical Information

Overview
The Committee on Scientific and Technical Information (COSATI) of the Federal Council for Science and Technology has responsibility for the discussion of federal issues and problems relating to scientific and technical communication within the Government sector. Consideration of information problems on a national level began in 1958 and led to the establishment of COSATI in 1964. Fourteen panels and task groups deal with information aspects of operational techniques and systems, technology, and its utilization, education and training, international activities, management, analysis and data centers, legal considerations, national systems, library programs, dissemination, synoptic data and technical reports. These panels and groups study and make recommendations to meet national information needs based on the evolving scientific and technical information systems, the ability of federal agencies to effectively carry out information missions, the development of internationally compatible systems, and the development of new technology. COSATI has no authority to enforce its recommendations.