Standardization News

Information about ASTM standards as they relate to green codes and sustainable construction was presented at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation workshop, "Utilizing Green Building Codes to Increase Building Performance," held in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Oct. 20-21, 2014.

The workshop was one of the culminating events for the multi-year APEC project, "The Role of Standards and Conformity Assessment Measures in Enhancing the Performance of the Commercial Building Sector," proposed by ASTM International and the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2011 under the leadership of the United States. The project has focused on minimizing and eliminating unnecessary obstacles to trade in building products while also encouraging the use of technologies that conserve energy and other natural resources.

Christopher Mathis, president, MC2, Asheville, North Carolina, spoke on ASTM's behalf. In his presentation, "Critical Role of Standards in Developing and Achieving Green Building Objectives," Mathis provided context for why buildings matter when considering sustainability and the challenges with sustainability objectives. He used examples from the United States' experience in insulation, appliances, windows and other products to show how standards are an important foundation for transforming the market to accept more energy efficient products.