Information Technology Industry Council

The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) [1] is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association that represents companies from the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. As an advocacy organization, ITI works to influence policy issues aimed at encouraging innovation and promoting global competitiveness.[2]

Ars Technica has described the Information Technology Industry Council as "a lobbying group with a membership list that includes almost all the heavy-hitters of the tech world".[3] In 2006, InformationWeek's Digital Life Weblog called it "a lobbying group of 40 of the most powerful tech firms, including Cisco, Dell, eBay, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle SAP, and Sun".[4]

ITI works to help shape policy pertaining to tax, trade, talent, security, access, and sustainability issues for its member companies through its three main divisions: Environment and Sustainability, Global Policy, and Government Relations. ITI further supports its members by organizing industry-wide consensus on policy issues and providing access to global markets.[5]

Dean C. Garfield is the current President and Chief Executive Officer of ITI.[6][7][8][9]

According to its website, it was founded in 1916 in Chicago as the "National Association of Office Appliance Manufacturers", renamed the "Office Equipment Manufacturers Institute" in 1929, and became the "Business Equipment Manufacturers Association" (BEMA) in 1961.[10] In 1973, it became the "Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturers Association" (CBEMA), before receiving its current name in 1994.[10]

Environment and Sustainability Division

ITI’s Environment and Sustainability division focuses on energy efficiency. Internationally, ITI engages with product stewardship and electronics recycling, product design and materials restrictions, energy efficiency and climate change, and environmentally preferable purchasing.[11]

According to the Basel Action Network, a "non-governmental charitable organization working to combat the export of toxic waste, toxic technology and toxic products from industrialized societies to developing countries," the ITI has also proposed exemptions to international regulation of e-waste that "would allow untested or non-functional electronic waste, often containing toxic lead, cadmium, mercury and brominated flame retardants, to be considered a non-waste and subject to free-trade in many circumstances so long as the exporter can claim that that the old equipment might be ‘repairable.’" [12]

ITI’s Environmental Leadership Council is a separate membership entity that represents principal manufacturers of information technology equipment, wireless and consumer electronics devices, and other electronic and high-tech products and systems.

Government Relations Division

ITI promotes the interface between its member companies and policymakers and thought leaders. In order to accomplish this, it facilitates meetings with key policy individuals at ITI, on Capitol Hill, and with the Administration.[13]

ITI works to pinpoint annual policy priorities for the ICT industry. The association works to help shape policy development for corporate tax, global market access, health IT, intellectual property, STEM education and workforce policy and telecommunications.

Global Policy Division

ITI’s Global Policy division works to maintain and promote market access for the ICT industry. ITI collaborates with the U.S. Trade Representative, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of State, and U.S. embassies abroad to address expanding global market access. ITI also fosters strong relationships with domestic member company representatives and local industry associations to further its international trade policy priorities.

ITI’s Global Policy division targets accessibility, technical standards, regulatory compliance, international trade policy, cybersecurity and China policy, as specific issue areas.[14]

ITI sponsors the International Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITS)[15] and has provided funding for the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.[3]

Member companies

ITI member companies include:[16]

References

  1. ↑ "Information Technology Industry Council Home Page". ITI. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  2. ↑ "May 17, 2010 article in The Hill highlighting ITI's recognition of Rep, Mccaul as legislator of the year". ITI. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  3. 1 2 John Timmer: IT group: stimulus money needed for broadband, smart grid Ars Technica, January 8, 2009
  4. ↑ "Big IT Takes Step To Influence Tech Policy In U.S.", InformationWeek, March 29, 2006
  5. ↑ "Background Information on ITI". pspcentral.org. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  6. ↑ "Dean Garfield Biography from Huffington Post". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  7. ↑ "May 10, 2010 article in CFO.com Tech CFOs Eye Role in Policy Debates". CFO.com. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  8. ↑ "May 5, 2010 op-ed in Politico, High Tech Will Help Spur Economic Recovery". Politico. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  9. ↑ "Tech Daily Dose, Exec Touts Role IT Is Playing To Help Economy". National Journal. 22 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  10. 1 2 History of ITI Itic.org, retrieved August 12, 2010
  11. ↑ "New York's E Waste Legislation". Environmental Leader. June 1, 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  12. ↑ "Electronics Industry Lobbies to Classify e-Waste as non-Waste to allow Export to Developing Countries". Basel Action Network. May 3, 2013. Retrieved 2014-10-12.
  13. ↑ "Tech Daily Dose, Tech Groups prepare lobbying blitz". National Journal. March 19, 2009. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  14. ↑ "USITO Testifies on China's Compliance with its WTO Commitments". tiaonline.org. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  15. ↑
  16. ↑ "ITI Member Companies". itic.org. Retrieved 2010-08-17.

External links

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