National Institute of Standards and Technology
Chemical Sciences Division. Creating Reliable Measurement Standards
NIST serves a key role in the US Measurement System (USMS) by providing its stakeholders with measurement methods and tools to anchor the USMS to the International System of Units (SI). This part of the NIST Mission is unique to NIST and the other national metrology institutes around the world. The NIST Chemical Sciences Division (CSD) fulfils this function in chemical measurement science by developing reference materials and unbiased measurements methods, administering quality assurance programs, advancing research, and other means. Another unique aspect of NIST is that heavy emphasis is placed on accuracy and meaningful estimates of uncertainty, necessitating advanced analytical apparatuses, techniques, and statistical methods. This perspective is in deep contrast to much of the analytical chemistry world, where the goals are simplicity and high sample throughput.
