The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is supporting the re-launch of www.StandardsPortal.org, an online resource that facilitates international trade globally, with in-depth information on China and India, by helping companies and policy officials understand the standards, regulatory and conformance related technical requirements they face around the world. The portal is maintained by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI); NIST is supplying the funding for redevelopment and maintenance for the portal.
Originally released in 2006 to support trade between the United States and the People's Republic of China, the newly redesigned StandardsPortal helps exporters navigate the standards, regulatory and conformance systems in foreign markets. Specifically, it provides answers to such questions as what requirements need to be met to compete in a given target market, how a company can get early warning about requirement changes, and how a company can ensure that its perspectives are heard and considered in the development of voluntary consensus standards, requirements and policies that could affect that company's business.
StandardsPortal includes a searchable directory of U.S.-based standards developing organizations and trade associations, including each organization's contact information, scope of standards development and conformity assessment work, and international activities organized by geographic region.
The portal also includes an International Trade and Investment Toolbox, which provides guidelines, archives and information specifically for the U.S. stakeholders engaged in global trade activities. It includes a speaker's package for performing international outreach and information packages on initiating business development in China and Europe.
StandardsPortal was created through a partnership between the American National Standards Institute, the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China, the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Confederation of Indian Industry.