| SIA urges U.S. government to help develop voluntary standards for electronic security equipment |
The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 directed federal agencies to use voluntary consensus standards developed by private sector organizations where legal and practicable and to participate in the development of those standards when appropriate.
"However, as a leading proponent for developing and advancing standards in the security industry in areas including access control, digital video and identity management, SIA is very concerned about the lack of agency compliance with the Act's requirements as they relate to the interoperability of disparate electronic and physical security system components," association CEO Richard Chace wrote in the letter. "Increased government participation in this area would be consistent with the administration's science and technology and homeland security goals and would be a prudent use of taxpayer dollars."
The letter, which was sent to Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag and Office of Science and Technology Policy Director John Holdren, asks that guidance be issued to increase federal government participation in standards development activities.
"Such action would be consistent with existing law, would produce significant savings for taxpayers and would speed the development of innovative products that will protect critical infrastructure," Chace wrote.