To learn more about the ASTM International MOU Program and other initiatives of the Global Cooperation division, go to www.astm.org/GLOBAL. There you will find links to the national standards bodies described in this article, information on the World Trade Organization and ASTM International, ASTM’s open house program, how to join the ASTM global community and take advantage of training opportunities, and more.
Afghanistan
Afghan National Standardization Authority
MOU signed November 2005
In his remarks at the signing ceremony between ANSA and ASTM International, ASTM President James Thomas commented, “I am pleased that ANSA recognizes the importance of utilizing globally recognized standards to assist in the continued development of infrastructure in Afghanistan, to raise their capability to export and compete in global markets, and to meet the emerging needs of consumers, regulators and industry.”
Since signing the MOU, ANSA reports that it has adopted or plans to reference 44 ASTM International standards on petroleum and cement products. Afghanistan has five individuals participating in ASTM standards development and has taken advantage of ASTM’s training program for MOU countries by participating via virtual meeting technology in a session on ASTM standards development.
Bolivia
Instituto Boliviano de Normalización y Calidad
MOU signed June 2002
Since signing its MOU in mid-2002, IBNORCA reports that it has adopted, adapted or referenced 63 ASTM International standards for a wide variety of sectors, from metals to cement and concrete, adhesives, plastics, color and appearance and more. The standards body has named six individuals as members of ASTM. In 2001, IBNORCA sent a representative to the first ASTM open house program, which was for Latin American and Caribbean countries.
In February of this year, IBNORCA welcomed ASTM member Robert Holcombe to La Paz, where he trained 10 Bolivian experts in the use of ASTM International standards for textiles. IBNORCA was one of the first MOU signatories to take advantage of the several technical assistance training programs ASTM plans to provide in 2007.
Korey Eguino Caillet, executive director of IBNORCA, comments, “Some ASTM standards are referenced in Bolivian legislation,” adding that ASTM standards are used in the Andean Community of Nations, especially with respect to textiles and manufacturing. Eguino continues, “We hope that ASTM standards achieve a major impact on a national level and that there is further active participation in all activities.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Institute for Standardization of Bosnia and Herzegovina
MOU signed March 2002
The national standards body of this small nation, BAS, has adopted, adapted or referenced 50 ASTM International standards in the areas of paint, petroleum, protective coatings for power generation facilities, and color and appearance.
Bulgaria
Bulgarian Institute for Standardization
MOU signed January 2003 BDS, Bulgaria’s national standards body, has adopted, adapted or referenced 56 ASTM International standards from a wide range of technical areas, including steel, petroleum, construction products, rubber, plastics, metallography, mechanical testing, corrosion control and more. Bulgaria has 15 people participating in ASTM standards development.
Kamelia Milanova, BDS’ international programs and projects expert, comments, “ASTM International standards play an active and specific role as references in many Bulgarian regulations and other legislative documents. Annually, about 70 to 100 ASTM standards are distributed by BDS in Bulgaria as a basis for removing technical barriers to trade and to improve the quality and safety of products and processes. The Bulgarian Institute for Standardization strives to maintain effective cooperation with ASTM International with a view to be proactive in the promotion of ASTM International standards and to participate as observers in the work of 36 ASTM technical committees.”
Chile
Instituto Nacional de Normalización
MOU signed May 2002
Chile has benefited from ASTM International’s many offerings in its MOU program. The country participated in the November 2001 open house program for Latin American and Caribbean countries at ASTM headquarters, and recently took advantage of the training on ASTM’s standards development process offered to MOU signatories via virtual meeting. Seventeen Chileans participate in ASTM. In addition, INN has adapted, adopted or referenced 67 ASTM standards from technical sectors as varied as metals, construction products, paint, petroleum, wood, soil and rock, fire and fasteners.
China
Standards Administration of China
MOU signed August 2004
ASTM International enhanced its longstanding relationship with Chinese standards developers by signing an MOU with SAC in 2004 in Beijing. SAC reports that 429 ASTM International standards have been adopted, adapted or referenced in China. The list of technical areas in which China has used these standards is among the longest in ASTM’s records of national use, and encompasses most of the industry sectors in which ASTM technical committees have a presence.
In signing the MOU, SAC agreed to promote the acceptance and use of ASTM standards in China, utilize ASTM’s resources to develop Chinese national standards and reference ASTM standards where applicable in Chinese national standards, and provide access to current ASTM standards via a link to ASTM International’s Web site on the SAC home page. SAC also facilitates connections between Chinese technical experts and ASTM International technical committees to ensure that the standards meet the needs of Chinese industry; toward this end, 250 Chinese professionals are members of ASTM.
In 2005, ASTM was honored to host SAC standards expert Mrs. He Ting in a monthlong internship at ASTM headquarters, where she learned about technical committee organization, electronic balloting, ASTM’s publishing program and more.
Zhang Lin, director general in the International Standards Department at SAC, comments, “As one of the most professional SDOs in the world, ASTM International has provided a lot of opportunities for our technical experts to further understand the American standardization system through their participation in ASTM’s standards development process. The cooperation and communication between SAC and ASTM International has also been greatly strengthened through the activities listed in our MOU, including training and the exchange of information and personnel.”
In 2006, members of SAC staff participated via virtual meeting in a training session on ASTM International’s standards development process.
Colombia
Instituto Colombiano de Normas Técnicas y Certificacion
MOU signed August 2001
ASTM International’s first MOU was signed with ICONTEC in 2001. Colombia has used over 800 ASTM standards as the basis of Colombian national standards; the scope of industry sectors influenced by these standards is comprehensive. ICONTEC staff has received training on ASTM’s standards development process as part of its MOU. Sixty-three professionals from Colombia serve on ASTM technical committees; later this year, ICONTEC will send a standards expert to ASTM headquarters for a one-month internship.
On the subject of his organization’s MOU with ASTM, ICONTEC Executive Director Fabio Tobon remarks, “We have been working with ASTM standards as the basis of our Colombian national standards for a long time. In fact, some 20 to 25 percent of our standards are based on ASTM’s. Ever since we signed the MOU with this organization, we have increased our sales of their standards in Colombia and our work has been greatly facilitated. We have also been able to participate in ASTM workshops and in the ASTM technical committees that are of interest to our industry. We have really enjoyed our MOU with ASTM and have benefited from it.”
Congo
Office Congolais de Contrôle
MOU signed May 2007
The Office Congolais de Contrôle signed its MOU with ASTM at the end of the May open house for sub-Saharan Africa standards leaders and looks forward to partnership with ASTM International.
Costa Rica
Instituto de Normas Técnicas de Costa Rica
MOU signed February 2005
According to Carlos E. Rodríguez, executive director of INTECO, the MOU his organization signed with ASTM in 2005 has had palpable benefits to his nation. Rodríguez notes, “ASTM standards were already recognized extensively in Costa Rica before we signed the agreement. Since February 2005 we have improved service to our users as much as possible, allowing them to consult our information center and utilize the standards provided by ASTM. In the coming year, we propose to develop standards that require the use of ASTM standards in products such as concrete, tubing and others. We have designated a committee to identify new opportunities in relation to ASTM.”
Costa Rica has adopted, adapted or referenced 35 ASTM standards thus far for electrical conductors, cement and concrete, petroleum, roofing, industrial and specialty chemicals, temperature measurement, mechanical testing and metric units. Costa Rica has 41 individuals participating in ASTM and in December 2005, ASTM hosted INTECO representative Jaime Restrepo at an ASTM committee week. INTECO staff have participated in training on ASTM’s standards development process via virtual meeting.
Croatia
State Office for Standardization and Metrology
MOU signed April 2002
Croatia’s national standards body has utilized seven ASTM petroleum standards in its national standards or regulation. Two individuals from Croatia serve as members of ASTM International.
Dominica
Dominica Bureau of Standards
MOU signed August 2003
Steve John, director of DBOS, comments, “DBOS salutes ASTM in its international standardization efforts through the establishment of the MOU program. This mechanism has not only benefited DBOS in terms of access to a broad range of standards, but has also evoked keen interest in the work of various ASTM technical committees. DBOS congratulates ASTM for their efforts and looks forward to working with the agency toward the harmonization of standards — one test, accepted everywhere.”
Ecuador
Instituto Ecuatoriano de Normalización
MOU signed April 2002
As part of its MOU signing ceremony in Quito, INEN sponsored a seminar on global trade, with representatives from ASTM International, the American Concrete Institute, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the National Fire Protection Association giving presentations on their standards to an audience of about 125 people from Ecuadoran industry, government and academia. INEN has continued to be proactive in its management of the MOU, adopting, adapting or referencing over 60 ASTM standards from a broad cross-section of industry sectors. Ecuador has 35 individuals serving as members of ASTM.
Felipe Urresta, the director-general of INEN, comments, “This MOU was a very important step in our work because we could benefit not only from the use of ASTM standards for our standards work, but it was also a way to improve a friendly and useful relationship with ASTM and their experts. ASTM standards are used in all fields as reference documents in our technical committees, specifically in the area of construction work.”
El Salvador
Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología
MOU signed September 2002
To mark its signing of an MOU with ASTM International, El Salvador’s national standards body, CONACYT, arranged a standards program which some 180 representatives of academia, government, consumer groups and industry attended. ASTM and CONACYT leaders were among the speakers. The organization also opened a National Center for Standards Information, which maintains a collection of ASTM, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and other standards, with the goal of improving the El Salvadoran economy, particularly as it pertains to small- and medium-sized enterprises.
CONACYT has referenced, adapted or adopted 58 ASTM cement and petroleum standards. El Salvador has three people serving as members of ASTM International. They have taken advantage of ASTM training via the MOU program, having sat in on a virtual meeting about the ASTM standards development process.
Egypt
Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality
MOU signed October 2002
Egypt’s national standards body, EOS,has adopted, adapted or referenced over 260 ASTM International standards from a wide group of industry sectors represented in ASTM, from metals and gypsum to plastics and shipbuilding. EOS has taken advantage of ASTM’s virtual training on its standards development process. Egypt has almost 60 individuals serving as ASTM members.
Dr. Eng. Mahmoud Eisa, the president of EOS, notes, “Signing the MOU between EOS and ASTM International is of great value for EOS as it has: 1) enabled us to obtain a complete set of ASTM standards to be used as a reference when developing our national standards or to be adopted as Egyptian standards in their original language; and 2) made ASTM standards available at the EOS library to all stakeholders.”
Ethiopia
Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia
MOU signed May 2005
The national standards body of this large African nation, QSAE, has adopted, adapted or referenced 79 ASTM International standards in areas as diverse as metals, building construction products, textiles, soil and rock, and geosynthetics. Ethiopia has two members in ASTM.
Guatemala
Comisión Guatemalteca de Normas
MOU signed August 2005
COGUANOR, Guatemala’s national standards body, has adopted, adapted or referenced 77 ASTM standards for steel, cement and concrete, petroleum, road materials, roofing, plastics, mechanical testing, electronics and plastic piping. Guatemala has six members in ASTM.
Magin Beteta Barillas, executive secretary of COGUANOR, comments, “In the 1980s, COGUANOR started to utilize and take as a reference some ASTM standards in order to develop Guatemalan standards, principally in the areas of plastic products (PVC pipe), cement and hydrocarbons. The signing of the MOU with ASTM has benefited Guatemala and principally COGUANOR, since it allows access to the complete collection of ASTM standards and their utilization as a reference for developing the corresponding Guatemalan technical standards, making it possible to revise ours in an immediate manner.”
Gulf Region
Gulf Cooperation Council Standardization Organization
MOU signed February 2006
The MOU with GSO is so far the only ASTM agreement with a regional organization. The Gulf Cooperation Council was a participant in the 2005 open house for Middle Eastern standards leaders and will send an intern in October 2007 to ASTM headquarters as part of the MOU program’s standards experts training program.
Honduras
Consejo Hondureño de Ciencia y Tecnología
MOU signed January 2006
Since signing its MOU with ASTM International early last year, COHCIT has referenced, adapted or adopted 147 ASTM standards in such sectors as metals, cement and concrete, petroleum, road and paving materials, and more. Six individuals from Honduras participate in ASTM.
Indonesia
Badan Standardisasi Nasional
MOU signed August 2004
Indonesia’s national standards body, BSN,has adapted, referenced or adopted 38 ASTM standards for steel, concrete and cement, petroleum, wood, fire, nondestructive testing and the sensory evaluation of materials. Indonesia has 31 members serving in ASTM.
Mr. Sunyoto, BSN’s executive secretary, notes, “The signing of the MOU between ASTM and BSN enables BSN to adopt ASTM standards into Indonesian national standards in a cost-effective and timely way in response to the needs of our stakeholders. The MOU program also provides developing countries with the opportunity to join in the process of international standards development as well as participate in the capacity building program.”
Iraq
Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control
MOU signed July 2005
COSQC signed its memorandum of understanding at ASTM International headquarters at the conclusion of the open house program for standards experts from the Middle East and North Africa in July 2005. To assist with reconstruction efforts in Iraq, ASTM International was involved in the organization of a 2006 National Institute of Standards and Technology workshop on standards and codes for the Iraqi construction sector. Twenty participants from Iraq attended the workshop. As a follow-up to the program, ASTM provided 10 sets of ASTM Standards in Building Codes to the various ministries and universities involved in the Iraq reconstruction effort. Later in 2007, ASTM will provide a training course for Iraqi professionals on concrete technology and testing, the evaluation of existing structures, waterproofing and durability tests for building products. Iraq has adopted, adapted or referenced 25 standards in a variety of primarily building-construction related areas.
Israel
Standards Institution of Israel
MOU signed July 2007
ASTM’s most recent MOU partner is SII. The July signing of the agreement marks the 48th partnership between ASTM and a national or regional standards body. Shortly after signing the MOU, Ziva Patir, SII’s director general, commented, “The technological alliance between Israel and the USA is demonstrated by the MOU signed by the Standards Institution of Israel and ASTM. This MOU will contribute to the reciprocal transfer of technology between our countries.”
Jamaica
Bureau of Standards Jamaica
MOU signed February 2002
The small island nation of Jamaica has adopted, adapted or referenced nearly 140 ASTM International standards in many of the sectors for which ASTM technical committees provide standards. Jamaica has four members in ASTM. BSJ has participated in training on ASTM standards development in cement and concrete standardization.
Marsha Dennie, corporate and international programs officer at BSJ, comments, “The MOU has allowed BSJ to enjoy easy access to ASTM standards and related technical documents. There has been increased referencing and sale of standards and test methods to upwards of 300 percent in 2006-2007 over and above the 2004-2005 period. This significant partnership has enhanced the capability of Jamaican businesses in increasing their market access and competing in the international market. It has been a fruitful and beneficial partnership and we look forward to a further deepening of our relationship in the areas covered under the agreement.”
Jordan
Jordan Institution for Standards and Metrology
MOU signed December 2005
Since signing its memorandum of understanding, Jordan’s national standards body helped facilitate a training course in fuel technology in May.
Korea
Korean Agency for Technology and Standards
MOU signed May 2006
KATS has adopted, adapted or referenced seven ASTM standards in the areas of paint, petroleum, rubber, industrial and specialty chemicals and consumer products. One hundred twenty-one Koreans participate in ASTM International’s standards development process.
Choong Ho Lee, head of the International Standards Cooperation Division at KATS, comments, “The MOU provides an opportunity for us to participate in ASTM technical committees for materials in which ASTM is a representative standards development organization. We therefore can benefit from expertise and knowledge of standards development in this field, which is helpful in promoting national standardization for materials.”
Malaysia
SIRIM Berhad
MOU signed December 2003
Malaysia has adopted, referenced or adapted over 220 ASTM International standards from a wide variety of industry sectors in which ASTM is involved, including metals, construction products, road and paving materials, rubber, plastics, geosynthetics, mechanical testing, flexible barrier materials and many more. Malaysia has 66 individuals participating in ASTM International.
Mauritius
Mauritius Standards Bureau
MOU signed June 2005
Khemraj Ramful, director of the Mauritius Standards Bureau, comments, “MSB has been working with ASTM standards since its creation in 1977. Through the memorandum of understanding, we are given the opportunity not only to use these standards more effectively, but also to participate in their development. The MOU provides a technical platform for our experts to network with experts throughout the world. We have to thank ASTM for that.” Mauritius has three members participating in ASTM standards development activities.
Mongolia
Mongolian Agency for Standardization and Metrology
MOU signed January 2004
The nation of Mongolia has referenced, adapted or adopted nearly 50 ASTM International standards for concrete, concrete pipe, petroleum, road and paving materials, roofing, soil and rock, protective coatings, nondestructive testing, vehicle-pavement systems, mechanical testing and alternative energy sources. Mongolia has 12 professionals serving as members in ASTM International.
Morocco
Service de Normalisation Industrielle Marocaine
MOU signed July 2003
Abdellah Nejjar, executive chief of SNIMA, remarks on his organization’s MOU with ASTM, “The MOU is very useful to Moroccan stakeholders, as it offers them the possibility to participate in discussions on ASTM standards, especially in the field of paint. Moroccan experts are participating in three ASTM technical committees and we hope this number will increase in the future. We would like to express our satisfaction with the positive outcome resulting from this cooperation and particularly with the organization of a seminar in Casablanca about construction materials standardization, which was useful for more than 100 participants.”
Nicaragua
Dirección de Tecnología, Normalización y Metrología
MOU signed August 2005
Nicaragua’s national standards body has adapted, adopted or referenced 125 ASTM International standards in the fiber-reinforced cement product, petroleum, road material, roofing and quality sectors. Nicaragua has four individuals serving on ASTM technical committees.
Nigeria
Standards Organization of Nigeria
MOU signed November 2004
Nigeria has 159 ASTM members; SON has adapted, adopted or referenced 87 ASTM International standards in the areas of steel, iron castings, metallic-coated iron and steel products and magnetic properties.
Palestine
Palestine Standards Institution
MOU signed July 2005
PSI, Palestine’s national standards body, has adapted, adopted or referenced 13 ASTM standards in the petroleum sector. Palestine has six individuals serving as members of ASTM International. In addition, PSI has taken advantage of training in ASTM’s standards development process. Mazen Abu Sharia, the chief executive officer of PSA, notes, “Since signing the MOU with ASTM, the level of quality awareness among the various industrial and academic groups in Palestine has been improved.”
Panama
Díreccíon General de Normas y Tecnología Industrial
MOU signed June 2003
Panama’s national standards body has utilized 76 ASTM standards from the steel, construction, paint, petroleum, road materials and plastic sectors. The group is accepting technical training from ASTM International on concrete and cement standards. Panama has eight individuals serving as members of ASTM.
Peru
Instituto Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia y de la Protección de la Propiedad Intelectual
MOU signed June 2003
Peru has adopted, adapted or referenced 400 ASTM standards in nearly as many sectors as ASTM provides standards. Peru has 80 individuals participating as ASTM members and INDECOPI accepted training from ASTM International on its standards development process.
Philippines
Bureau of Product Standards, Department of Trade and Industry
MOU signed September 2003
Since signing its MOU with ASTM at the September 2003 open house for Asia-Pacific standards leaders, BPS has used nearly 400 ASTM International standards from a wide cross-section of industries for which ASTM members write standards. The Philippines has 83 people serving as members in ASTM. BPS will send a standards expert to ASTM headquarters for a one-month internship in October of this year.
Jesus L. Motoomull, bureau director at BPS, comments, “As the national standards body of the Philippines, BPS uses ASTM standards as reference materials. This includes standards on electric wires and cables, cement, steel, glass, ceramics, adhesives, etc. The ASTM standards are mostly used by our local industries, academia and consumers in conducting research and studies. Furthermore, the MOU gives Filipino technical experts the opportunity to participate in the development of ASTM standards by waiving its membership fee, which ensures that the standards meet the needs of the Philippine industry.”
Russia
Federal Agency on Technical Regulating and Metrology
MOU signed April 2007
Russia has 15 participants in ASTM’s standards development process. Following the MOU signing in Moscow, ASTM President James Thomas stated, “With Russia’s aim to join the World Trade Organization in 2008, the MOU is a timely initiative that will foster much greater cooperation between Russia and ASTM International in the development of international standards.”
Singapore
Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board
MOU signed February 2003
Singapore has 43 experts serving on ASTM International technical committees since it signed its MOU over four years ago. SPRING has referenced, adapted or adopted 13 ASTM standards for thermal insulation, paint, roofing, rubber, plastics, temperature measurement, alternative energies, sports equipment, consumer products and amusement rides. SPRING Singapore has participated in training on the ASTM standards development process as well.
Teo Nam Kuan, group director of quality and standards at SPRING Singapore, comments, “The SPRING-ASTM MOU has enabled SPRING to tap ASTM standards and experts in a number of critical standards projects. The benefits of such an MOU have been invaluable to SPRING.”
South Africa
South African Bureau of Standards
MOU signed September 2003
On the MOU signed nearly four years ago with ASTM, Martin Kuscus, chief executive officer of the South African Bureau of Standards, comments, “The MOU allows us to adopt ASTM standards as South African national standards. All this time, ASTM has supported us by providing information and services to assist us in adopting the standards as well as providing the resources needed for us to provide an effective standards sales and information service that is inclusive of the ASTM collection. The regular update of the ASTM collection that is dispatched to us on CD-ROM has been an invaluable resource for reference, sale and adoption purposes. South Africa sees the relationship with ASTM as a very positive initiative and we hope that it grows from strength to strength in the future.”
To date, SABS has referenced over 430 ASTM International standards in South African national standards. Fifty-five individuals from South Africa are members of ASTM.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Standards Institution
MOU signed May 2003
Fifty-one individuals from Sri Lanka are members of ASTM. The Sri Lanka Standards Institution has utilized 50 ASTM standards in the areas of cement and concrete, petroleum, road and paving materials, roofing, soaps, soil and rock, and electrical insulating liquids and gases.
Anula Tennakoon, assistant director of documentation and information at SLSI, says, “The MOU signed between ASTM and the Sri Lanka Standards Institution has enabled SLSI to obtain the latest ASTM standards, which are often used as reference documents when formulating Sri Lanka standards, and many users of the library are immensely benefited by the availability of the latest collection.”
St. Lucia
Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards
MOU signed May 2002
Since signing its MOU with ASTM International five years ago, SLBS has adapted, adopted or referenced 12 ASTM standards for steel, dimension stone, soaps, biological effects and environmental fate, and amusement rides.
Taiwan
Bureau of Standards, Metrology, and Inspection
MOU signed January 2005
Taiwan has 60 individuals serving as members of ASTM International and has referenced 22 ASTM standards for metals, concrete, petroleum, road and paving materials, soil and rock, plastics, building construction, corrosion and weathering.
Ann-Chu Chung, deputy director, fifth division at BSMI, states, “The standards of ASTM have always been important references for research development for industries, government agencies and institutes in Taiwan. The memorandum of understanding between ASTM and BSMI provides us with the opportunity to participate in the standardizing activities of ASTM International. This MOU also provides an easy access to updates on the development of ASTM standards, from which our industry and policy-makers have benefited a great deal in learning more about innovation in technologies.”
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards
MOU signed February 2002
Trinidad and Tobago has utilized over 140 ASTM International standards from a wide variety of sectors, including metals, building construction, paint and consumer products, to name just a few. The country has 17 individuals participating in ASTM International’s standards development.
In June 2003, TTBS hosted a Construction Expo and Seminar in Tunapuna with the theme “Construct with Standards: Better Buildings for the Future.” ASTM President James Thomas attended, and presented a speech on “Standards for Global Trade.”
Renée Abass-Lalla, a standards officer at TTBS, notes, “The strength of ASTM will provide the muscle power for TTBS in the arena of knowledge-based conformity assessment and human resource development to face the challenges of a global marketplace.”
Turkey
Turkish Standards Institution
MOU signed September 2003
Thirty-six individuals from Turkey serve as members of ASTM. Over the years, Turkey has adapted, adopted or referenced nearly 500 ASTM standards in a wide variety of sectors.
Uganda
Uganda National Bureau of Standards
MOU signed November 2003
Uganda’s national standards body, UNBS, has adopted nine ASTM standards for metals, lime, concrete, and road and paving materials. Uganda has four individuals participating in ASTM’s standards development process.
Uruguay
Instituto Uruguayo de Normas Técnicas
MOU signed November 2001
Uruguay was one of the earliest MOU signatories, having signed in November 2001. That nation’s national standards body, UNIT, has adapted, adopted or referenced nearly 60 ASTM standards for metals, cement and concrete, paints and protective coatings, weathering and durability and more. Eight people from Uruguay participate in ASTM’s standards development process.
In March of this year, UNIT sponsored a workshop for some 50 leaders of industry and government who attended to learn more about ASTM standards and how to participate in the process.
Pablo Benia, director of UNIT, comments, “The signing of the memorandum of understanding with ASTM was a key moment in UNIT’s history since it formalized a friendly relationship that came from the foundation of our institution in 1939. Personally, when I began working in standardization in 1969, the first UNIT standard on which I worked was, in fact, the adoption of an ASTM standard. UNIT has taken great advantage of the agreement through participation in several of ASTM’s committees and the incorporation of ASTM standards as a basis for Uruguay’s national ones.”
Vietnam
Directorate for Standards and Quality
MOU signed February 2004
Vietnam’s national standards body, STAMEQ, has taken full advantage of what ASTM International’s MOU program has to offer since signing its MOU in early 2004. The organization has adapted, adopted or referenced over 100 ASTM standards for petroleum, aviation fuels, nondestructive testing, gasoline, road construction, roofing materials and coal. Eighteen individuals from Vietnam participate in ASTM standards development activities. In late 2006, one of STAMEQ’s staff members came to ASTM for a monthlong internship. In early summer 2007, Salvatore Rand, a member of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants, taught a class in Hanoi on the use of ASTM standards for fuels.
In January of this year, Daniel Smith, a director in the Technical Committee Operations division of ASTM, and Martin Farrell, ASTM’s director of international sales, participated in the Vietnam-U.S. Standards Workshop on Enhancing Technology and Trade. About 160 participants from Vietnamese industry and standardization programs attended the workshop, which was held at STAMEQ.
Commenting on these many activities within the parameters of the MOU program, Nguyen Mai Sinh, senior officer of the international cooperation department at STAMEQ, says, “This is the most effective MOU among those that STAMEQ has signed. The MOU with ASTM International has contributed to creating international trade opportunities in general.”
Zambia
Zambia Bureau of Standards
MOU signed September 2004
Through its national standards body ZABS, Zambia has adopted, adapted or referenced nearly 100 ASTM standards in the areas of steel, petroleum, road and paving materials, roofing, water and plastics. ZABS has named 10 technical experts to membership in ASTM and has recently availed itself of training in standards in the building codes via ASTM’s technical training program for MOU signatories.
Zimbabwe
Standards Association of Zimbabwe
MOU signed August 2002
Maureen Mutasa, director general of SAZ, comments, “Prior to the signing of the MOU, SAZ had very limited and outdated ASTM standards despite the demand for the standards by local users. Since the signing of the MOU, SAZ has been able to maintain the up-to-date, full complement of ASTM standards. Furthermore, Zimbabwe experts can participate free of charge in ASTM committees of interest to their businesses. SAZ has over the years adopted or adapted ASTM standards, for example, the specifications and test methods for fuel, and currently has under way a standards development project on biodiesel fuel for which ASTM standards are being used as the basis. In line with the MOU, our thrust for the future will be to promote and coordinate the participation of Zimbabwean experts in standards development work by ASTM International.”