NIST and AIST/Janpan hold information exchange

The United States and Japan held the Second Joint Information Exchange Forum on standards and conformity assessment issues on Jan. 9-10, 1997, at NIST. These dialogues are aimed at building lasting relationships in mutual activities in the Asia-Pacific region.

A NIST spokesperson reviewed the NIST plan for implementing the Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1996, which requires NIST to play a leadership role in coordinating standards and conformity assessment activities with Federal, state, and local government agencies, and with the private sector to meet the needs of U.S. industry in the global marketplace. She also gave an overview on the proposed National Council for Laboratory Accreditation, a cooperative partnership between the public and private sectors to provide a comprehensive U.S. laboratory accreditation infrastructure.

The Japanese delegation described recent developments in their standardization activities and the current status of their "Eighth Long-term Standardization Plan." They presented background information on Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), including the administration of the JIS mark approval system for mining and industrial products. JIS standards are voluntary national standards, similar to ANSI standards. They are developed in recognition of the increased importance of international standards in accordance with the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement of the World Trade Organization. A Japan spokesperson expressed their intention to develop the JIS mark for use in mutual recognition agreements between Japan and its trading partners.

Both the U.S. and Japan participants described their involvement in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation and their national laboratory accreditation programs, NVLAP and the Japan Calibration Service System. They also exchanged information on management systems applications, registration, and the accreditation of registrars as related to ISO 9000 and ISO 14000. An ANSI official gave an update related to the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission in Geneva. There were updates on the NIST fastener program and the criteria for accrediting foreign entities under the Fastener Quality Act of 1990.