Standardization News

ASTM International’s human resource management (E63) committee has released two proposed standards on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy, development, and assessment. WK91417 will help outline the integration of DEI in the workplace and WK91418 will be used to guide DEI assessments.

DEI practitioners, HR leaders, and other consultants will find these standards useful and will be able to incorporate them in future developments and assessments. There is variation of work in the field, so the establishment of quality standard practices may be beneficial.

Sara Taylor, vice chair of E63 and the chair of the subcommittee on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) (E63.01), stated, “There is also an abundance of inefficient and ineffective practice because too many individuals and groups charged with doing this work try to figure it out on their own or refer to common practice instead of best practice.”

This effort supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Taylor explained that they are always looking for experienced practitioners to help review because of the misunderstanding that surrounds DEI work. Taylor continued, “With standards we can raise awareness and quality of work.”

ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member at www.astm.org/JOIN.