Subject and Course Guides: Standards (Engineering & Industry): U.S. Military & Government Standards

Government Standards

U.S. Government standards are mandatory, which is much different than industry standards. Government standards relating to procedure, compatibility and manufacture, including the military, are mandatory. This is especially true for government contracts and supply. Government standards originate with various federal and state agencies.

Industry standards are voluntary, but when they exist, they must be followed. Civil and criminal laws may govern industry standards especially when the standards were not or are not met.

Government Standards Entities

Code of Federal Regulations
"The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. It is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation. Each volume of the CFR is updated once each calendar year and is issued on a quarterly basis."

Military Standards

DTIC Online This link opens in a new window
U.S. Defense Technical Information Center's gateway to unclassified technical reports and specifications. Formerly DITC Public STINET.
U.S. Defense Technical Information Center's technical reports and specifications, mostly in fields related to aerospace engineering and aerodynamics. STINET MultiSearch allows simultaneous searching of up to 34 databases including NASA, NIH, DOE, EPA, FDA, and USDA.

U.S. Dept. of Defense. Defense Standardization Program
"identify, influence, develop, manage, and provide access to standardization processes, products, and services for warfighters, the acquisition community, and the logistics community to promote interoperability, reduce total ownership costs, and sustain readiness"

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