Standardization News

Small Business in Action

At ASTM International, small is big.

In 2016, we are celebrating the contributions of the thousands of individuals from small and medium sized enterprises who serve on our technical committees through our Year of the SME: Small Business in Action.

SMEs fuel economies around the world by providing the majority of private sector jobs worldwide; driving research, development and innovation; and accounting for more than half of gross domestic product in many countries.

When they participate in ASTM, SMEs are helping to create the very standards that in turn will help them grow, compete and succeed on a global scale.

And ASTM makes it easy for every SME to have a seat at the table.

The ASTM Standards Development Advantage

Our consensus-driven approach to standards development ensures that every individual from a small business has an equal voice and an equal vote alongside representatives of larger companies as well as government, academia and consumer groups.
Membership in ASTM is cost-effective, with low membership fees and no meeting registration fees. Plus, state-of-the-art, web-based standards development tools such as online forums, virtual meetings, electronic balloting and more help reduce travel costs.
Participating in the development of ASTM standards - and using them - gives SMEs a competitive advantage both in making and marketing their products.
Many ASTM standards directly help SMEs reduce costs and increase profits. ASTM standards reflect processes, practices and test methods that industry experts have worked to optimize.
ASTM's structure fosters collaboration with peers, suppliers and customers who drive innovation throughout your industry in the form of new and revised standards.