Standardization News

Board Actions

The board approved the following actions:

• The Minutes of the October 2022 board meeting.
• Declaration on the Occasion of the One Hundred and Twenty Fifth Anniversary of ASTM International.
• The consolidated financial statements and report of the independent accountants, and the annual review of the finance and audit committee charter, as presented.

Global Business Development and Innovation

Brian Meincke, ASTM’s vice president of business development, discussed the activities of ASTM’s new committee on digital information in the supply chain (F49), approved at the October 2022 BOD meeting. The committee will be hosting its first official meetings at the October 2023 Committee Week in Washington, DC.

The Business Development Team, in coordination with Lab Services and Sales, has been working with members of the Distillers Grains Technology Council (DGTC) to explore developing standards and a proficiency program to support improving the quality and reliability of these products. 
Administrative Collaboration 377 (AC377) on Autonomy Design and Operations in Aviation is currently working on a white paper, to be published in late Summer/early Fall.

In March 2023, The Exo Technology Center of Excellence published its second annual report, which overviews the organization’s vision, team, partnerships, acceleration projects, accomplishments, and key metrics from the past year.

The Exo Technology Center of Excellence (ET CoE) will sponsor the 2023 Exo Games in Lancashire, U.K. The games are a new initiative to improve student involvement and education in the exo technologies industry.

The Business Development team is engaging with NASA, FAA, and other key stakeholders (RTCA, SAE) to initiate a roadmapping activity to uncover standards needed to advance the acceptance of this advanced air mobility (AAM).

The Business Development team has enaged with the Commercialization arm of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to discuss a potential partnership in support of their Market Readiness Level (MARL) concept under the Xcellerate umbrella.

Laboratory Services

Tim Brooke, ASTM vice president, laboratory services and certification, provided updates in multiple areas.

New proficiency testing programs were launched, specifically for octanes in reformulated gasoline and crude oil distillation. New programs are under development for in-service turbine oil, in-service lubricating grease, and caustic soda.

New training and e-learning programs were launched for energy, asphalt, and aggregates, while partnerships with the American Society for Metals, 360 Immersive, the American Welding Society, and Lab Manager are planned.

Committee Operations

Dan Smith, ASTM vice president, technical committee operations, reported on the proposed merger of the committee on mortars and grout for unit masonry (C12) and the committee on manufactured masonry units (C15).

Smith also reported on recent activities of the committee on standards (COS).

Washington, DC Office

In support of ASTM’s mission and strategic objectives, the Washington, D.C. office engages in a number of activities involving Federal legislation and regulations, international trade issues, and corporate outreach to industry and trade associations.

U.S. Congress

Members of the commercial spaceflight federation (CSF) invited ASTM staff to join two briefings with staff from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. On March 17, DC staff and committee on commercial spaceflight chair Michael López-Alegría joined CSF to provide educational and technical updates on commercial spaceflight occupant safety standards efforts developed by F47.

U.S. Federal Agencies

The DC staff is in communication with U.S. agency officials working on United Nations negotiations on a potential treaty to address plastic pollution, as well as World Trade Organization initiatives on regulatory cooperation to address plastic pollution, decarbonization of steel manufacturing, and climate change.

The D.C. Office is tracking opportunities to provide input and advice to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as it seeks to prepare implementation of new programs, authorized and funded in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, protect the environment, and advance human health and well-being.

Organizational Outreach

In January, staff participated in a meeting of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Transportation, Infrastructure, and Supply Chain Committee and discussed the role ASTM standards play in these sectors, including UAS standards.

Staff met with the the American Chemistry Council (ACC) to share information on each organization’s planning for plastics-focused programs during 2023 meetings of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

The D.C. Office assisted with outreach to the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) on PFAS and sustainability issues and exchanged views on trade and standards policy issues. 

Staff continues to promote awareness of and invite involvement in the committee on digital information in the supply chain (F49).

Staff made a presentation to the D.C. think-tank Center for Security and International Studies (CSIS) on the potential for a U.S.-U.K. trade agreement.

Brussels  Office

The ASTM Brussels Office has engaged in numerous outreach and engagements:

• ASTM’s vice president of global policy, cooperation and communications, Jeff Grove, traveled to Greece in February to represent ASTM at NATO’s Workshop on the Use of Civil Standards. Later that month, staff participated in a meeting of the NATO Standardization Staff Group (NSSG) at NATO Headquarters in Brussels to present on ASTM’s aviation portfolio and to discuss ASTM’s approach to digitalization and innovation of standards and services.
• Sara Gobbi, ASTM’s director of EU affairs, and Phil Kenul, unmanned aircraft systems committee chair (F38), engaged in policy and corporate outreach activities in Brussels regarding unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM) with representatives of the FAA, the European Commission (DG GROW), the Boeing European office, and the Borealis Alliance of Northern European Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs).
• Phil Kenul traveled to Amsterdam in March to represent ASTM at the Amsterdam Drones Week and at the EASA High Level Conference on Drones. 
• Craig Updyke, ASTM’s director, global policy and international trade, traveled to Brussels in March to represent ASTM at the joint American National Standards Institute (ANSI) - European Standards Organizations meeting, where he presented.
• ASTM is supporting EU-US Technology and Trade Council (TTC) in the TTC Working Group 1.
• In January ASTM filed comments with the European Commission during their review of the European Standardization Strategy. 

Global Cooperation and Satellite Offices

ASTM’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) program  currently partners with 123 national and regional standardization bodies, most in developing countries. Based on MoU partners’ annual reports, over 9000 citations to ASTM standards have been made. These citations reflect the use of standards from more than 80 ASTM technical committees.

Africa

At the request of the African Regional Standardization Organization (ARSO) Conformity Assessment Committee (ARSO-CACO), two technical committee operations managers provided a virtual training session on February 14. Over 50 ARSO-CACO members from several African MoU partner countries attended.

In February, ASTM held a technical webinar for ARSO members on nanotechnology for over 80 attendees. In March, ASTM’s global cooperation team held a meeting with the East Africa Community’s Standard’s Management Committee (EAC-SMC) to clarify provisions of the pending MoU between the two institutions, scheduled to be signed in May.

Asia

Brunei

ASTM staff met with the National Standards Centre (NSC), Brunei’s national standards body, to discuss outstanding issues related to the draft MoU.

Malaysia

ASTM staff held a meeting with Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM), Malaysia’s national standards body. The participants discussed updates to the draft MoU.

ASTM staff hosted a webinar on footwear standards for public and private sector stakeholders in Malaysia. Bill Ells, chair of ASTM’s Board of Directors and footwear safety expert, presented the technical portion of the program.

Singapore

In February, ASTM staff met with Enterprise Singapore (ESG), Singapore’s national standards body, to share an overview of the new committee on digital information in the supply chain (F49), to promote interest. Technical expert Jeff Weiss of Steptoe and Johnson presented.

An introductory meeting between ASTM staff and one of Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Singapore-based representatives took place in March 2023. 

Korea

ASTM staff continues to engage with the Korea Institute for Aviation Safety Technology (KIAST), an MoU partner. KIAST recently invited ASTM president Kathie Morgan to provide congratulatory remarks on the occasion of the institute’s 10th anniversary. 

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

ASTM attended the first APEC Subcommittee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC) meetings in February. Staff provided an organizational update to the delegates and conducted several bilateral  meetings with MoU partners from the region. Teresa Cendrowska presented.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Peru Office

At the request of MoU partner Instituto Nacional de Calidad (INACAL), the Peru Office arranged a webinar on ASTM steel standards in February. Todd Nelson, member of the committee on steel, stainless steel and related alloys (A01) led the webinar for 28 members of the INACAL technical committee.

At the invitation of Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Commerce and Tourism, ASTM’s Representative in Peru, María Isabel Barrios, presented virtually on international standards and ASTM’s work in Latin America at a National Workshop on the WTO/TBT agreement in March.

Pan-American Commission for Technical Standards (COPANT)

At the request of MoU partner Instituto Nacional de Calidad (INACAL), the Peru Office arranged a webinar on ASTM steel standards in February.

Middle East

In March, the Arab Industrial Development, Standardization and Mining Organization (AIDSMO) hosted a celebration of ASTM’s 125th Anniversary at the 58th meeting of the Arab High Committee for Standardization in Rabat, Morocco.

Emirates Airlines

In March, ASTM D02 committee manager Alyson Fick worked with Global Cooperation staff to introduce ASTM International and discuss ASTM’s ongoing work in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to senior engineers at Emirates Airlines. 

Partnerships

MCC Project

The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Board recently approved funding for the training of 12 engineers from Cote d’Ivoire (Africa) on standards associated with laboratory testing of asphalt cement, asphalt concrete, aggregates, and soil-cement.

Standards Alliance Programs

Petroleum Standards Harmonization in West Africa

ASTM and the American Petroleum Institute (API) are working under the Standards Alliance to conduct a three-year project focused on harmonizing petroleum test methods in West Africa.

United Nations Committee on Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)

ASTM International was granted consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2021. The consultative status provides ASTM access to the ECOSOC, its many subsidiary bodies, the various mechanisms of the United Nations, ad -hoc processes, and special events organized by the President of the General Assembly.

In February, ASTM participated in the briefing of the General Assembly on Science-based Evidence in Support of Sustainable Solutions.

Also in February, ASTM achieved ad hoc observer status in the United Nations Scientific and Technical Committee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).

In March, ASTM participated in the U.N. Water Conference.

Communications

Public/Media Relations

To date, the communications department has issued 64 press releases, heavily targeting industry and trade press outlets. This total includes technical committee news, member awards, announcements about new board members, and more.

Media inquiries continue steadily, many from trade publications interested in topics such as aviation fuels, additive manufacturing, and road and paving materials.

Internal Communications

The “In the Square” e-newsletter provides insight on key events, new hires, retirements, IT Tips, HR updates, 125th related activities, and relevant DEI&B efforts. The department is also responsible for a general “news” channel on Yammer, ASTM’s internal social platform.

Standardization News

SN began its coverage of ASTM’s 125th anniversary in 2023, publishing the winners of the 125th Anniversary Case Study Contest and looking forward to a May/June feature commemorating the history of ASTM. Congratulatory messages from members, companies, and fellow SDOs will also be published in 2023.

Recent print features have covered big data, 2023 chair Bill Ells, and standards to make supply chains stronger, while SN Online features in the same timeframe have covered PFAS in consumer products, standards to test for metal corrosion, and nondestructive testing.

ASTM’s social media followers continue to grow and number well over 120,000. This audience continues to expand the reach of SN content and drive traffic to SN Online as well as ASTM’s main website.

SmartBrief Newsletter

The open rate for ASTM SmartBrief remains steady at 20%, with the newsletter accounting for a large percentage of traffic driven to SN features and the ASTM website. This news digest on standards and standards development remains a valuable member resource.

Video

Efforts to produce videos of greater variety (including short-form content like the “Why ASTM?” series) have resulted in 57,000 views year-to-date on YouTube, more than all of 2022. 

Social Media

ASTM’s audience continues to grow rapidly. Impressions are 25% higher in the first three months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, with ASTM on track to top 2.75 million for the year. Total followers are approaching 70,000 on LinkedIn.

Sales and Marketing

Stuart Radcliffe, ASTM’s vice president of sales and marketing, presented to the board, noting the launch of Compass Points on the Compass platform on Feb 1. Subscription sales continue to increase, as well as laboratory services, which have seen a 22% growth rate year over year.

Improvements to multiple products are planned for 2023, including ASTM SpecBuilder, Compass, and the public website. ■