Department of Commerce - Definition and Overview

The United States Department of Commerce is a Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with promoting economic growth. It was originally created as the United States Department of Commerce and Labor on February 14, 1903. It was subsequently renamed to the Department of Commerce by President Taft on March 4, 1913, and its bureaus and agencies specializing in labor were transferred to the new Department of Labor.

The mission of the department is to "promote job creation and improved living standards for all Americans by creating an infrastructure that promotes economic growth, technological competitiveness, and sustainable development." Among its tasks are gathering economic and demographic data for business and government decision-making, issuing patents and trademarks, and helping to set industrial standards.

It is administered by the United States Secretary of Commerce. From 1903 to 1913, it was administered by the United States Secretary of Commerce and Labor.

Operating units

• Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
• Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA)
  • Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
  • Bureau of the Census
• Economic Development Administration (EDA)
• International Trade Administration (ITA)
• Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
• Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)
• Technology Administration (TA)
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
  • National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
  • Office of Technology Policy (OTP)

External links

• United States Department of Commerce Official Website (http://www.commerce.gov/)

United States Federal Executive Departments
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