It is important to the U.S. balance of trade that international standards for nondestructive testing (NDT) be compatible with the practices used in this country. This need is becoming more critical as the European Community approaches its goal of a single market with uniform standards. Unfortunately, the private sector of the U.S. economy does not appear to have adequately recognized this need, nor has the public sector faced up to it, so that U.S. participation in the development of international standards for NDT has been less than adequate. The nature and the status of this participation are explained and discussed.