ASTM International - Global Cooperation and ASTM International

Global Cooperation/Cooperative Training/CIPET

CIPET Overview

From 2 through 15 November 2009, ASTM International hosted a delegation of eight technical experts from the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET) headquartered in Chennai, India with 14 campuses throughout India. During this Technical Training Program, the first of its kind to be offered, the delegation focused on Committee D20 on Plastics and its standards. Prior to arrival the experts participated in a virtual orientation training session to learn about ASTM's electronic tools and the structure and work of Committee D20. Upon arrival the delegates launched into a concentrated training program about the U.S. standardization system, proficiency testing and training programs related to D20's work and related publications. The delegates also came prepared with a list of Indian standards that reference ASTM International D20 standards and suggestions for revisions to existing standards as well as new work item proposals.

Training also included visits to Washington, DC where the delegates met Holly Vineyard, the Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration's Deputy Assistance Secretary for Africa, the Middle East and South Asia and visited the Office of International and Academic Affairs at the National Institute of Standards and Technology as well as the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum within the Embassy of India. Throughout the two-week program, field trips provided practical information on the application of ASTM standards for trade and new technology and the benefits of participating in ASTM. Site visits took place at the DuPont Experimental Station, Tinius-Olsen and Arkema, Inc.

The highlight of the trip was the delegations' attendance at the November Committee Week meetings of Committee D20 in Atlanta, GA. Attendance at meetings allowed the group to witness the ASTM consensus process in action and afforded the opportunity for presentation of proposals for revisions and new work items as well as a tutorial about CIPET. As Shrikant Yeshwant Shirali, Chief Manager, stated, "Committee D20 meetings at Atlanta, GA was very useful as it put us into the real-time situation...."

Deputy director Sania Akhtar summarized the training program well when she noted that, "The program was very well designed and executed meticulously...the program [was] very effective in establishing a dialogue between the two organizations." Going forward the delegates and members of D20 will lead revisions to two D20 standards, the review of six existing standards, the development of three new standards, evaluate the possibility of participating in the Intralaboratory Study program and assist in development of a proposal for a new activity.

Funding for the program was provided by the Indian government with additional support from ASTM International.

Training Program Timeline

November 2-3

ASTM staff held an extensive orientation for the delegation at ASTM International headquarters with an emphasis on the activities of Committee D20 on Plastics.

November 4

The ASTM International Washington D.C. staff coordinated visits with the U.S. Department of Commerce – International Trade Administration and National Institute of Standards and Technology

November 5

The delegation continued their visit to Washington, meeting with the Indo US Science and Technology Foundation and later traveling to the DuPont Experimental Station in Wilmington, DE to discuss renewably sourced materials and the use of ASTM standards in programs of interest.

November 6

The delegation conducted a site visit to ASTM company member Tinius Olsen which is a leading specialist manufacturer and supplier of static tension and compression materials testing machines. The delegation also received in-depth training on the ASTM process to prepare for the D20 Committee meetings which included a virtual session with a key D20 member.

November 9-11

The delegation attended ASTM November Committee Week meetings in Atlanta, GA. The visit gave CIPET participants the opportunity to meet and work with members of the D20 Committee, witness the ASTM consensus process first hand, and allowed them to propose their own revisions.

November 12

Upon return to Pennsylvania, the delegation conducted a site visit to company member Arkema, Inc. which is a producer of industrial chemicals and performance products like technical polymers, specialty chemical organic peroxides and additives. Back at headquarters, the delegation participated in a debriefing session on the training program.

November 13

The training debriefing continued and each member of the delegation began the process of preparing new work item proposals. The training was concluded with a celebratory banquet.

		Global Cooperation Global Cooperation/Cooperative Training/CIPET CIPET Overview Photo Archive From 2 through 15 November 2009, ASTM International hosted a delegation of eight technical experts from the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET) headquartered in Chennai, India with 14 campuses throughout India. During this Technical Training Program, the first of its kind to be offered, the delegation focused on Committee D20 on Plastics and its standards. Prior to arrival the experts participated in a virtual orientation training session to learn about ASTM's electronic tools and the structure and work of Committee D20. Upon arrival the delegates launched into a concentrated training program about the U.S. standardization system, proficiency testing and training programs related to D20's work and related publications. The delegates also came prepared with a list of Indian standards that reference ASTM International D20 standards and suggestions for revisions to existing standards as well as new work item proposals. Training also included visits to Washington, DC where the delegates met Holly Vineyard, the Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration's Deputy Assistance Secretary for Africa, the Middle East and South Asia and visited the Office of International and Academic Affairs at the National Institute of Standards and Technology as well as the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum within the Embassy of India. Throughout the two-week program, field trips provided practical information on the application of ASTM standards for trade and new technology and the benefits of participating in ASTM. Site visits took place at the DuPont Experimental Station, Tinius-Olsen and Arkema, Inc. The highlight of the trip was the delegations' attendance at the November Committee Week meetings of Committee D20 in Atlanta, GA. Attendance at meetings allowed the group to witness the ASTM consensus process in action and afforded the opportunity for presentation of proposals for revisions and new work items as well as a tutorial about CIPET. As Shrikant Yeshwant Shirali, Chief Manager, stated, "Committee D20 meetings at Atlanta, GA was very useful as it put us into the real-time situation...." Deputy director Sania Akhtar summarized the training program well when she noted that, "The program was very well designed and executed meticulously...the program [was] very effective in establishing a dialogue between the two organizations." Going forward the delegates and members of D20 will lead revisions to two D20 standards, the review of six existing standards, the development of three new standards, evaluate the possibility of participating in the Intralaboratory Study program and assist in development of a proposal for a new activity. Funding for the program was provided by the Indian government with additional support from ASTM International. Training Program Timeline November 2-3 ASTM staff held an extensive orientation for the delegation at ASTM International headquarters with an emphasis on the activities of Committee D20 on Plastics. November 4 The ASTM International Washington D.C. staff coordinated visits with the U.S. Department of Commerce – International Trade Administration and National Institute of Standards and Technology November 5 The delegation continued their visit to Washington, meeting with the Indo US Science and Technology Foundation and later traveling to the DuPont Experimental Station in Wilmington, DE to discuss renewably sourced materials and the use of ASTM standards in programs of interest. November 6 The delegation conducted a site visit to ASTM company member Tinius Olsen which is a leading specialist manufacturer and supplier of static tension and compression materials testing machines. The delegation also received in-depth training on the ASTM process to prepare for the D20 Committee meetings which included a virtual session with a key D20 member. November 9-11 The delegation attended ASTM November Committee Week meetings in Atlanta, GA. The visit gave CIPET participants the opportunity to meet and work with members of the D20 Committee, witness the ASTM consensus process first hand, and allowed them to propose their own revisions. November 12 Upon return to Pennsylvania, the delegation conducted a site visit to company member Arkema, Inc. which is a producer of industrial chemicals and performance products like technical polymers, specialty chemical organic peroxides and additives. Back at headquarters, the delegation participated in a debriefing session on the training program. November 13 The training debriefing continued and each member of the delegation began the process of preparing new work item proposals. The training was concluded with a celebratory banquet.