The International Alliance for Interoperability, which promotes uniform data standards for building products and systems, announced May 30 that it is becoming part of the National Institute of Building Sciences.

IAI is not changing its name, but is now a council in NIBS. Other councils work in fields such as building seismic safety and facilities information. IAI Chairman Norbert W. Young Jr. says other councils have "flourished under NIBS and gain advantages from shared oversight, staffing and costs." The merger should similarly benefit IAI.

NIBS is a Washington, D.C.-based, nonprofit, nongovernmental organization created by Congress. It convenes government, industry, labor and consumer interests to address building industry needs. IAI is a member organization of design and construction firms, software developers and manufacturers, among others, whose goal is interoperability through uniform data standards. Young also is president of McGraw-Hill Construction, which includes ENR.