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What is the National
Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST)?

What is the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), founded in 1901, is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. NIST is one of the nation's oldest physical science laboratories, and is a non-regulatory agency providing standards, measurement, and technology for a broad range of technologies.

Numerous products and services rely on the technology, measurement and standards provided by the NIST including: smart electric power grids, electronic health records, atomic clocks, advanced nanomaterials, computer chips, and global communication networks.

The mission of NIST is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology to enhance economic security and improve the quality of life of U.S. citizens and residents. The core competencies of NIST are measurement science, rigorous traceability, and the development and use of standards.

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