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ASTM International

ASTM International Government Interface & Corporate Outreach Anthony Quinn Director, Public Policy Sarah Petre Manager, Federal and Industry Affairs. ASTM International. About ASTM International Non-governmental, not-for-profit organization Develops voluntary, consensus standards

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ASTM International

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  1. ASTM InternationalGovernment Interface & Corporate OutreachAnthony Quinn Director, Public PolicySarah PetreManager, Federal and Industry Affairs

  2. ASTM International • About ASTM International • Non-governmental, not-for-profit organization • Develops voluntary, consensus standards • Provides certification programs on limited basis • Does not provide accreditation services • ASTM’s objectives • Promote public health and safety, and the overall quality of life • Contribute to the reliability of materials, products, systems and services • Facilitate national, regional, and international commerce

  3. Role of Standards • Standards in the Public and Private Sector • Impact global trade, innovation and competition • Guide product design, development, market access • Used by companies, research labs, government agencies • ASTM International Standards • Voluntary consensus standards • Regularly reviewed • Meet World Trade Organization (WTO) principles for international standards

  4. I. Government Interface

  5. ASTM in Washington, DC • Government Affairs • Congress • Federal government agencies • Stakeholder Outreach • Companies • Embassy officials based in Washington • Industry associations • International Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

  6. ASTM in Washington, DC • Connects ASTM’s work and builds awareness among policymakers. • Represents ASTM before Congress, federal agencies, ANSI, other SDOs, and trade associations. • Engages in legislative, regulatory, and trade matters. • Strengthens relationships with ASTM stakeholders

  7. Advancing ASTM’s Mission • Remove barriers to the worldwide acceptance and use of ASTM standards. • Ensure proper recognition of ASTM standards in laws and regulations. • Address government policies that duplicate or conflict with the interests of ASTM. • Identify opportunities for new ASTM activities • Government legislation, regulation, and research initiatives create the need for new standards.

  8. U.S. Standards System • Voluntary and led by the private sector • Requires cooperation among stakeholders • Standards organizations • Industry, consumers, and users • Government representatives • Academia • Meets stakeholders’ needs • Protect safety, health, and environment • Improve industry competitiveness • Facilitate global trade and market access

  9. U.S. Legal and Policy Framework • National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA) • Requires federal government agencies to use standards developed by voluntary consensus standards organization when possible • Encourages federal government agencies to participate in standards development organizations • OMB Circular No. A-119 • Reinforces goals of National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act • Discourages federal agencies from using government-unique standards

  10. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) • “…all Federal agencies and departments shall use technical standards that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies, • using such technical standards as a means to carry out policy objectives or activities determined by the agencies and departments…. • and shall, when such participation is in the public interest…participate with suchbodies in the development of technical standards.”

  11. Other U.S. Laws of Interest • Consumer Product Safety Act • 15,000 different types of consumer products • Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Modernization Act of 1997 • Food safety, drugs, and cosmetic products • Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 • Workplace safety and health

  12. U.S. Government Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards • Procurement and Contracts with the Federal Government • Standards are furnished to ensure that materials and services are obtained in an effective manner and in compliance with the provisions of applicable Federal statutes and executive orders • Regulation that incorporates standard by reference • An agency may adopt a voluntary standard (without changes) by incorporating the standard in a regulation by listing (or referencing) the standard by title. • This approach eliminates the cost to the agency of creating a new standard • Regulation based on existing standard • An agency reviews an existing standard and makes changes to match its goal or need. • Agency conducts rulemaking process to solicit public opinion and stakeholder input • Public Notification and Comments • An agency must publish a notice in the Federal Register when making a new rule or incorporating a standard by reference • When creating a new rule based on an existing standard, an agency may change the proposed rule in response to public comments

  13. Federal Agencies & ASTM Standards • U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) • 6,500 voluntary consensus standards incorporated by reference in federal law • About 3,000 ASTM standards listed in CFR for regulations and procurement • U.S. Federal Register • Public notification of standards adoptions • Instructions for public comments

  14. Congress & ASTM Standards in Law Congress may adopt consensus standards by reference into regulation If law is approved, the standard then becomes a mandatory requirement

  15. Top 10 Regulatory SDOs in US Source: http://standards.gov

  16. Benefits to the U.S. Government • Eliminate/reduce costs of developing standards • Decrease costs of good purchased • Commercial off the shelf procurement • Promotes efficiency and economic competition • Relies on the private sector to meet needs • Access to industry experts and technology • Process is faster and more dynamic

  17. U.S. Government Participation in ASTM • U.S. Government is a partner and key stakeholder • Active U.S. Government participation in 93% of ASTM committees • Broad range of federal agencies represented on ASTM committees • 1400 units of U.S. Government participation in ASTM • Government participants serve in leadership roles on ASTM Board of Directors

  18. U.S. Government Participation in ASTM

  19. ASTM Initiatives with U.S. Government • Ensure reference to current standards • Regular review of the Code of Federal Regulations and Congressional Record • Coordinate technical committee communications to policymakers • Understand procurement and regulatory standards needs • Review of Regulatory Plan and Agenda • Encourage government liaison with and participation in committee activities

  20. Facts and Challenges • Standards are not always a top priority • Constant educational process • Agencies must use lengthy rulemaking process to update or revise references • Roles and attitudes vary across federal agencies • At the U.S. state-level, no NTTAA-like policy exists

  21. ASTM Strategy • Understand agency needs, concerns and goals, and how ASTM fits into their agenda. • Communicate • Seek advice from agency reps and other committees • No one size-fits-all approach • Be flexible to meet the needs of agencies

  22. II. Corporate Outreach

  23. ASTM Objective • “Promote a greater corporate awareness regarding the importance of standards and the value of ASTM.” • ASTM 2006 objectives approved by the Board.

  24. ASTM Engages Decision-makers • Raise awareness of standards and ASTM • Identify opportunities for collaboration on policy (regulatory and trade) issues of mutual interest • Seek industry feedback on activities and challenges • including the removal of global barriers to the acceptance and use of ASTM standards • Ensure ASTM is meeting stakeholder needs

  25. Challenges • Executives lack standards knowledge • Casual knowledge of international standardization • View it as technical issue instead of trade barrier • Preconceived notions and misinformation • Confusion about what makes an ‘international standard’ • Often make quick standards decisions • Easiest or cheapest rather than strategic

  26. Benefits to Industry • Minimize safety hazards • Manage liability while reducing risk • Satisfy regulations and laws • Facilitate global trade • Cost savings by procuring readily available equipment at lower costs • Reduce internal company specifications

  27. ASTM Standards Impact the Global Economy • Standards facilitate trade and boost GDP • The U.S. Commerce Department estimates that standards-related issues impacted 80% of world commodity trade. • In 2000, a German study found the direct economic benefit of standardization was 1% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). • ASTM standards impact the global economy • 84 countries from every region of the world reference ASTM standards in laws or codes • Over 400 ASTM standards references in European legislation since 2001

  28. Helping Industry Meet Global Challenges • ASTM’s MOUs with 76 developing countries • MOUs facilitate the use of ASTM standards directly into the national portfolios and technical regulations • ASTM standards open doors and open markets • Easier to export products made and tested to ASTM standards • Technology transfer improves infrastructure for sourcing

  29. MOU Agreements by Region

  30. ASTM Message to Industry • ASTM standards meet World Trade Organization (WTO) criteria for “international standards” • No WTO list of international bodies • WTO recognizes multiple approaches to international standardization • ASTM supports industry needs to choose the best standard, regardless of the source • ASTM makes it easy to participate in international standards development • Technology drives efficiency

  31. WTO Principles for Standards • ASTM International principles: • Transparency • Openness • Impartiality and consensus • Effectiveness and relevance • Coherence • Consideration of developing nations’ views and concerns • WTO principles: • Transparency • Openness • Impartiality and consensus • Effectiveness and relevance • Coherence • Consideration of developing nations’ views and concerns

  32. ASTM Corporate Outreach • ASTM is connecting to the business and manufacturing community • ASTM Board and Staff completed meetings with industry, trade associations, consumer groups, and other stakeholders around the world • Washington, Stockholm, New York City, Moscow, Mexico City, Brussels, Beijing

  33. III. Questions and Discussion

  34. Contact Information • Anthony Quinn, Director, International Trade and Public Policy aquinn@astm.org, 202 223-8484 • Sarah Petre, Manager, Federal and Industry Affairs spetre@astm.org, 202-223-8399 1850 M Street, NW, Suite 1030 Washington, DC 20036 USA

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