Standardization News

Above: Standards experts and ASTM International staff visited Judy Zakreski, vice president, global services, ICC, in October 2018. From left: Felipe Calvo; Efstratia Voursouki, ASTM; Adel Al-Qhtani; Youngkook Kim, KATS; Asirawat Phothiphan; Judy Zakreski; Fulgence St. Prix; Abdulaziz Al-Showair; and James Olshefsky, ASTM.

The 2018 Standards Expert Program

Five standards professionals visited ASTM International last fall for the Standards Expert Program.
For 2018, the following individuals participated: Asirawat Phothiphan, Thai Industrial Standards Institute;  Adel Al-Qhtani and Abdulaziz Al-Showair, Standardization Organization for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GSO); Fulgence St. Prix, CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality; and Felipe Calvo, Instituto de Normas Técnicas de Costa Rica.

The experts participated in a program at ASTM International headquarters that included meetings with regulators and other standards development organization representatives in Washington, D.C.
The SEPs also attended the 2018 November committee week meetings, where the experts participated in a panel discussion, “Standards and Collaboration around the Globe.” Panelists responded to questions including what standards their organization uses, current topics they’re focused on, and further collaboration with ASTM International.

Established in 2005, the Standards Expert Program is a benefit offered to MOU partners.

Amsterdam Conference Highlights Global Drone Standards

In November 2018, ASTM International leaders participated in the European Aviation Safety Agency’s High Level Conference on Drones in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ASTM’s global drone standards were discussed in conversations with government and industry leaders. 

“It is clear that governments and the drone industry throughout Europe know about ASTM International’s leadership in global drone standards, with 17 already published and dozens more on the way,” said Sara Gobbi, director of European affairs for ASTM. She noted that this includes two major priorities for government and industry stakeholders — remote identification and UAS traffic management — that will support civilian low-altitude airspace operations.

“We are pleased to see that the event’s just-issued Amsterdam Declaration emphasizes the global dimension of standards development, in part so that the drone community can avoid duplicative efforts,” noted Gobbi.
Formed in 2003, the ASTM International committee on unmanned aircraft systems (F38) has over 300 members representing more than a dozen countries worldwide. The committee has published standards that support airworthiness, flight operations, personnel training and certification, and more.

ASTM International Board of Directors

ASTM International members are invited to nominate candidates for these positions on the 2020 board of directors: chairman (one-year term); vice chairman (two-year term); and six directors (three-year terms). Nominations must be received by April 1.

Complete biographical information, including the candidate’s name, title, business address, and education as well as professional experience, affiliations, and honors and awards, should be sent to: Maureen Houck
tel +1.610.832.9594

ASTM International to Sponsor Petrochemical Conference in Oman

ASTM International will be a supporting partner of the 2019 Oman Downstream Exhibition and Conference,  which will be held April 15-17 at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. The conference is an annual showcase for global manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers that represent key sectors in the refining and petrochemical industry. The conference focuses on knowledge sharing with a focus on market trends, developments, projects, and more. 

“ASTM International is a proud supporting partner of the Oman Downstream Exhibition and Conference,” according to Nick Ecart, ASTM’s director of international sales for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. “We look forward to this event each year as it allows us the opportunity to highlight the value of ASTM International’s high quality standards and services.”

ASTM International supports several events in the Gulf region each year, including the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, ARABLAB, the World Heavy Oil Congress and Exhibition, Project Qatar, and the Annual Quality Assurance for Sustainable Construction Materials Conference and Workshop.

ASTM International staff participated in the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference held Nov. 12-15, 2018. At the ASTM booth at ADIPEC (from left): James Olshefsky, director of external relations, ASTM; Nick Ecart, director of international sales for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, ASTM; and R.S. Kumar, general manager of Trans World Oil Sources.

17 New ASTM International Proficiency Testing Program Accreditations Now Total 45

On Nov. 8, 2018, ASTM International announced the addition of accreditation for the globally recognized American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) for 17 of its proficiency testing programs.

The new accreditations cover programs including:

• Diesel exhaust fluid,
• Octane,
• Polyethylene plastics,
• Thermoplastics,
• Stainless steel,
• Aluminum,
• Woven fabrics,
• Knit fabrics, and more.

“Labs that turn to ASTM International to help monitor their strengths and weaknesses throughout their organizations can enjoy increased confidence in knowing that their programs meet strict competency standards,” says Tim Brooke, vice president of laboratory services at ASTM.

The recent additions bring the total number of ASTM International programs that have achieved A2LA accreditation to 45, including cetane, engine coolants, biodiesel, and many more. More than 95 percent of ASTM’s Proficiency Testing Programs have now been accredited. 

Programs accredited through A2LA are assessed against criteria from a key standard: Conformity Assessment – General Requirements for Proficiency Testing (ISO/IEC 17043:2010).

More than 5,000 laboratories use ASTM’s statistical quality assurance tools in its Proficiency Testing Programs. For more information and to see a full list of programs, visit www.astm.org/ptp.

Business Meeting

The ASTM International Annual Business Meeting will be held at the members’ luncheon on May 14 during the May committee week. The complimentary luncheon begins at noon at the Sheraton Denver Downtown, Denver, Colorado. Contact: Maureen Houck; tel +1.610.832.9594.

Photos

Standards professionals from around the world visited ASTM International headquarters in late October 2018. While here, the professionals learned more about ASTM and its standard development processes.
From left: Adel Al-Qhtani, Standardization Organization for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GSO); Asirawat Phothiphan, Thai Industrial Standards Institute; Felipe Calvo, Instituto de Normas Técnicas de Costa Rica; James Olshefsky, ASTM; Abdulmohsen Almubadil, General Entertainment Authority; Abdulaziz Al-Showair, GSO; Daniel Chidgey, Standards Australia; AlJawhara AlDaoud, GEA;  Efstratia Voursouki, ASTM; and Fulgence St. Prix, CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality.

On Nov. 29, 2018, ASTM International staff partnered with Rise Against Hunger to package more than 35,000 meals for those in need around the world. More than 100 staff members packed meals of rice, vitamins, and essential nutrients to combat hunger and hunger-related diseases. ASTM’s effort directly ties to the organization’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 2 of Zero Hunger. Rise Against Hunger is an international relief organization that distributes food and other aid to vulnerable communities worldwide with a goal to eliminate hunger by 2030.

During a Nov. 11, 2018, visit to the Directorate General of Standards and Metrology headquarters in Muscat, Khamis Al Farsi (left), the new director general of DGSM — an ASTM International memorandum of understanding partner, met with James Olshefsky, ASTM director of external relations.

James Olshefsky (left), ASTM director of external relations with Naser Ahmed Al Rashedi, director of space policy and legislation at the UAE Space Agency, which adopted regulations in September 2016. The need for standards to support future regulations was discussed.