Standardization News

IFC and ASTM International Sign Memorandum of Understanding for Global PPE Activity

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and ASTM International signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on March 25 to promote the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in select countries around the world. 

Under the MoU, ASTM and IFC will work together to develop and disseminate knowledge on PPE standards and compliance requirements globally. Scientific studies have shown that the proper use of PPE, such as face masks, is highly effective in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19. ASTM and IFC will promote awareness and good international practices related to the use of PPE, including through capacity building and standards cooperation, in select countries. IFC’s involvement is under its Global Health Platform, which supports investments in health products and services related to the pandemic.

“We are excited to be partnering with IFC to advance the understanding and acceptance of personal protective equipment standards in a variety of countries around the world,” said Katharine Morgan, ASTM International president. “We look forward to working together to share ASTM’s technical knowledge and standards so that the world can benefit from better-performing PPE.”

Tania Lozansky, the global head of advisory services for manufacturing, agribusiness, and services at IFC, said, “IFC’s Global Health Platform was launched to support healthcare providers and health product manufacturers in emerging markets with investments and advisory services. As part of this initiative, IFC aims to enhance local production of quality PPE in developing countries and diversify the global supply base. ASTM’s extensive experience on PPE standards development and adoption is critical to this agenda.”

The MoU describes a framework for collaboration that would occur in two main categories:

• Raising awareness about applicable PPE standards and compliance requirements for medical- and nonmedical-grade PPE, and
• Assisting in the adoption of international PPE standards, specifically community mask standards, by relevant national authorities in the selected countries. 

IFC and ASTM have agreed to develop educational material regarding PPE, conduct a series of webinars for PPE manufacturers, leverage ASTM’s existing agreements with national standards bodies or relevant associations in the selected countries, and establish cooperative agreements with relevant stakeholder organizations, among other activities. 

ASTM International recently launched the Global Collaboration Forum for Personal Protective Equipment aimed at addressing challenges facing PPE and advancing standards development. The goal is to facilitate collaborative activities and inter-organizational communication to address the needs of PPE manufacturers and to promote technical alignment in the global PPE supply chain. Learn more.

ASTM International Hosts Informational Webinar on Global PPE Forum

ASTM International hosted an introductory webinar on March 16 about the recently announced collaboration forum on personal protective equipment (PPE). 

The global collaboration platform, aimed at addressing challenges facing PPE and accelerating standards development, was launched in conjunction with the publication of the technical white paper, “Global Collaboration to Advance Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Safety, Quality, and Innovation.” These efforts have been in tandem with the work of members of ASTM’s personal protective clothing and equipment committee (F23). The committee recently approved the specification for barrier face coverings (F3502), which establishes minimum design, performance, labeling, and care requirements for reusable barrier face coverings.

The global collaboration platform webinar included remarks from:

• Katherine Morgan, ASTM International president,
• John Logar, ASTM 2021 board chair and senior director of aseptic processing and terminal sterilization at Johnson & Johnson Microbiological Quality and Sterility Assurance, 
• Karen Lehtonen, F23 chair and vice president of innovation and product management at Lion First Responder Products Inc., and
• Ross Brindle, founder and chief executive officer with Nexight Group.

The hour-long session included presentations on:

• ASTM and the organization’s role in PPE standards development,
• Challenges facing PPE and standards development,
• Benefits of global collaboration,
• Identification of potential stakeholders,
• ASTM’s leadership role in the collaboration platform, and
• Next steps.

The barrier face covering standard is available HERE, along with 28 other related standards at no cost. This availability is part of ASTM International’s ongoing commitment to providing no-cost public access to important standards used in the production and testing of PPE to combat the coronavirus public health emergency.

Awardees Announced for Two New Additive Manufacturing Research Projects 

ASTM International’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) has announced awardees from its call for projects (CFP) in support of its Research to Standards initiative to further accelerate additive manufacturing (AM) standards development.

For the first time, this CFP allowed non-AM CoE partners to propose and receive support for projects focused on closing AM standardization gaps. A review process was conducted by a panel of experts from the F42 additive manufacturing group on research and innovation, resulting in the selection of two high-impact projects.

“The broadening of this project call has further strengthened the AM CoE’s research-and-development capabilities and enhanced engagement with the global AM community,” said Mohsen Seifi, Ph.D., ASTM director of global additive manufacturing programs. “We received a strong international response with a diverse range of topics, reflecting the high demand to bridge research to standards in the AM industry.”

One awardee, Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT (Germany), will generate data required to support a new standard for monitoring the health status of optical systems in laser beam powder bed fusion (LB-PBF) machines. This work has the potential to improve the reliability of AM systems while reducing maintenance downtime and costs. 

“This support provides Fraunhofer ILT with a perfect framework to bolster the industrial adoption of LB-PBF with our continued research,” said Christian Tenbrock, group manager for laser powder bed fusion at Fraunhofer ILT. “We look forward to collaborating with ASTM International to further the impact of laser technology in the field of additive manufacturing.” 

The other awardee, the National Research Council Canada, with partners Swerim (Sweden), Sirris (Belgium), and RISE (Sweden), will develop data to support a new standard for determination of moisture content in AM powder feedstocks critical to the reliability, stability, and productivity of AM processes. Feedstocks are handled under controlled conditions, however, moisture cannot always be avoided, which impacts process robustness. This work will help develop data needed to validate methods to monitor moisture and increase process reliability.

Through its partnerships, the AM CoE has initiated 22 research and development projects to date, covering a broad range of topics such as AM data, feedstock, process qualification, in situ monitoring, inspection, and testing. For more information on the AM CoE, visit www.amcoe.org.

Training Sessions Held for Partners Worldwide

Technical training sessions continue to be held as part of the work of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) program with partners worldwide. Recent activities address varied requested topics. 

A session was held on “ASTM’s Contributions in Personal Protective Equipment to Face Public Health Challenges” as part of an Arab Industrial Development, Standardization, and Mining Organization (AIDSMO) workshop. AIDSMO is a recent MoU partner.

A presentation by Larry Tucker, a member of the petroleum products, liquid fuels, and lubricants committee (D02), presented and discussed crude oil testing with stakeholders at the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS).

Participation was robust in a recent GCC Standards Organization (GSO) workshop. Building on a successful partnership with GSO, the workshop explored “ASTM’s Contributions to the Development of the Industrial Sector.”

A technical session held with INACAL, the Peruvian national standards body, focused on the specification for denatured fuel ethanol for blending with gasolines for use as automotive spark-ignition fuel (D4806). The program, the second webinar on this topic, is aiding the Peruvian national committee as it considers updates to its national standard.

ASTM standards for construction were addressed with MoU partner OHN, the Honduran national standards body. A follow-up program is being planned with the Ministry of Economic Development and will feature former ASTM International board member Manuel Lascarro, who will share his experience on the use of ASTM standards to improve building quality in Colombia.

A joint webinar offered by the ASTM International United Arab Emirates Chapter that focused on standards and recommendations for steel bars for concrete reinforcement. ASTM was pleased to be joined by a speaker from the American Welding Society. 

ASTM and ICONTEC Host Cannabis Webinar

ASTM International conducted a webinar, “Standardization and Services Related to the Cannabis Industry,” in association with the Colombian Institute of Technical Standards and Certification (ICONTEC) on April 15. Participants in the webinar discussed recent initiatives by ASTM and ICONTEC related to cannabis and the hemp industry, including standards being developed by the cannabis committee (D37), the new certification program for cannabis, and the activities of ICONTEC’s committee on cannabis. 

ASTM International does not advocate for the legalization of cannabis and defers to government authorities to determine the legal and regulatory framework regarding its control and use.

Experts from Saudi Arabia Selected for 2021 TVGP Program

Two experts from the Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO) of Saudi Arabia have been selected to take part in Technical Visitor Grant Program (TVGP) program later this year. The candidates will study the topics of fire safety in conjunction with the committee on fire standards (E05) and amusement rides in conjunction with the committee on amusement rides and devices (F24).

TVGP is a key component of ASTM International’s memorandum of understanding (MoU) program, helping to communicate the value of ASTM standards globally. SASO has been an MoU partner since 2007. The MoU program co-sponsors two technical experts annually for several weeks. ■

ASTM International continues to support the Conshohocken Free Library, Pennsylvania, and recent contributions have been instrumental to the library’s virtual programming. A virtual thank you celebrated the ongoing partnership.