The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have extended their long-running Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), strengthening the voluntary standards system of the U.S. while supporting U.S. competitiveness, economic security, and quality of life.
The MoU, signed by ANSI president and CEO Joe Bhatia and NIST associate director for laboratory programs Charles H. Romine, facilitates domestic communication and coordination among both private and public-sector parties in the U.S. surrounding voluntary standards and conformity assessment. The extension of the MoU reconfirms the need for a coordinated national approach to support the development of the best possible standards, as reflected in the U.S. Standards Strategy.
The agreement acknowledges the value of the public-private partnership between ANSI and the federal government, noting the importance of “open and continuous dialog within and between the private sector and federal government on voluntary standards and conformity assessment to achieve our common goals” and “enhancing the timely flow of relevant information about developments affecting those common goals to facilitate decision-making and the implementation of coordinated actions on standards.”
The extended MoU is in effect until May 4, 2026.