Standardization News

Shown from left to right at the ASEAN-ACCSQ meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Simon Kim, Asia affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce; Shirley V. Ramesh, senior officer for standards and conformance, Trade and Facilitation Division, Market Integration Directorate, ASEAN Economic Community Department; and Liu Fei, chief representative, ASTM International China office.

Liu Fei, chief representative, ASTM International China office, met with standards officials at two different meetings during an April trip to Malaysia.

On April 11, Liu Fei met with more than 40 staff members at SIRIM, a global research and standards development organization, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Liu Fei presented information on the ASTM International standards development system and global projects. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session covering international standards philosophy, membership, balloting, negative votes, committee balance and other subjects. Several audience members demonstrated good mastery of ASTM's open participation and consensus process.

The following day, Liu Fei joined the dialogue between the U.S. Department of Commerce and the ASEAN Consultative Committee for Standards and Quality (ACCSQ), also in Kuala Lumpur. He presented ASTM's international's open and consensus process and the Memorandum of Understanding Program. About 50 officials and standards experts from seven ASEAN nations attended the meeting, in which they learned why and how ASTM can support ASEAN nations in international commerce and the marketplace.