The National Institute of Standards and Technology National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), agency of the United States Department of Commerce. The NIST was formerly known as the National Bureau of Standards (NBS); the name change occurred in January 1989. The NBS was established by Congress in 1901 as the central measurement laboratory of the federal government. The institute is the focal point in the United States for assuring maximum application of the physical and engineering sciences to the development of technology in industry and commerce. It comprises the National Measurement Laboratory, the National Engin