Standardization News

ASTM Is a Co-Overseer of September Event

On Sept. 11-13, a joint Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and Association of Southeast Asian Nations conference titled "Green Buildings and Green Growth: Approaches to Encouraging a Positive Green Building Climate," will take place at the Building and Construction Authority Academy facility in Singapore. Bringing together 24 economies and up to 150 participants from the Asia-Pacific region, this joint APEC-ASEAN effort to promote sustainable building practices illustrates the strength of their partnership.

ASTM International and the U.S. Department of Commerce are project co-overseers for the project. This public/private partnership was responsible for formulating the proposal that received APEC funding for a baseline survey and the March 2011 conference titled "Green Buildings and Green Growth: The Enabling Role of Standards and Trade," held in Washington, D.C. Due to high interest in the topic and the support of the Building and Construction Authority in Singapore and the U.S. Agency for International Development, the second conference will take place.

APEC and ASEAN members will discuss the future of sustainable building in Southeast Asia at the meeting. The conference will provide a forum for stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with green building in the Asia-Pacific region regarding terms and definitions, life cycle assessment, rating systems, labeling, inappropriate or incomplete claims of sustainability, performance evaluation and certification, experiences with the development and implementation of sustainable buildings policies and programs and trade of green products across the entire Asia-Pacific region.

Since the establishment of APEC in 1989 by 12 Pacific Rim economies, five of which were also founding members of ASEAN, the two organizations have worked toward a common goal of sustainable economic growth for the Asia-Pacific region through the promotion of free trade and increased economic integration. In light of the tremendous growth in the region in recent years, APEC and ASEAN have renewed their focus on sustainability by pursuing green building initiatives to ensure the continued prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.