Dec 01, 2005

The national standards body of Jordan has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with ASTM International. The MOU was signed in December by James Thomas, president, ASTM International, and Yaseen Khayyat, director, Jordan Institution of Standards and Metrology.

"The MOU is the result of the two sides eagerness to create a solid base for their future cooperation," said Khayyat, who added that JISM would now have the opportunity to utilize the resources of ASTM to strengthen the Jordanian national standards system.

ASTM International President Thomas noted that the MOU would prove to be mutually beneficial. "Signing this memorandum of understanding begins a productive new era of cooperation between JISM and ASTM International. I believe that both organizations will learn and grow from the opportunities provided in this agreement," said Thomas.

The purpose of ASTM International’s MOU program is to promote communication between ASTM International and national standards bodies; promote knowledge of each others standards development activities; facilitate greater worldwide participation in the ASTM standards development process; and facilitate the development of national standards that will aid each countrys health, safety, environmental and economic conditions. ASTM International has now signed MOUs with the national standards bodies of 44 countries.

Earlier this year, JISM participated in the Open House for Middle East, North Africa and South Asia Standards Leaders held at ASTM International Headquarters. The event was a gathering of 62 executives of national standards bodies, including Jordan, which was represented by Rula Madanat, director of the JISM Information Center.

For more information on ASTM International’s MOU program, contact Kitty Kono, vice president for global cooperation (phone: 610/832-9687; kkono@astm.org).