ASTM International and the National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (NISIT), the national standards body of Papua New Guinea, signed a memorandum of understanding in September. The document was signed by James A. Thomas, president of ASTM International, and Chey Scovell, deputy chairman, NISIT.

NISIT was enacted by an Act of Parliament in 1993 and is responsible for all standardization activities in Papua New Guinea, including:

•    Standards development and publication;
•    Standards information dissemination and sales of standards or publications;
•    Calibration, verification and testing of measuring equipment;
•    Laboratory accreditation;
•    Management system certification; and
•    Professional training programs on standardization and quality assurance.

At the MOU signing, Scovell stated that NISIT is a “one-stop shop” for standardization activities in Papua New Guinea and stressed the positive impact that the MOU will have on NISIT and on standardization activities throughout the country.

The economy of Papua New Guinea is based largely on its natural resources. Strong growth in the mining industry, as well as new liquefied natural gas projects, has led to rapid economic development in recent years.

Scovell noted, “Formalizing our relationship with ASTM, a globally recognized leader managing the collaborative development and implementation of standards, will hopefully improve our use and application of technical standards that underpin secure and stabilized growth in our economy and ensure the health and safety of our people and environment.”
 
The MOU with NISIT is the 78th that ASTM International has signed with national or regional standards bodies.

Initiated in 2001, ASTM International’s MOU program promotes communication between ASTM International and national standards bodies worldwide, fostering awareness of the standardization systems of all parties involved. The purpose of the program is to increase greater worldwide participation in the ASTM standards development process and facilitate the development of national standards that will aid health, safety, and environmental and economic conditions. More information on the MOU program can be found on the ASTM International website (www.astm.org/GLOBAL).

ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

Release #9301