The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Direct Final Rule, which became effective on March 1, to update references to more than 150 ASTM standards. Some of the standards had been over 30 years out of date. The Federal Register notice announced the Coast Guard was amending Titles 33 and 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations “to render current the standards incorporated by reference from ASTM. The new rule incorporates the most recent editions to ensure the use by the regulated industry of the latest technology.” For further information, please contact Kitty Kono, ASTM Washington Representative (610/832-9687).

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) announced today the opening of its new headquarters in Washington, D.C. ANSI had been headquartered in New York City since it was founded in 1918. The new offices, located at 1819 L Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20036 (202/293-8020; fax: 202/293-9287) will house ANSI’s president and chief executive officer and ANSI staff supporting the Institute’s conformity assessment, international policy, and public policy initiatives. The Institute’s domestic and international standards facilitation programs, and its administrative operations, will remain principally in the New York City offices at 11 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036 (212/642-4900; fax: 212/398-0023).

Annual Conference on Standards

The 2000 Standards Engineering Society (SES) Annual Conference will be held Aug. 14-15 in Baltimore, Md. The theme of this year’s conference is Standards for Change and Stability. Dr. Mark W. Hurwitz, president and CEO of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) will keynote. The following sessions will be presented: The Evolution of Standardization, Conformity Assessment, Globalization of Standards, Government Standards Initiatives, Training and Education, and Technology Update. Contact: H. Glenn Ziegenfuss, Executive Director, SES, 13340 SW 96th Ave., Miami, FL 33176 (305/971-4798; fax: 305/971-4799).

New Society for Concrete Petrographers

The Society of Concrete Petrographers has been formed for individuals who practice, as their primary occupation, hands-on petrography of concrete using light optical microscopical methods. The society plans to be a meeting and speaking forum for these professionals for the purposes of providing them with opportunities to enhance their professional skills and advance the profession. Contact: Bernard Erlin (724/539-1800; fax: 724/539-7305).

Baldrige Criteria Available for 2000

The newly updated Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence, used in determining winners of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, are available. One of the nation’s most popular and influential organizational improvement publications, the criteria are tailored for three different audiences: for-profit businesses, healthcare providers, and education organizations. The 2000 criteria booklet includes a series of questions covering seven key areas: leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, information and analysis, human resource focus, process management, and results. Thousands of U.S. organizations use the criteria to assess and improve their overall performance. Single copies of the criteria are available from NIST (301/975-2036; fax: 301/948-3716; e-mail: nqp@nist.gov); or download a copy. Packets of 10 or more copies may be ordered for a fee from the American Society for Quality (800/248-1946). //

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