First Things First

ASTM holds to certain basic values that tell us who we are, what we believe in, and what we stand for. They define us. For instance, we believe that there are two basic values that should be inherent to every standard: quality and relevance. We believe this is the basic, ultimate measure of a standard's worth. We believe that without quality, a standard is without substance, and without relevance, it has no purpose.

Why quality? What is a high-quality standard? Some standards provide the way to regulatory compliance and some standards interpret trade agreements. They should be trustworthy, clear and competent, and not developed with a view to create barriers to trade. There are standards that, when used by regulators, act with statutory authority. These should be temperate, and democratic. Some standards are needed to make industry more competitive. These should contain cutting-edge technology and be flexible, and dynamic. The standard itself dictates; but whatever its purpose, it should have integrity. It should perform with distinction and bring about the desired results.

We believe quality can best be achieved when a technical committee's participants are authentic, interested, invested, and widely representational. The possibilities that can come from a bank of pure scientific or practical experience, unrestrained by national dictates, customs, prohibitive costs, or prerequisite memberships, are limitless. In other words, the door to innovation and progress should be open to excellence, no matter where it comes from.

Then, there is the quality of relevance. The standard that is relevant must meet and fit the objectives of those who created it. It must contribute something to those who use it. It must be pertinent, practical, appropriate, and realistic. It must travel well and be used, accepted, and recognized in as many marketplaces as possible. It is the standard of preference instead of the standard of prescription.

In our world grown small, however, our standards may need more than quality and relevance to succeed. Today they make public appearances in industrial and trade policies. They are made more and more distinguished by official seals and sponsors. They become known primarily for being "national," "regional," or "international." They "arrive" on the world scene in a state of political correctness. They have status.

But we must be careful. We must be careful not to create a standards class society, a standards world in which we are tempted to sacrifice quality and relevance for political correctness and status. As an American president once said, "For those to whom much is given, much is required."1 We must require as much quality, as much relevance, as much of the basic values, and more, from the standards to which we have attached so much responsibility and influence, and upon which rests the well-being of so many.

James A. Thomas
ASTM President

1John F. Kennedy, in his speech to the Massachusetts State Legislature, Jan. 9, 1961.