SDO: ASTM International
James P. Olshefsky
Director, External Relations
100 Barr Harbor Drive
West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Phone: 610.832.9714
Fax: 610.832.9599
Website: http://www.astm.org/
Organizational Overview
ASTM International is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world-a trusted source for technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services. Known for their high technical quality and market relevancy, ASTM International standards have an important role in the information infrastructure that guides design, manufacturing and trade in the global economy.
ASTM International, originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), was formed in 1898. Today, ASTM continues to play a leadership role in addressing the standardization needs of the global marketplace. Known for its best in class practices for standards development and delivery, ASTM is at the forefront in the use of innovative technology to help its members do standards development work, while also increasing the accessibility of ASTM International standards to the world.
Scope of Standards Developing Activity
ASTM continues to be the standards forum of choice of a diverse range of industries that come together under the ASTM umbrella to solve standardization challenges. In recent years, stakeholders involved in issues ranging from safety in recreational aviation, to fiber optic cable installations in underground utilities, to homeland security, have come together under ASTM to set consensus standards for their industries.
Standards developed at ASTM are the work of over 30,000 ASTM members. These technical experts represent producers, users, consumers, government and academia from over 135 countries. Participation in ASTM International is open to all with a material interest, anywhere in the world.
The subjects encompassed for standardization are broad. Generally, ASTM develops standards on characteristics and performance of materials, products, systems and services. Its technical committees are involved currently in the following broad categories: 9 for "Ferrous Metals," 10 for "Nonferrous Metals," 23 for "Cementitous, Ceramic, Concrete and Masonry Materials," 33 for "Miscellaneous Materials," 41 for "Materials for Specific Applications," 4 for "Corrosion, Deterioration and Degradation of Materials," and 49 for "Miscellaneous Subjects." New committees have been and are continually formed at the request of interested and affected parties depending on priorities, resources, and needs for industry, manufacturing, commerce, health and safety, and environmental protection in order to meet the challenges and requirements on the national and international levels.
Quick Links
International Activities by Region
Africa
Teresa Cendrowska
100 Barr Harbor Drive
West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Phone: 610.832.9718
Email: [email protected]
Region-Specific Webpage:
http://www.astm.org/GLOBAL/
Initiated in 2001, ASTM International's MOU program promotes communication between ASTM International and national standards bodies worldwide, fostering awareness of the standardization systems of all parties involved. The program also facilitates the development of national standards that will aid each country's health, safety, environmental, and economic conditions. These agreements help avoid duplication of effort where possible and mutually promote the standards development activities of ASTM International and the national standards bodies participating in the program.
Established in 2005, the Standards Expert Program (SEP) is a key benefit offered to MOU signatories. Each year, through the SEP, ASTM offers to host up to three standards experts for a one-month period at ASTM headquarters. Experts participating in the Program from Africa included Margaret Lungu from the Zambia in 2006 and Adelaide Teimle Leigh from Ghana in 2009.
ASTM International offers its Technical and Professional Training Programs to several MOU signatories each year at a minimal cost. Each national standards body selects the program of most interest and local technical experts have the opportunity to attend a two- or three-day course taught by an ASTM technical expert. Recent Technical Assistance Training in Africa included a course on Building Codes and Standards in Zambia, July 2007; Gasoline: Specifications, Testing and Technology in South Africa, October 2008; and Textiles in Botswana in cooperation with The South African Development Community in December 2009.
Over the course of three days in May 2007, executives from the national standards bodies of 11 African countries met at ASTM International headquarters in West Conshohocken, Pa., for the Open House for Sub-Saharan Africa Standards Leaders. ASTM International sponsored the Open House in cooperation with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Executives from the national standards bodies of Botswana, Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe attended the Open House, which was held May 16-18. These executives were joined by representatives from ASTM International, ANSI, NIST, the United States Trade Representative’s office, the International Code Council (ICC), the American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the U.S. Department of Defense and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Representatives from each of these groups explained the roles their organizations play in the realm of international standardization.
Americas
Vanessa Corona
C/O Efiterm SA de CV, Polanco
Calderon de la Barca #358-302, Mexico CP 11550
Phone: +52 55 8589 9832
Email: [email protected]
Region-Specific Webpage:
http://www.astm.org/GLOBAL/
Vanessa Corona serves as contact administrator at the ASTM International Office in Mexico City, Mexico. Ms. Corona assists Luis Ordonez, director of the ASTM Latin American office, and is available to address inquiries on standards and related technical information as well as membership. Corona is also be able to provide training on effective participation in ASTM technical committees.
Initiated in 2001, ASTM International's MOU program promotes communication between ASTM International and national standards bodies worldwide, fostering awareness of the standardization systems of all parties involved. The program also facilitates the development of national standards that will aid each country's health, safety, environmental, and economic conditions. These agreements help avoid duplication of effort where possible and mutually promote the standards development activities of ASTM International and the national standards bodies participating in the program.
Established in 2005, the Standards Expert Program (SEP) is a key benefit offered to MOU signatories. Each year, through the SEP, ASTM offers to host up to three standards experts for a one-month period at ASTM headquarters. Experts participating in the Program from the Americas included Daniel Trillos from the Colombia in 2007; Patricia Castro Espinoza from Peru in 2008; and Ajani Blake from Jamaica in 2009.
ASTM International offers its Technical and Professional Training Programs to several MOU signatories each year at a minimal cost. Each national standards body selects the program of most interest and local technical experts have the opportunity to attend a two- or three-day course taught by an ASTM technical expert. Recent Technical Assistance Training in the Americas included a course on Textiles in Bolivia, February 2007; Gasoline: Specifications, Testing and Technology in Ecuador, February 2007; Cement and Concrete Standards in Jamaica, January 2008; Cement and Concrete Standards in Chile, October 2008; Major Testing Techniques for Plastics in Costa Rica, October 2008; and Textiles in Trinidad and Tobago, March 2009.
In November, 2001, ASTM International hosted a two-day open house at its Philadelphia-area headquarters. The event brought together leaders of the National Standards Bodies from Canada, as well as from countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Countries that sent representatives include: Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Asia Pacific
Teresa Cendrowska
100 Barr Harbor Drive
West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Phone: 610.832.9718
Email: [email protected]
Region-Specific Webpage:
http://www.astm.org/GLOBAL/
Initiated in 2001, ASTM International's MOU program promotes communication between ASTM International and national standards bodies worldwide, fostering awareness of the standardization systems of all parties involved. The program also facilitates the development of national standards that will aid each country's health, safety, environmental, and economic conditions. These agreements help avoid duplication of effort where possible and mutually promote the standards development activities of ASTM International and the national standards bodies participating in the program.
Established in 2005, the Standards Expert Program (SEP) is a key benefit offered to MOU signatories. Each year, through the SEP, ASTM offers to host up to three standards experts for a one-month period at ASTM headquarters. Experts participating in the Program from the Asia-Pacific region included Ari Wibowo from Indonesia in 2006; Nguyen Minh Bang Vietnam in 2006; and Jun-ho Kim from Korea in 2008.
ASTM International offers its Technical and Professional Training Programs to several MOU signatories each year at a minimal cost. Each national standards body selects the program of most interest and local technical experts have the opportunity to attend a two- or three-day course taught by an ASTM technical expert. Recent Technical Assistance Training in the Asia-Pacific region included a course on Gasoline: Specifications, Testing and Technology in Vietnam, May 2007; Gasoline: Specifications, Testing and Technology in Taiwan, April 2008; and Risk-Based Corrective Action for Chemical Releases in Mongolia, June 2008.
In September 2003, leaders of standards developing organizations from 16 nations gathered together at ASTM International Headquarters for an Open House for Asia Pacific Standards Leaders. The event was sponsored by ASME International, Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and ASTM International in cooperation with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
The result of the program was a frank and open interchange of ideas and concerns regarding the current and even the future state of international standardization.
China
Liu Fei
Suite 1907, East Tower, Twin Towers
B-12 Jianguomenwai Avenue
Chaoyang District, Beijing, PRC 100022
Phone: +86 10 5109 6033
Email: [email protected]
Region-Specific Webpage:
http://219.239.33.16/
Cooperative agreements were signed in 2003 between ASTM and the China National Institute of Standardization and in 2004 with the Shanghai Institute of Standardization. A memorandum of understanding was signed in 2004 with the Standards Administration of China. The agreements serve as a bridge between global enterprises and Chinese enterprises, and promote the circulation of goods between China and the rest of the world.
ASTM standards have found wide use across China in the development of many national standards and by numerous private enterprises. Over 500 ASTM standards are used as the basis for standards in China’s national portfolio. These standards cover many industries from steel and metals to petroleum and lubricants, from construction to textiles, from plastics to rubber products, and many more.
In 2006, ASTM hired its own chief representative in China, Mr. Liu Fei. Prior to joining ASTM, Liu Fei was the director of operations for the China Consortium on Standards and Conformity Assessment, of which ASTM International was a member. His responsibilities are to work with ASTM staff and technical committees to work with Chinese business and industry in the use of ASTM International standards.
Established in 2005, the Standards Expert Program (SEP) is a key benefit offered to MOU signatories. Each year, through the SEP, ASTM offers to host up to three standards experts for a one-month period at ASTM headquarters. Experts participating in the Program from China included He Ting in 2005 and Pan Beichen in 2009.
Europe
Jeffrey Grove
1828 L. Street NW, Suite 906
Washington, DC 20036
Phone : (202) 223-8505
Email: [email protected]
Region-Specific Webpage:
http://www.astm.org/GLOBAL/
ASTM has had a close relationship with several European standards bodies for years. ASTM held its Board of Directors meeting in Berlin, Germany in 2004 and in Stockholm, Sweden in 2008. Even though the US and Europe have different policies related to standards development, they strive to work together in a cooperative manner. In 2007, ASTM's Board agreed to increase ASTM’s interaction and participation with European authorities over a three year period.
During ASTM International committee meetings held October 2009, in Prague, Czech Republic, ASTM International partnered with Underwriters Laboratories to sponsor a standards and conformity assessment training program. Organized in collaboration with the Office of the U.S. Standards Attaché at the U.S. Mission to the European Union, the program was designed to provide European-based U.S. Commercial Service officers and specialists responsible for Germany, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Sweden, Turkey and Poland, and the non-EU country of Russia with a deeper understanding of standards and conformity assessment issues important to their efforts in promoting trade and export opportunities in the European market.
India
Teresa Cendrowska
100 Barr Harbor Drive
West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Phone: 610.832.9718
Email: [email protected]
Region-Specific Webpage:
http://www.astm.org/GLOBAL/
In 2009, technical advisor Mr. Jayakumar Gopalakrishnan, began serving as an ASTM International consultant in India to promote and enhance the awareness and use of ASTM International standards and related products and services relevant to the textile and personal protective equipment industries.
In August 2009, India's Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET) and ASTM International signed a letter of implementation for a training and collaboration program scheduled to take place in November 2009. Eight technical experts from several CIPET campuses attended an intensive two-week program that included training at ASTM headquarters and participation in the November committee week meetings of Committee D20 on Plastics.
ASTM International continues to welcome members from around the world, including India. ASTM also now has over 250 student members from India. In 2003, ASTM signed an Memorandum of Understanding with neighboring country, Sri Lanka and in 2008 with Pakistan and Nepal.
Middle East
James P. Olshefsky
100 Barr Harbor Drive
West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Phone: 610.832.9714
Email: [email protected]
Region-Specific Webpage:
http://www.astm.org/GLOBAL/
Initiated in 2001, ASTM International's MOU program promotes communication between ASTM International and national standards bodies worldwide, fostering awareness of the standardization systems of all parties involved. The program also facilitates the development of national standards that will aid each country's health, safety, environmental, and economic conditions. These agreements help avoid duplication of effort where possible and mutually promote the standards development activities of ASTM International and the national standards bodies participating in the program.
Established in 2005, the Standards Expert Program (SEP) is a key benefit offered to MOU signatories. Each year, through the SEP, ASTM offers to host up to three standards experts for a one-month period at ASTM headquarters. Experts participating in the Program from Middle East included Mohammed A. Al-Dablan from the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) in Saudi Arabia in 2007 and Naphtali Pollak from Israel in 2009.
ASTM International offers its Technical and Professional Training Programs to several MOU signatories each year at a minimal cost. Each national standards body selects the program of most interest and local technical experts have the opportunity to attend a two- or three-day course taught by an ASTM technical expert. Recent Technical Assistance Training in the Middle East region included a course on Gasoline, Diesel Fuel and Jet Fuel in Jordan, May 2007; Flammability of Wearing Apparel and Flammability of Children's Sleepwear in Israel, May 2008; Development and Validation/Statistics in Standards and Standards Development in Egypt, October 2008; ASTM Cement and Concrete Standards in Saudi Arabia, November 2008; ASTM Cement and Concrete Standards in Qatar, November 2008; ASTM Standards for Asbestos Control in Bahrain, October 2009; and Concrete and Cement Standards in Jordan, October 2009.
In July 2005, 62 top executives from standards developing organizations from Morocco to India to the United States gathered for an Open House for Middle East, North Africa and South Asia Standards Leaders. The event, which was held in cooperation with NIST and the American National Standards Institute, proved to be a thought-provoking exchange of ideas that touched on many major issues currently confronting the world of modern international standardization.
The countries participating in the dialogue were Bahrain, India, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Yemen. Representatives from the Standardization Organization of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, a collective of standards leaders from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, also attended.
