August 1, 2024

NEMA Director of Regulatory and Industry Affairs Todd Sims today issued the following statement after unanimous committee passage of the Promoting United States Leadership in Standards Act of 2024. The legislation passed through the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation:

“The bipartisan Promoting United States Leadership in Standards Act, introduced by Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), would advance U.S. competitiveness globally in the development of the next generation of standards. As a Standards Development Organization with a 100-year legacy of developing standards that advance innovative, world-changing electrical products and equipment, NEMA applauds this important, unanimous vote by the Committee.

“As the proliferation of AI transforms life and industries around the globe, it also presents unprecedented challenges for standards development. The electroindustry is pleased that the bill includes NEMA’s recommendations for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to support U.S. leadership in standards development for AI and critical and emerging technologies, including creation of a web portal to enable stakeholders to easily navigate and engage in international standardization efforts and the establishment of a pilot program to award grants to support standards meetings in the United States.

“NEMA strongly believes in the importance of private sector and government collaboration in standards development and will continue to actively engage in the legislative process. We look forward to the bill being taken up by the full Senate as soon as possible, and we strongly encourage the House to introduce and pass a companion bill to cement U.S. leadership in international standards setting activities, particularly for emerging and AI technologies.”