The seminar, “Evolution of Management Systems: Quality, Environmental, and the Future,” will be offered by ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics, Nov. 13, 5-6 p.m., at the Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando, Fla., during their Committee Week meetings.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000 series of standards created a common set of requirements for quality management systems. Implementation of these standards throughout the world during the past decade has had a significant effect on business. Using ISO 9000 as the base, the automotive and telecommunications industries created their own quality standards to address their specific business concerns. This trend to more industry-specialized specifications continues with aerospace and other industries pursuing their own documents.

However, management systems standards are not limited to quality. There are standards for environmental (ISO 14001) and social accountability (SA 8000) management. System standards for other aspects of management are being proposed.

What are some of the current standards for management systems? Why has their popularity and use increased over the past few years? What trends should be monitored? How will those organizations that are not involved with the quality management system movement be impacted? Regardless of previous exposure and involvement, changes in management systems standards should be monitored and used effectively to achieve organizational business objectives.

These issues will be explored by the seminar speaker, Leon Przybyla, global program manager, Registration Services, Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), who leads management system assessment activities. Przybyla has been involved with various testing and certification responsibilities at UL covering a wide spectrum of products, and has participated on ASTM, National Fire Protection Association, ISO, and International Electrotechnical Commission committees.

To register, or for further details, contact Director Kathie Morgan, ASTM (610/832-9721). Future Committee D20 seminars include: “Advances in Flame Resistance of Plastics,” March 26, 2001, Phoenix Hyatt Regency; “Nanotechnology and Molecular Polymerics,” July, 2001 (Date and location to be determined); and “Nondestructive Testing of Plastics,” November 5, 2001, Dallas Hyatt Regency. To learn more about ASTM, consult the home page. //

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