About the Standards In Trade (SIT) Workshop Program The Standards in Trade Workshops are a major activity of the Global Standards and Information Group (GSIG) in the NIST Standards Services Division (SSD).The workshops are designed to provide timely information to foreign standards officials on U.S. practices in standards and conformity assessment. Participants are introduced to U.S. technology and principles in metrology, standards development and application, and conformity assessment systems. Each workshop is a one week program which offers a comprehensive overview of the roles of the U.S. government, private sector, and regional and international organizations involved in standards development and conformity assessment practices. Specific workshop objectives are to: - familiarize participants with U.S. technology and practices in metrology, standardization, and conformity assessment;
- describe and understand the roles of the U.S. government and the private sector in developing and implementing standards; and
- develop professional contacts as a basis for strengthening technical ties and enhancing trade.
The basic workshop agenda includes briefings and panel discussions with private sector and U.S. Government participants, followed by questions and answer opportunities, NIST laboratory visits, and field site visits. A forum is held on the last day of the workshop to identify technical issues in standards and conformity assessment that might be considered technical barriers to trade. Participants consider strategies for solving the problems to enhance trade between the United States and the invited countries. |
