On Sept. 7-8, ASTM International participated in a workshop focused on electrical and consumer/toy standards in Tel Aviv, Israel. The workshop and technical consultation event was co-organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration and the Standards Institution of Israel and Israeli Ministry of Economy. Organized as a result of amendments to Israel's standards law, the program responded to Israel's request for assistance in identifying alternative standards developed by U.S.-domiciled standards developing organizations.

The workshop, which took place at SII's headquarters, addressed technical concerns of electrical and consumer standards so that a greater number of standards developed by U.S.-domiciled standards developing organizations might be adopted and used in Israel.

Frank Gibbs, director of regulatory compliance at Mattel Inc., represented ASTM on technical issues and use of ASTM standard F963, Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety.