T

he National Institute of Standards and Technology was established in 1988 by Congress to "assist industry in the development of technology... needed to improve product quality, to modernize manufacturing processes, to ensure product reliability... and to facilitate rapid commercialization... of products based on new scientific discoveries."

NIST, originally founded as the National Bureau of Standards in 1901, works to strengthen U.S. industry's competitiveness; advance science and engineering; and improve public health, safety, and the environment. One of the agency's basic functions is to develop, maintain, and retain custody of the national standards of measurement, and provide the means and methods for comparing standards used in science, engineering, manufacturing, commerce, industry, and education with the standards adopted or recognized by the Federal Government.

As an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department's Technology Administration, NIST conducts basic and applied research in the physical sciences and engineering, and develops measurement techniques, test methods, standards, and related services. The Institute does generic and precompetitive work on new and advanced technologies. NIST's research facilities are located at Gaithersburg, MD 20899, and at Boulder, CO 80303. Major technical operating units and their principal activities are listed below. For more information contact the Publications and Program Inquiries Desk, 301-975-3058.

FOREWORD

This document updates information contained in the 1996 Edition of NIST SP 903, Directory of U.S. Private Sector Product Certification Programs. It is one of a series of publications designed to provide information on national, regional, and international organizations that participate in standards-related activities. This directory includes 122 entries on organizations engaging in product certification activities. Entries describe: the type and purpose of each organization, the nature of the activity, products certified, standards used, certification requirements, any accreditation or recognition by a U.S. or foreign government agency or by the private sector, availability of services, methods of cost determination, and other relevant details. Where available, a representation of the organization's mark is included with its entry, as well as a pictorial index of all such marks.

The information contained in this directory is based primarily on information provided by each organization, and therefore reflects the organization's view of its own activities. Users of these certification services are encouraged to review and compare the offered services and to select the program most appropriate to their needs.

This volume supports an effort by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to provide information related to private sector activities in the area of conformity assessment. It is designed to serve the needs of federal agencies and standards writers for information on U.S. private sector certification programs. Manufacturers, engineers, specifiers, purchasing agents, and others may also find this directory of value.