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November/December 2008
OutReach
International Standardization Discussed at Science/Technology/Society Conference in Rotterdam
ASTM International participated in the Annual Conference of the Society for Social Studies of Science/European Association for the Study of Science and Technology (4S/EASST), which occurred Aug. 20-23 at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The theme of the conference, “Acting with Science, Technology and Medicine,” was developed in response to significant changes underway in science/technology/society studies, in which researchers are increasingly becoming involved in practices of technology development, policymaking, legal decision making and governance in fields such as technology policy, environmental regulation and health care.
Tineke Egyedi, Delft University of Technology, and Anique Hommels, University of Maastricht, organized a one-day session titled “Tensions in Standardization” that featured presentations from organizations in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States. Papers covered issues such as research in standardization; how standards reflect changes in technology; resolution of differences in industry and public safety perspectives through standardization policy; collaborative frameworks for standardization policy; management of the impact of regularly changing standards and the impact of different governing structures and processes in standards development organizations within the information, communications and technology sector.
Teresa Cendrowska, vice president, global cooperation, ASTM International, presented her paper, “Reconciling Tensions in Standardization: A Review of Objectives, Approaches, Realities,” which provided an in-depth review of aspects of the ASTM process for the development of consensus standards used worldwide. The paper included empirical evidence that demonstrated the variety of interests and the magnitude of debate that leads to consensus positions within ASTM standards, the underpinning philosophy and how these tensions are managed through various procedures within ASTM. Cendrowska included a summary of the diversity of participants in selected industrial sectors and a quantitative summary of the constantly-in-motion standards developing process and its deliverables. In addition, Cendrowska presented a review of qualitative and quantitative research conducted by ASTM in 2007 on the impact of standards on corporate profitability.
ASTM International representatives Vanessa Corona (front row, left) and Luis Ordonez (middle row, left) recently met with the staff of the Farmacopea of the United Mexican States to discuss future collaborations.
Mexico’s Farmacopea to Participate in ASTM Standards Development
Luis Ordonez and Vanessa Corona, representatives of ASTM International in Mexico, recently met with staff from the Farmacopea of the United Mexican States (CPFEUM). Farmacopea’s standing committee will now collaborate in the development of ASTM International standards.
Farmacopea is a collegial body advisor at the Mexican Ministry of Health that develops quality checks, reference substances and technical specifications for regulating drugs and medical devices. This work is carried out through the Farmacopea’s Technical Board, which consists of experts in specific areas from various disciplines of pharmaceutical sciences and health as well as from private industry, associations and other institutions of higher education. Farmacopea and ASTM intend to work together to encourage more Mexican participation in ASTM standards development.
Dudley Medal Nominees Sought
The ASTM Committee on Publications is soliciting candidate publications from ASTM committees for the Charles B. Dudley Medal Award. Each committee may submit one publication for consideration.
The award honors an outstanding contribution that has a widely recognized impact on a particular field of ASTM interest and has been documented in ASTM literature. A minimum of three years must have elapsed between the date of publication of a nominee and the nomination deadline of April 15, 2009.
Eligible candidate publications may be:
- An individual paper or group of papers;
- A Special Technical Publication;
- A Data Series publication;
- An atomic and molecular data publication; or
- A manual, monograph, handbook or computer software program.
Submittals should be made on or before April 15, 2009, and must contain the following information:
- Name of the candidate publication;
- Name of the author(s), editor or contributor to the candidate publication;
- Statement of 300 words or less stating why the candidate publication should receive the award and how the publication meets the basis of the award;
- Name and designation of the submitting committee (no more than one nomination from a committee shall be submitted); and
- Name and address of the individual acting on behalf of the committee.
Submit nominations to Kathy Dernoga, Committee on Publications, ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Dr., P.O. Box C700, W. Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.
NIST Standards in Trade Workshop Focuses on Fire Protection
ASTM E05.11 Subcommittee Chairman Joins Panel at Workshop for Vietnamese Delegation
ASTM International was one of several U.S.-based standards and codes development organizations that participated in the Standards in Trade Workshop on Fire Protection for Buildings in the U.S. and Vietnam conducted Sept. 22-26 at the headquarters of the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Md. The workshop was designed to provide 19 Vietnamese participants with timely information on fire safety practices, fire behavior in buildings, codes and standards development, conformity assessment and regulation, the management of challenges in implementation of codes and an update on future technologies.
During the weeklong workshop, participants exchanged information about technical topics such as fire safety for new and recent buildings (residential, commercial and industrial buildings that are new construction or less than 10 years old), fire resistance of building structures and their contents, active and passive fire protection and detection systems, access/egress design and implementation, and the education of fire safety professionals. The program included individual presentations by both U.S. and Vietnamese representatives, panel sessions and several site visits.
Art Parker, Hughes Associates Inc., and chair of Subcommittee E05.11 on Fire Resistance, a subcommittee of ASTM International Committee E05 on Fire Standards, participated in the panel session on standards and codes for fire protection. Parker’s presentation included information about ASTM International, Committee E05, ASTM’s memorandum of understanding with Vietnam’s national standards body, the Directorate for Standards and Quality, and the use of standards in codes.
ASTM Receives Corporate Award
ASTM was honored with the 2008 Corporate Award at the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund’s Annual Recognition and Awards Dinner Oct. 7 in Gwynedd Valley, Pa. The annual event honors the individuals, foundations and corporate partners who have contributed greatly to the fund’s development.
The Kelly Ann Dolan Memorial Fund is a resource center providing education, advocacy, information and financial assistance for the uninsured needs of families caring for seriously ill and physically challenged children. In more than 30 years of existence, the fund has assisted more than 16,000 families in crisis. Since moving their headquarters to West Conshohocken, Pa., in 1995, ASTM International has been a regular contributor to the fund with annual cash donations and other forms of support and services.
2008 Officers' Training Workshop
ASTM International presented the 2008 Officers’ Training Workshop Sept. 8-9 at its headquarters in West Conshohocken, Pa. Under the direction of conference chair Kevin Shanahan, staff presented a variety of leadership classes for the 115 ASTM committee officers who attended.
Modules on the following topics were presented at the workshop:
- Strategic Planning and New Activity Development
- Subcommittee Chair’s Duties and Responsibilities
- Balloting/Handling Negative Votes
- ASTM International in the Global Arena
- Main Committee Officers’ Duties and Responsibilities
- ASTM Government Interface and Corporate Outreach
- Timeline of a Balloted Standard’s Development
- Interlaboratory Study/Proficiency Testing Program
- Online ASTM Membership
- Technical and Professional Training Courses/Symposia and Workshop
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