Revised OMB Circular A-119 Promotes Federal Participation in Private Sector Standards Development
April 1997
The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued
a proposed revision to OMB Circular A-119, Federal Participation
in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and
in Conformity Assessment Activities, in the December 27, 1996
Federal Register. CABO believes that the revised OMB Circular,
which implements P.L. 104-113, will result in much greater participation
by federal agencies in the private sector standards development
process because federal agencies, when issuing or revising a
regulation, would be required to review for use, existing voluntary
consensus standards. CABO is also encouraged that this revised
circular can strengthen efforts to coordinate federal, state
and local standards activities and conformity assessment activities
with the private sector because it directs the National Institute
of Standards and Technology (NIST) to promote this effort.
Although an agency may choose not to use an existing voluntary
consensus standard if such use is inconsistent with applicable
law or otherwise impractical, they must: issue a statement which
identifies the existing standard; provide a preliminary explanation
for why such a standard would not be used; and invite the public
to comment and to explain why such a standard or an alternative
voluntary consensus standard should be used. If an agency is
unable to identify an existing voluntary consensus standard,
they must issue a statement which invites the public to identify
such standards and to explain why such standards should be used.
Revised Circular Reflects Need for Greater Coordination
Among Federal Agencies In addition to encouraging greater
participation by federal employees in the voluntary consensus
standards process, the revised OMB Circular also reflects the
need for greater coordination among federal agencies prior to
their participation on technical committees. This coordination
is now explicitly made the responsibility of Agency Standards
Executives and calls for the establishment of procedures to ensure
that participants express views that are consistent with agency
views and missions and that a single unified view is presented
where feasible.
Opportunity Now Exists to Coordinate at Federal Level Another
important revision to the Circular, which CABO strongly supports,
directs NIST to issue guidance to federal agencies in order to
promote the coordination of federal, state and local standards
activities and conformity assessment activities with the private
sector. For many years, the model code organizations, through
the National Evaluation Service, have worked toward the elimination
of duplicate product approval requirements at the state and local
level with much success. The opportunity will now exist to coordinate
this effort at the federal level.
CABO Supports Revision
CABO is optimistic that this revision to OMB Circular A-119 will be very
helpful in allowing federal agencies to achieve greater reliance
on voluntary standards and conformity assessment bodies and
lessened dependence on in-house regulations. Anyone who would
like to obtain a copy of the entire proposed revision to OMB
Circular A-119 should contact CABO.
