National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995

Citation
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995, Pub. L. No. 104-113 (1995).

Overview
Section 12 of the Act establishes a preference for commercially developed standards. The National Institute of Standards of Technology (NIST) is responsible under the law for coordinating “the use by Federal agencies of private sector standards, emphasizing where possible the use of standards developed by private, consensus organizations.” Examples of such organizations are the Electronic Industries Associations, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and the Information Technology Industry Council.

Traditionally, NIST has adopted commercially developed standards in Federal Information Processing Standards Publications (FIPS PUBs) for citation in Government specifications. Those who develop agency specifications must consider standards.