§18951 International standards development

Summary

Requires the Director to lead federal coordination and to help U.S. groups take part in making international technical standards. Congress says openness, clear rules, fair process, and consensus are important. It also says industry-led, voluntary standards are key to the U.S. economy and global trade. The Director must share information across agencies and with the private sector and think about the government’s role, which standards groups matter, how the U.S. is represented, and how to help experts—especially from small U.S. businesses—join leadership teams and meetings. The Director must also support partnerships across government, universities, industry, and nonprofits, promote U.S. standards abroad, and create training and outreach so more U.S. people and groups can join standards work. The Director must set up a 5-year pilot grant program, with the National Science Foundation and other agencies, to give competitive grants to U.S. small businesses, colleges, and nonprofits to boost their participation and leadership in international standards groups. Grants can cover reasonable costs (for example, travel, training, and fees) up to limits the Director sets. Awards will be chosen by merit panels and judged on things like technical expertise, knowledge of the standards process, clear project plans, staff commitment, and market need. The Director must make and update rules for the program, consult outside groups, and report to Congress after year two and every year after with an evaluation and, if it works, a plan to make the program permanent.