NIST – National Institute of Standards and Technology – Standards

What is NIST?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a U.S. federal agency under the Department of Commerce, established in 1901. Originally known as the National Bureau of Standards, NIST’s mission is to promote innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology. As the United States’ National Metrology Institute (NMI), it is responsible for developing, maintaining, and disseminating measurement standards that underpin scientific, industrial, and commercial infrastructure.

NIST operates advanced laboratories, including the Center for Neutron Research and the Physical Measurement Laboratory, where experts develop and calibrate standards for mass, length, time, electrical current, and more. Its research spans fields such as quantum information science, nanotechnology, advanced materials, biotechnology, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. NIST’s work enables accurate, consistent, and internationally recognized measurements, ensuring U.S. products are competitive and safe.

The agency collaborates with industry, government, international standards organizations, and academia to ensure U.S. standards align globally. Through programs like the Technology Innovation Program and manufacturing partnerships, NIST translates scientific breakthroughs into real-world applications. Its influence touches daily life, from atomic clocks that synchronize time on smartphones to standards guaranteeing quality in medical devices, food safety, and construction materials.

NIST is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and actively participates in global standards bodies such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

What are Standards?

Standards are documented agreements that define requirements, guidelines, or characteristics for materials, products, processes, and services. They ensure that systems and components are compatible, safe, and function as intended, regardless of manufacturer or origin.

Standards are foundational in technology, safety, and commerce. For example, in aviation, they ensure compatibility between aircraft systems and ground navigation aids. They also underpin the reliability of power grids, water treatment, and telecommunications. Standards are created through consensus by experts from industry, regulatory bodies, academia, and consumer organizations, and may be developed at organizational, national, or international levels.

The process of developing a standard begins with identifying a need, followed by committee drafting, review, and publication by recognized standards bodies like ISO, ANSI, IEEE, or agencies such as NIST. Some standards are voluntary, while others are mandatory if codified in regulations or contracts.

International standards harmonize technical requirements, reduce trade barriers, and promote economic growth. The World Trade Organization recognizes their central role in facilitating global commerce.

NIST’s Role in Standards Development

NIST is the central U.S. authority for measurement science and standards coordination. Its responsibilities include:

• Developing primary measurement standards and ensuring traceability to the International System of Units (SI)
• Providing technical expertise and leadership in standards development organizations (SDOs) such as ISO, IEC, ASTM, and others
• Facilitating harmonization of national and international standards
• Supporting conformity assessment and laboratory accreditation

NIST’s approach emphasizes voluntary, consensus-based standards. Rather than imposing regulations, it works collaboratively with industry, government, and international partners to develop robust, science-based standards. NIST staff often chair or participate in technical committees, providing authoritative measurement data and analysis.

A key function is ensuring traceability—linking all measurements in industry and commerce to fundamental SI units via a chain of calibrations. NIST also supports conformity assessment, helping organizations demonstrate compliance through programs like the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP).

The agency’s leadership guarantees that U.S. standards remain scientifically sound, internationally aligned, and supportive of innovation, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Types of Standards Supported by NIST

Measurement Standards

Measurement standards are the physical or conceptual realizations of measurement units, such as the kilogram, meter, second, and ampere. NIST develops and maintains these standards to ensure accuracy and global consistency.

At the top of the U.S. measurement system are NIST’s primary standards—the most accurate realizations of SI units using cutting-edge scientific instruments. For example, NIST’s cesium atomic clocks define the second with extreme precision, while the Kibble balance realizes the kilogram based on Planck’s constant.

NIST disseminates standards through calibration services, ensuring that measurements in manufacturing, healthcare, and research are traceable to the SI. This traceability supports legal metrology, commerce, and quality assurance across sectors, including emerging fields like quantum computing and nanotechnology.

Documentary Standards

Documentary standards are formal documents specifying requirements for products, processes, and services—ranging from material properties and testing methods to safety protocols. They are developed by standards organizations like ISO, ASTM, SAE, and IEEE, often with NIST input.

NIST ensures these documents are scientifically grounded by providing measurement data and technical expertise. Its research has shaped standards in fire safety, smart cards, and beyond. Documentary standards are essential for product safety, interoperability, and compliance in sectors like aviation, healthcare, and transportation.

NIST also publishes technical guidelines such as Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) and Special Publications (SP), which often become de facto standards in fields like information security.

Conformity Assessment and Accreditation

Conformity assessment verifies that products, services, or systems meet specific standards. It includes testing, inspection, certification, and accreditation, building confidence among stakeholders.

NIST facilitates this process through technical guidance, participation in mutual recognition arrangements, and operation of the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP). NVLAP accredits laboratories for competence in testing and calibration, ensuring results are reliable and globally recognized. Conformity assessment supports regulatory compliance in healthcare, telecommunications, cryptography, and more.

NIST’s work with organizations like the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) ensures U.S. laboratory results are accepted worldwide.

Standard Reference Materials (SRMs)

Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) are certified substances or artifacts used for calibrating instruments, validating test methods, and ensuring measurement quality. NIST produces over 1,300 SRMs for applications in environmental analysis, clinical diagnostics, materials science, and more.

Each SRM comes with a certificate of analysis detailing its certified values and measurement uncertainties, ensuring traceability to NIST or SI standards. SRMs are critical for regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and international comparability.

Standard Reference Instruments (SRIs)

Standard Reference Instruments (SRIs) are precision devices certified by NIST for calibrating other instruments and ensuring measurement assurance. SRIs are essential in environmental monitoring, healthcare, and research.

A key example is the SRI 6008 Ozone Standard Reference Photometer, used to calibrate ozone monitors for air quality compliance. Each SRI comes with calibration data, uncertainties, and traceability certificates, supporting laboratory accreditation and regulatory monitoring.

Standard Reference Data (SRD)

Standard Reference Data (SRD) are critically evaluated datasets published by NIST—including physical, chemical, thermodynamic, and spectroscopic properties. SRD products, like the NIST Chemistry WebBook and Atomic Spectra Database, are indispensable for researchers, engineers, and industry professionals who need reliable, up-to-date data for modeling, design, and quality control.

SRD ensures that calculations and measurements are based on authoritative values, minimizing errors in processes from aerospace to materials engineering.

Key NIST Frameworks and Initiatives

NIST’s influence extends to frameworks and guidelines for cybersecurity, risk management, post-quantum cryptography, and artificial intelligence. These are widely adopted across sectors to ensure compliance, manage risk, and promote innovation.

Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is a voluntary, risk-based approach for organizations to manage cybersecurity risks. It organizes activities into five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover, each with detailed categories and references to standards and best practices.

The CSF is adaptable for organizations of all sizes and is recognized globally as a benchmark for cybersecurity. NIST regularly updates the CSF to address emerging threats and technologies.

Risk Management Framework (RMF)

The NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) integrates security, privacy, and risk management throughout the system development lifecycle. It provides a structured process to categorize information systems, select controls, assess effectiveness, authorize operation, and monitor risk.

The RMF, detailed in NIST SP 800-37, is mandatory for federal agencies and contractors but is also adopted in private industry. It ensures ongoing, organization-wide risk management and regulatory compliance.

Post-Quantum Cryptography

Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) is the development and standardization of cryptographic algorithms secure against quantum computing threats. NIST leads global efforts to evaluate and standardize quantum-resistant algorithms, such as CRYSTALS-Kyber and CRYSTALS-Dilithium, to protect future digital communications.

Transitioning to PQC is a complex, multi-year process requiring updates to protocols and infrastructure. NIST provides guidance to ensure secure migration.

AI Risk Management Framework

The NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF) offers guidance for organizations to identify, assess, manage, and monitor risks associated with AI systems, focusing on accuracy, reliability, safety, privacy, fairness, and transparency.

The AI RMF is sector- and technology-neutral, supporting responsible AI development and deployment. It helps organizations navigate the unique challenges of AI, from technical robustness to ethical and societal considerations.

Conclusion

NIST plays a foundational role in the U.S. and global standards ecosystem—providing the measurement science, reference materials, accreditation, and frameworks that underpin innovation, safety, and quality in science, industry, and government. From atomic clocks and cryptography to AI risk management, NIST’s influence ensures that technology advances with accuracy, trust, and international compatibility.