ASTM International - A giant step to a better global world

Did you ever wonder what that little stamp “ASTM” that shows up on many of the products you purchase means? You’ll find it (or the letters themselves) on everything from plumber’s pipe to cosmetics. I noticed and went on a discovery trip to find out about it.

Originally the letters stood for American Society for Testing and Materials or “ASTM”. However, today the organization has expanded to ASTM International. Originally formed in 1898, today the new ASTM International boosts over 30,000 members from 120 countries around the world. It is the largest standards development organization in the world, membership is voluntary and open to scientists, developers, manufacturers and those with a need for the knowledge and is open throughout the globe. ASTM International member groups are known for creating high technical quality standards by a sharing of knowledge and findings. This allows for a standards consensus in the consumer market ensuring that products, systems and services are safer and more cost-effective. Because of the relevancy and quality of their research, the organization was able to build a reputation during the 1900's that governments as well as environmental and industrial groups en mass used for standardization across the global economy.

The organization is made up of approximately 227 technical committees researching and testing standards on everything from unmanned air vehicle systems, 3D Imaging systems and textiles to face cream, tires and healthcare informatics as well as everything in between. Each committee is broken into sub-committees, creating thousands of groups all working in tandem. ASTM International has over 200 sub-committee meetings each year as well as a yearly meeting for each of the 227 technical committees. In addition, they offer about 20 symposiums each year on a variety of subjects. Those I talked with have attended meetings all across the US as well as Belgium, France and Canada. As a rule these meetings help to identify critical areas emerging in technology and usually form the basis for new and revised standards. The symposiums are typically held along with governmental agencies and international professional organizations thus producing better communication and standards for all. The papers presented are reviewed by peers in the industry and published by ASTM International. Additionally, in service to the community, they offer professional and technical training courses with practical training on the standards that impact every industry and most governmental agencies. The CEU classes run one to three days and are advertised as very intense, focused and professional. Costs generally run from $495 to $995USD per course.

Through their MOU program, ASTM International works to promote development of an international standardization of systems that help avoid duplication of effort across the globe and aid in each country's health, safety, environmental and economic conditions by encouraging, increasing and facilitating the participation of technical experts from around the world. They boost offices around the globe including ones in the US, China and Mexico. ASTM International headquarters is based in West Conshohocken, PA and questions can be directed to their customer service team at 610-832-9585.

Personally, given the members and staff I've encountered as well as the papers I've read and the mission of the organization, I find this group to be some of the finest professionals in the world and am happy to bring ASTM International to the attention of the reader.

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