National Institute of Standards and Technology

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce responsible for the standardization of weights and measures, timekeeping, and navigation. Established by an act of Congress in 1901, the agency works closely with the U.S. Naval Observatory and the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures in Paris to ensure coordinated universal time.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Robert Curley.
Citation Information
Article Title: National Institute of Standards and Technology
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 20 March 2023
URL: https://www.britannica.comhttps://www.britannica.com/topic/National-Institute-of-Standards-and-Technology
Access Date: November 21, 2024