|
U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 271. Findings and purposes
(a) The Congress finds and declares the following:
(1) The future well-being of the United States economy depends
on a strong manufacturing base and requires continual
improvements in manufacturing technology, quality control, and
techniques for ensuring product reliability and
cost-effectiveness.
(2) Precise measurements, calibrations, and standards help
United States industry and manufacturing concerns compete
strongly in world markets.
(3) Improvements in manufacturing and product technology depend
on fundamental scientific and engineering research to develop (A)
the precise and accurate measurement methods and measurement
standards needed to improve quality and reliability, and (B) new
technological processes by which such improved methods may be
used in practice to improve manufacturing and to assist industry
to transfer important laboratory discoveries into commercial
products.
(4) Scientific progress, public safety, and product
compatibility and standardization also depend on the development
of precise measurement methods, standards, and related basic
technologies.
(5) The National Bureau of Standards since its establishment
has served as the Federal focal point in developing basic
measurement standards and related technologies, has taken a lead
role in stimulating cooperative work among private industrial
organizations in efforts to surmount technological hurdles, and
otherwise has been responsible for assisting in the improvement
of industrial technology.
(6) The Federal Government should maintain a national science,
engineering, and technology laboratory which provides measurement
methods, standards, and associated technologies and which aids
United States companies in using new technologies to improve
products and manufacturing processes.
(7) Such national laboratory also should serve industry, trade
associations, State technology programs, labor organizations,
professional societies, and educational institutions by
disseminating information on new basic technologies including
automated manufacturing processes.
(b) It is the purpose of this chapter -
(1) to rename the National Bureau of Standards as the National
Institute of Standards and Technology and to modernize and
restructure that agency to augment its unique ability to enhance
the competitiveness of American industry while maintaining its
traditional function as lead national laboratory for providing
the measurements, calibrations, and quality assurance techniques
which underpin United States commerce, technological progress,
improved product reliability and manufacturing processes, and
public safety;
(2) to assist private sector initiatives to capitalize on
advanced technology;
(3) to advance, through cooperative efforts among industries,
universities, and government laboratories, promising research and
development projects, which can be optimized by the private
sector for commercial and industrial applications; and
(4) to promote shared risks, accelerated development, and
pooling of skills which will be necessary to strengthen America's
manufacturing industries.
|
|