Jul 26, 2016

As part of its memorandum of understanding with the Standardization Organization of the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, ASTM International held a virtual training session on March 18. James Olshefsky facilitated the program from ASTM headquarters in West Conshohocken, Pa., for participants who were meeting at the headquarters of the Kuwait Public Authority for Industry.

Olshefsky's session was part of a 12-day program, Qualification of Standards Development Specialists: Preparation and Development, being held in Kuwait. The program is part of the GSO's annual training agenda. The qualification program acquaints participants with national, regional and international standardization, and the role of standards in economic and social development.

During the ASTM session, Olshefsky discussed:

ASTM has been participating in GSO's annual training program since 2008, when Zaki M.M. Al-Rubai, head of training for GSO, participated in the ASTM's Officers' Training Workshop.

The purpose of GSO is to foster trade within the GCC region, consumer protection, environmental and public health and the advancement of the regional economy. GSO member states are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

ASTM International and GSO signed an MOU in February 2006. In addition, ASTM has signed separate MOUs with each of the GSO member states. The purpose of ASTM's MOU program is to promote communication between ASTM and national standards bodies worldwide, fostering awareness of the standardization systems of all bodies involved. View more information about the MOU program on the ASTM website.