ASTM International Supports New Commerce Department Initiative on Standards

ASTM International announced today
that it supports the assessment on standards issued by the U.S. Department of
Commerce (DOC). Titled Standards and Competitiveness – Coordinating for
Results, the new report, issued yesterday, assesses the Commerce Department’s
activities to reduce standards-related trade barriers and recommends steps to
increase the reach and effectiveness of the DOC and other federal agencies’
coordination of trade-related standards and conformity assessment.
In a press conference on Tuesday, 18 May 2004, Commerce Secretary Donald
L. Evans said, “We have good news to tell. The Department has made tangible
improvements in how we tackle standards-related issues that can distort trade
and undermine the competitiveness of U.S. products. And there are more
improvements to come.” Affecting an estimated 80% of world trade, standards
are critical to manufacturing competitiveness in global markets, as they can
facilitate international trade or impede access to foreign markets, the report
explains.
In March 2003, the Commerce Department announced an eight-point initiative
in response to growing concern by U.S. industry, trade associations, and
standards development organizations regarding foreign standards development
and technical regulation as important trade issues. Over the past year, ASTM
International has been involved with this DOC initiative in the form of
participation in industry roundtables, identifying priority standards issues
in international markets, and commenting on training programs for commercial
service officers.
James A. Thomas, president of ASTM International, says, “We are pleased
that the level of standards awareness has been raised through this initiative.
We look forward to implementation of the recommendations in the report.”
The 50 recommendations contained in the report will help the Commerce
Department identify new opportunities and better ways to work with the private
sector and other U.S. government agencies on standards-related issues. ASTM
International will follow Commerce Secretary Evans’ call to review the report
and advise the Department of Commerce on priorities for follow-up efforts.
The full report, as well as Secretary Evans’ news conference remarks, can
be accessed at the U.S. Department of Commerce website www.commerce.gov (or go to the continued link below).
Established in 1898, ASTM International provides a global forum for the
development and publication of voluntary international consensus standards for
materials, products, systems, and services. ASTM International standards are
accepted and used in research and development, product testing, quality
systems, and commercial transactions around the globe.