[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 172 (Thursday, September 7, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61527-61529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19245]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket No.: 230818-0199]
Request for Information on Implementation of the United States
Government National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging
Technology (USG NSSCET)
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; request for information.
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SUMMARY: NIST is seeking information on behalf of the U.S. Department
of Commerce and the U.S. Government to support the development of an
implementation plan for the United States Government National Standards
Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology (USG NSSCET). The USG
NSSCET is intended to support and complement existing private sector-
led
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activities and plans, including the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) United States Standards Strategy (USSS), with a focus
on critical and emerging technology(ies) (CET). The USG NSSCET
reinforces the U.S. Government's support of a private sector-led, open,
consensus-based international standards system, corresponding to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)
Committee decision that articulates and elaborates on principles that
are fundamental to the development of an international standards:
transparency; openness; impartiality and consensus; effectiveness and
relevance; and coherence.
To inform the USG NSSCET implementation, including how to best
partner with relevant stakeholders, NIST is requesting information that
will support the identification and prioritization of key activities
that will optimize the USG NSSCET implementation and further enhance
the U.S. Government's ability to support a private sector-led, open,
consensus-based international standards system, to which the U.S.
Government is an active stakeholder and participant.
DATES: Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November
6, 2023.
ADDRESSES:
Electronic submission: Submit electronic public comments
via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
1. Go to www.regulations.gov and enter NIST-2023-0005 in the search
field.
2. Click the ``Comment Now!'' icon and complete the required
fields.
3. Enter or attach your comments.
Comments containing references, studies, research, and other
empirical data that are not widely published should include copies of
the referenced materials. All submissions, including attachments and
other supporting materials, will become part of the public record and
subject to public disclosure.
All comments responding to this document will be a matter of public
record. Relevant comments will generally be available on the Federal
eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. After the comment period
closes, relevant comments will generally be available on
www.standards.gov. NIST will not accept comments accompanied by a
request that part or all of the material be treated confidentially
because of its business proprietary nature or for any other reason.
Therefore, do not submit confidential business information or otherwise
sensitive, protected, or personal information, such as account numbers,
Social Security numbers, or names of other individuals.
For Public Meetings/Webcast: NIST may hold a series of ``Listening
Sessions'' or ``Stakeholder Events'' in support of the USG NSSCET
implementation. Information on these and any other NIST-sponsored
events in connection with the USG NSSCET implementation will be
announced at www.standards.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about this notice please
contact: Jennifer L. Marshall, Deputy Director, Standards Coordination
Office (SCO), NIST via email at [email protected] or by phone at (301) 975-
3396. Please direct all media inquiries to Public Affairs Office (PAO),
NIST via email at [email protected] or by phone at (301) 975-2762.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NIST is seeking information on behalf of the
U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Government to support the
development of an implementation plan for the United States Government
National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology (USG
NSSCET). The USG NSSCET is intended to support and complement existing
private sector-led activities and plans, including the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) United States Standards Strategy
(USSS), with a focus on critical and emerging technology(ies) (CET).
The U.S. standards development system is unique because it is built
upon a wide variety of processes that are open, voluntary,
decentralized, and led by the private sector. These processes feature
openness to participation by materially interested stakeholders with
consensus-based decision making. Finalized standards are primarily
published by private sector standards organizations, not the U.S.
Government. The U.S. Government supports standards development
activities in accordance with the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Technical Barriers to Trade Committee decision that articulates
principles including transparency, openness, impartiality and
consensus, effectiveness, relevance, and coherence. The USG NSSCET
reinforces the U.S. Government's support of a private sector-led, open,
consensus-based international standards system, to which the U.S.
Government is an active stakeholder and participant. To inform the USG
NSSCET implementation, including how to best partner with relevant
stakeholders, NIST is requesting information that will support the
identification and prioritization of key activities that will optimize
the USG NSSCET implementation and further enhance the U.S. Government's
ability to support a private sector-led, open, consensus-based
international standards system. In addition to other agencies and
Departments, bureaus across the U.S. Department of Commerce are
involved in the USG NSSCET. They include the International Trade
Administration (ITA), the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
CET covered under the USG NSSCET include, but are not limited to:
Communication and Networking Technologies
Semiconductors and Microelectronics, including Computing,
Memory, and Storage Technologies
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Biotechnologies
Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Services
Digital Identity Infrastructure and Distributed Ledger
Technologies
Clean Energy Generation and Storage
Quantum Information Technologies
There are also specific applications of CET that departments and
agencies have determined will impact our global economy and national
security. These include, but are not limited to:
Automated and Connected Infrastructure
Biobanking
Automated, Connected, and Electrified Transportation
Critical Minerals Supply Chains
Cybersecurity and Privacy
Carbon Capture, Removal, Utilization, and Storage
A full list of CETs identified by the National Science and
Technology Council (NSTC) can be found https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/02-2022-Critical-and-Emerging-Technologies-List-Update.pdf.
The national interest in CET and associated areas of
standardization demands a new and urgent level of coordination and
effort. National policy priorities, as expressed in legislation and
other statements of policy, will require new ways for public sector and
private sector (i.e., industry, including start-ups and small- and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), academic community, and civil society
organizations) stakeholders to cooperate in order to advance U.S.
economic competitiveness and national security.
NIST is seeking comments on the following questions and encourages
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responses from the public, including key stakeholders from the private
sector (i.e., industry, including start-ups and SMEs, academic
community, and civil society organizations), standards developing
organizations (SDOs), and international partners. The questions reflect
the four Objectives in the USG NSSCET. However, the questions are not
intended to limit the topics that may be addressed. Responses may
include any topic believed to have implications for the implementation
of the USG NSSCET.
When responding, commenters may address the practices of their
organization(s) or a group of organizations with which they are
familiar. Commenters may also provide information about the type, size,
and location of the organization(s). Provision of such information is
optional and will not affect NIST's consideration.
General Questions
1. Are there potential benefits, opportunities, or risks associated
with increased U.S. participation in standards development activities
for CET?
2. What are the potential risks or implications of decreased U.S.
participation in standards development activities for CET?
3. What are the most important challenges faced by the private
sector (i.e., industry, including start-ups and small- and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs), academic community, and civil society
organizations) when participating in standards development activities
for CET, and how can these challenges be addressed?
USG NSSCET Objective 1: Investment
4. How can the U.S. Government establish policies that promote
standards development for CET as a critical component of U.S.
innovation culture?
5. How can the U.S. Government utilize Federal spending on research
and development to drive technical contributions for CET standards
development activities?
6. How can the U.S. Government facilitate the adoption of
standards-based CET by industry stakeholders, including start-ups and
small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)?
7. How can the U.S. Government better support publicly funded and
private research in standards development activities for CET?
USG NSSCET Objective 2: Participation
8. How can the U.S. Government increase the amount and consistency
of private sector (i.e., industry, including start-ups and small- and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), academic community, and civil society
organizations) engagement in standards development activities for CET?
9. How can the U.S. Government improve communications among the
public and private sector (i.e., industry, including start-ups and
small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), academic community, and
civil society organizations) to address potential participation gaps in
standards development activities for CET?
10. How can the U.S. Government foster early collaboration with
private sector (i.e., industry, including start-ups and small- and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), academic community, and civil society
organizations) stakeholders to identify standards for CET that would
encourage market and regulatory acceptance as needed? At what stage is
early collaboration most effective?
11. What roles do the academic community and civil society
organizations play in standards development activities for CET, and how
can they increase their contributions to a private sector-led system?
12. How can the U.S. Government better support state, local, and
tribal governments in participating in standards development activities
for CET?
USG NSSCET Objective 3: Workforce
13. How can the U.S. Government leverage existing or develop new
digital tools and resources that facilitate access to standards
development processes, and increase engagement by private sector (i.e.,
industry, including start-ups and small- and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs), academic community, and civil society organizations) CET
stakeholders?
14. How can the U.S. Government incentivize the modification of
existing curricula and/or the creation of new curricula, to include
faculty professional development, by educational institutions for
pedagogy to support standards development activities for CET?
15. What standards development activities for CET can U.S.
government and private sector (i.e., industry, including start-ups and
small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), academic community, and
civil society organizations) stakeholders promote or develop to
encourage increased participation by students and trainees?
16. How can the U.S. Government support both private sector and
public sector recognition for standards development expertise and how
can this recognition be utilized to increase standards development
activities for CET?
USG NSSCET Objective 4: Integrity and Inclusivity
17. How can the U.S. Government work with private sector (i.e.,
industry, including start-ups and small- and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs), academic community, and civil society organizations)
stakeholders to more effectively coordinate with international partners
and reinforce private sector-led standards development activities for
CET?
18. How should the U.S. Government share information on standards
development activities for CET with like-minded partners and allies?
19. What standards information and tools can the U.S. government
develop and promote to ensure U.S. exporters can compete in global
markets for CET?
20. How can the U.S. Government further advance the design and
implementation of technical assistance programs for CET that enable
broad and inclusive participation by developing countries in
international SDOs?
21. How can the U.S. Government work with international partners to
ensure that standards for CET are developed in a way that supports U.S.
interests, including a commitment to free and fair market competition
in which the best technologies come to market?
22. How can the U.S. Government make the United States a more
desirable location to hold international standards meetings, events,
and activities for CET?
Alicia Chambers,
NIST Executive Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2023-19245 Filed 9-6-23; 8:45 am]
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