This week, hundreds of representatives from industry, laboratories, government agencies, and other organizations will participate in standards-related events in Seoul.  The events are being organized by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) and ASTM International, a global standards developer.

“The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards and ASTM International have had close relations in the field of standardization cooperation over a decade,” said Mr. Daeshik Jeh, KATS administrator. “I expect that the relationship between the two organizations will be strengthened through the cooperative program, including meetings and training information exchange.”

The week’s events highlight how technical standards – including those from ASTM – help improve quality of life in Korea while also driving commerce and trade.
•    For example, on Tuesday, June 14, the Korea Apparel Testing and Research Institute and the Korea Testing and Research Institute will participate in discussions on the benefits of standardization to businesses, the importance of standardization in areas such as textiles, and more.  

•    On Wednesday, June 15, KATS, the Korean Product Safety Association, testing laboratories, and manufacturers will discuss consumer product safety, including risk assessment and regulation in areas such as children’s toys.  

•    And, on Thursday, June 16, Korean associations, certification bodies, testing laboratories, and manufacturers will receive information on ASTM’s Proficiency Testing Program and other ASTM services that support laboratories to improve performance and competitiveness.

As KATS and ASTM celebrate the 10th anniversary of their Memorandum of Understanding (signed May 12, 2006), they will also meet to review and plan for future collaboration in areas such as training. On Friday, June 17, training will continue for approximately 100 laboratory staff at KTC, where former ASTM Board member, Dr. Kaphong Choi, is president.

More than 180 Korean representatives from industry, academia, and other organizations participate on more than 75 ASTM International technical committees.

For more information on ASTM International’s strong presence in Korea, visit www.astm.org/GLOBAL/docs/Korean-Standards-and-ASTM-English.pdf.

Media Inquiries: Cicely Enright, tel +1.610.832.9630; cenright@astm.org
ASTM Staff Contact: Teresa Cendrowska, tel +1.610.832.9718; tcendrowska@astm.org