Standards Coordination and Globalization Initiative (SCGI) Subcommittee F03.96 has formed within ASTM Committee F03 on Gaskets to increase global participation in the development of gaskets standards.

Committee F03 activities promote globally viable standards that characterize the properties of commercial nonmetallic and metallic gasket materials for transportation and industrial applications. This month, the subcommittee begins a strategic initiative for increased global participation.

“Global consensus” on gaskets standards is the main objective of the subcommittee, according to Mike Passarella, president of MTP and Associates, Columbus, Ohio, and subcommittee chairman. Gasket stakeholders are invited to participate, especially international users, material suppliers, fabricators, and general interest groups. Those interested will assist in the development of gasket standards with more than 80 international members from eight countries. Domestic and global standards-producing agencies are also welcomed. ASTM membership is not required and no cost is involved. Those interested may complete an application on the Committee F03 Web site.

The new subcommittee will assess the relevance of existing or proposed F03 standards and work to promote global usage through increased international technical input. Subcommittee cooperatives will be enrolled on an international “Gasket Network,” and will utilize ASTM Interactive Forums online. A Forum may include a questionnaire on market relevance, user friendliness, etc., in addition to the existing or proposed standard under review. When each Forum review is completed, it will be assigned to the appropriate F03 subcommittee to move any resulting proposals through the balloting process.

ASTM membership is not required, however, a $75 individual member fee includes one free volume of the ASTM Book of Standards in CD or hard copy and a subscription to Standardization News. Other bonuses include networking in your areas of interest and discounts on ASTM standards, journals, and Special Technical Publications.

For further technical information, contact Mike Passarella of MTP and Associates, Columbus, Ohio (phone: 614/459-5104). Committee F03 meets Oct. 23-25 in Dallas, Texas, and April 23-25 in San Antonio. For meeting or membership details, contact Jim Olshefsky, manager, ASTM Technical Committee Operations (phone: 610/832-9714). //

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