Sec. 64.1700  Purpose and scope.

    The purpose of this subpart is to implement the Telecommunications 
Act of 1996 which amended the Communications Act by creating section 
273(d)(5), 47 U.S.C. 273(d)(5). Section 273(d) sets forth procedures to 
be followed by non-accredited standards development organizations when 
these organizations set industry-wide standards and generic requirements 
for telecommunications equipment or customer premises equipment. The 
statutory procedures allow outside parties to fund and participate in 
setting the organization's standards and require the organization and 
the parties to develop a process for resolving any technical disputes. 
In cases where all parties cannot agree to a mutually satisfactory 
dispute resolution process, section 273(d)(5) requires the Commission to 
prescribe a dispute resolution process.