Standardization News

A new ASTM standard will help manufacturers incorporate more sustainable practices into production. The new standard, developed by ASTM International Committee E60 on Sustainability, will ultimately help companies reduce costs, improve quality, incorporate best practices, and more.

ASTM member Kevin Lyons, group leader, National Institute of Standards and Technology, notes that the new standard (E3012, Guide for Characterizing Environmental Aspects of Manufacturing Process) provides structure and formalism to ensure consistency in characterizing sustainable manufacturing processes. From there, computers can provide information and analytics on production and performance.

Lyons explains that using the standard will help business transition into science-based modeling, decision-making, and production.

"This standard furthers measurement science to quantify manufacturing practices to benefit industrial competitiveness," says Lyons. "Benefits for using the standard will include reduced operational costs, improved prediction of product costs, improved schedule, enhanced manufacturing resources, improved quality control, and incorporation of best practices."

Manufacturers, as well as software suppliers that provide analysis and modeling solutions, will be the primary users of the new standard. The subcommittee that developed E3012 encourages manufacturers, especially small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), to demonstrate and report on their use of the standard, with the goal of keeping ensuring high-quality revisions in the future.

To purchase standards, visit www.astm.org and search by the standard designation, or contact ASTM Customer Relations (tel +1.877.909.ASTM; sales@astm.org). ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member at www.astm.org/JOIN.

CONTACT Technical Information: Kevin Lyons, National Institute of Standards and Technology • Gaithersburg, Md. • tel +1.301.975.6550 | ASTM Staff: Stephen Mawn • tel +1.610.832.9726 | Upcoming Meeting: October 24-27 • October Committee Week • Orlando, Fla.