Standardization News

Meetings and events held in three countries were highlights of the Sept. 11-15 Central America Road Show.

During the week, the road show team connected with close to 400 stakeholders in El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Panamá. The region uses numerous ASTM International standards, particularly in the construction sector. The 2017 trip served as a follow up to a similar effort held in Perú, Chile, and Colombia last year.

El Salvador

The highlight of the visit to El Salvador was an industry workshop attended by 150 interested stakeholders. In collaboration with the ASTM International memorandum of understanding partner there, the Organismo Salvadoreño de Normalización, a half-day session was held that included key presentations and attendance from the Ministry of Public Works, Chamber of Construction, and Federation of Engineers. ASTM technical presentations included talks on plastic pipe and cement/concrete.

At the El Salvador industry workshop are (from left): Alejandro Navarro-Labastie, Advanced Drainage Systems; Maria Isabel Barrios, ASTM Latin America representative; Sonia Adams, account development manager, ASTM; Marlon Vigil Sánchez, Salvadoran Cement and Concrete Institute (ISCYC); Yanira Colindres, Organismo Salvadoreño de Normalización; and James Olshefsky, director of external relations, ASTM.

Costa Rica

Outreach meetings in Costa Rica included meetings with the MOU partner Instituto de Normas Técnicas de Costa Rica (INTECO), the University of Costa Rica, and the Costa Rican Institute of Cement and Concrete. In addition, a workshop was held for industry stakeholders. The application of ASTM standards in three different sectors was highlighted, as was a presentation about the integration of standards in engineering curricula.

The Costa Rica event included a lab visit at the University of Costa Rica. From left are Maria Isabel Barrios, ASTM Latin America representative; Guillermo González Beltrán, University of Costa Rica; James Olshefsky, director of external relations, ASTM; Sonia Adams, account development manager, ASTM; Alejandro Navarro-Labastie, Advanced Drainage Systems; and Felipe Calvo Villalobos, Instituto de Normas Técnicas de Costa Rica.

Panamá

In Panama City, ASTM participated in the Panamanian Chamber of Construction’s (CAPAC) exhibition and conference. The CAPAC show is said to be the largest held each year in Central America. ASTM staff and members made three conference presentations and hosted an exhibit booth. Other visits included ASTM’s MOU partner Dirección General de Normas y Tecnología Industrial, and with the Panama Authority for Consumer Protection and Defense of Competition, Panamanian Association of Concrete Producers, and the Technological University of Panama.

At an exhibition in Panamá are (from left): Cesar Constantino, Separation Technologies LLC, and an ASTM International board member; Jorge Luis Quirós, Panamanian Chamber of Construction; Maria Isabel Barrios, ASTM Latin America representative; Sonia Adams, account development manager, ASTM; and James Olshefsky, director of external relations, ASTM.