Annual Reports Show Continuing Success of MOU Program

Four national standards bodies have submitted annual reports to ASTM that indicate the ongoing success of their memorandums of understanding with ASTM International.

Chile

ASTM and the Instituto Nacional de Normalización, the national standards body of Chile, signed an MOU in 2002. INN is a private foundation that was created by the Corporación de Fomento de la Producción in 1973. INN oversees, fosters and develops standards in Chile for accreditation and metrology. The institution is responsible for the development of technical standards at the national level, the management of the national accreditation system and the coordination of a national metrological network.

INN uses and complies with international standards under the guidelines of the World Trade Organization's Technical Barriers to Trade Committee. Per INN's annual report, 35 ASTM International standards were adopted, referenced or used as the basis of Chilean national standards over the last year. The majority of these standards are from ASTM Committees C01 on Cement, C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and D04 on Road and Paving Materials.

More than 40 individuals from Chile are members of one or more of ASTM's 141 technical committees, and there are also several ASTM student members from Chile. INN has also participated in ASTM technical assistance and training programs on concrete and other topics as part of the MOU program.

Ecuador

ASTM International and INEN signed a memorandum of understanding in 2002. According to the INEN annual report, 22 ASTM International standards were consulted in the preparation of Ecuador national standards over the past year. Many of the standards were from ASTM Committees A05 on Metallic-Coated Iron and Steel Products and C01 on Cement.

Several ASTM standards from various sectors were also used as reference documents by INEN technical committees for their standards development work this year. Close to 100 individuals from Ecuador participate on one or more of ASTM's 141 technical committees.

Saint Lucia

The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards notes that ASTM International standards continue to be referenced in the development of that country's standards as a result of the memorandum of understanding signed by SLBS and ASTM in 2002.

SLBS develops and promotes standards for the improvement of local goods and services in order to encourage industrial and economic development, and to ensure the health and safety of consumers as well as to safeguard the environment. The bureau is also the legal authority for regulating weights and measures activities on the island.

SLBS focuses on the development of standards for various sectors, including construction and engineering, food products and safety, agriculture practices, tourism activities and services, and environmental engineering. According to the report, SLBS referenced 11 ASTM standards on petroleum and concrete in the development of national standards this year. SLBS has also adopted several standards from ASTM Committee F24 on Amusement Rides and Devices.

Sri Lanka

Established under the Bureau of Ceylon Standards Act No. 38 of 1964, SLSI promotes and facilitates standardization, measurement, quality assurance and other activities related to the national economy of Sri Lanka. SLSI oversees more than 1,250 Sri Lanka standards related to products, commodities, materials, processes and practices for various sectors.

SLSI reported that 53 ASTM International standards were adopted as identical Sri Lanka national standards this year, while an additional 15 ASTM standards were consulted in the preparation of Sri Lanka national standards. The majority of those standards were from ASTM Committees D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials and Applications, D20 on Plastics and D28 on Activated Carbon.

Several individuals from Sri Lanka participate on ASTM's 141 technical committees, and many students representing various universities in Sri Lanka are student members of the organization.

The ASTM International MOU Program

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).