Standardization News

ASTM and ICC Host Middle East Delegation for Intensive Training

Members of the GSO intensive training delegation visited the International Code Council in Chicago during their two week stay in the United States.

ASTM International and The International Code Council hosted a delegation of officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council Standardization Organization (GSO) from April 3-14. GSO includes the national standards bodies of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

During their stay, the delegation did the following:

  • Visited the offices of ASTM International, the International Code Council, and Underwriters Laboratories, and received training on the International Green Construction Code and other topics;
  • Met with engineering firms and manufacturers who use ASTM standards and ICC codes;
  • Visited local government agencies responsible for code enforcement such as the New York City Building Department and City of San Antonio Building Department;
  • Participated in the biannual meetings of ASTM committees E06 on Performance of Buildings and E60 on Sustainability; and,
  • Visit a major research and development hub (Southwest Research Institute).

These activities are coordinated through the Standards and Codes for Sustainable Construction project, a three-year partnership between ICC and ASTM supported in part by the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration's Market Development Cooperator Program. The project supports the Gulf region's efforts related to energy efficiency, water conservation, materials management, building safety and overall economic growth. This partnership is now in its second year.

For more information, visit the ASTM website.


Issue Month
May/June
Issue Year
2016