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By Andrew G. Kireta Jr.
May 01, 2026
The best decisions are not made unilaterally or in a vacuum. They are shaped through robust engagement, fruitful collaboration, and shared commitment to our mission.
This reality is well understood by ASTM International stakeholders who know or participate in our consensus-driven standards-development process. It is certainly not new to me, having served both as a member and on the ASTM Board of Directors. Still, it is refreshing – and affirming – to see this model in action.
As always, it has been a busy spring for ASTM. I had the good fortune to attend April and May standards-development meetings where engagement, collaboration, and commitment were on full display. These principles form the bedrock of ASTM’s globally recognized standards-development process and are core tenets to what makes ASTM standards distinct in the marketplace, driving trust, facilitating trade, and empowering transformation across more than 90 industry sectors worldwide. The process is not always pretty, but the outcomes are always impactful. Whether it’s exploring a new frontier like AI – where potential standards can help establish confidence and interoperability (which you can read about starting on page 20) – or examining how standards can impact global trade policy and market access (starting on page 30), those outcomes are not abstract. They are practical and increasingly consequential.
Several weeks ago, the ASTM International Board of Directors held its April meeting at our headquarters in West Conshohocken, PA. Building on an effort that began last year at the October Board meeting in Denver, CO, I invited the Board to participate in an interactive engagement exercise tied to ASTM’s strategic planning. The directors were out of their seats, moving around the room and fully invested in meaningful dialogue focused on advancing ASTM’s strategy. In addition, they also engaged in a feedback session surrounding the member experience. These sessions not only energize our meetings but also reinforce the collaborative spirit that has underpinned ASTM’s rich and robust history since its inception in 1898.
Whether through our standards-development activities or our Board of Directors meetings, it is the collective knowledge of those gathered around the table that helps shape our direction. We rely on that technical expertise to guide standards development in the same way we rely on the insight, judgement, and experience of our directors to help propel the organization forward.
Together, these parallel efforts serve as a reminder that the best decisions are made when people are genuinely invested. When opinions are shared. Experience is respected. Voices are heard. Diverse perspectives are welcomed. It is this engagement, collaboration, and commitment that continues to strengthen ASTM International and position us for sustained impact well into the future. ●
Andrew G. Kireta Jr.
President, ASTM International
May / June 2026
