The National Institute of Standards (NIST) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding. The revised memorandum reiterates the NIST and ANSI commitment toward strengthening a national voluntary consensus standards system in the United States, enhancing U.S. global competitiveness.

The agreement reconfirms NIST's recognition of ASNI as:

• The U.S. member body of the International Organization of Standardization;
  
• Sponsor of the U.S. National Committee to the International Electrotechnical Commission and;
  
• The U.S. representative to and member body of various private sector regional standards organizations.

  In return, ANSI recognizes NIST's responsibility for coordinating federal activities in voluntary standards and conformity assessment.

  The signing is one of the first acts toward implementing the recently established National Standards Strategy (NSS). The strategy was developed under ANSI's leadership as a means to strengthen U.S. concerns in international standards. The original Memorandum of Understanding between NIST and ANSI was signed in 1995.

  Motion Industries Announces Management Changes
  Motion Industries (Birmingham, AL) has made management changes. Jeff Rouse has been named vice president and general manager of the company's division in the eastern states. Jim Randazzo has been named regional manager of the north division. Motion Industries is a distributor of bearings; mechanical, electrical and fluid replacement parts and hose products.