Learning Module

Series
Introduction to
Standards and Trade

www.astm.org

© ASTM International
Outline

ASTM US Standards US World Trade

International System Government’s Organization
Overview Role

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ASTM International – An Overview

- Organized in 1898
- The largest U.S.-based standards
developer
- Non-governmental, not-for-profit
organization

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What is a Standard?

Technical document developed by consensus

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ASTM International
Standards Development Process
- Provides a management system for
the development of voluntary,
consensus standards
- Does not provide certification, testing
or accreditation services

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ASTM Technical Committees

145 Technical Committees

 Consumer Products
 Steel
 Petroleum
 Construction/Building Plastics
 Paint
 Textiles
 Environmental
 Medical Devices
 Many, many more

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Global Use and Application

Over 75 nations utilize ASTM standards in their regulations

or as the basis of their national standards
 China – 643
 Colombia – 1169
 Egypt – 392
 South Africa - 539

75
nations utilize
ASTM standards

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U.S. Standardization in General

- No single organization, public or private, controls

the U.S. standards development system
- In the U.S. there are multiple methods of standards
development (400 developers)
- The system is coordinated - publicly and privately
- The U.S. system is unregulated, market-oriented
and diverse

400
developers

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ANSI and the U.S. Standards Strategy

- Developed first in 2000 and revised in 2005

- Facilitated by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
- Common vision for national and international standardization

2005
2000 Revised
Developed

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Conformity Assessment

Any activity to determine, directly or indirectly, that a process, product,

or service meets relevant standards and fulfills relevant requirements

- i.e. Underwriters Laboratories (UL)

- Europe – “Notified Body”

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U.S. Federal Regulation

The U.S. Administrative Procedure Act

allows executive branch government
agencies to develop detailed rules and
regulations through a public "rulemaking"
process where the public is allowed to
comment. After a period of time, the rules
and regulations are usually published in
the Federal Register.

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Support and Mandate for Government
Participation
“…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 such bodies in the
development of technical standards.”
P.L. 104-113
National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA)

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US Government and Trade

ITA’s Standards and

USTR Trade Policy
Competitiveness Report

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Free Trade Agreements

- Eliminate tariffs, quotas and preferences on most (if not all) goods
between trade partners
- Help level the international playing field and encourage foreign
governments to adopt open and transparent rulemaking
procedures, as well as non-discriminatory laws and regulations

Level the
international
playing field

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Rules of Trade

World Trade Organization (WTO)

- Established in 1995 to deal with the rules of trade between nations
at a global or near-global level.

Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement (TBT)

- Prohibits use of regulations, standards, and conformity assessment
(technical measures) as barriers to trade

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Standards as Key Components of Trade

WTO / TBT Principles ASTM Principles

- Transparency - Transparency
- Openness - Openness
- Impartiality and consensus - Impartiality and consensus
- Effectiveness and relevance - Effectiveness and relevance
- Coherence - Coherence
- Consideration of developing nations - Consideration of developing nations

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Standards as Key Components of Trade

TBT Inquiry Point

- Each WTO member is required to
report to the WTO Secretariat in
Geneva, proposed central government
regulations and provide a 60 day
comment period to allow other WTO
members to review and comment on
the proposal.
- National Center for Standards and
Certification Information

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Barriers to Trade Disputes

The WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body

(DSB), and in particular its Appellate
Body, have made it very difficult for
WTO Members to use technical
regulations (TBT Agreement) and
health regulations (SPS Agreement)
as a form of disguised protectionism,
and several Members have taken
advantage of the DSB for this
purpose.

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Summary/Conclusion

Standards are ASTM standards The WTO defines ASTM is committed

key documents are international the principles of to the concept of
for trade standards that international multiple paths to
are used globally standards international
standards

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Contact Information

Jim Olshefsky Anthony Quinn

Director, Director,
External Relations Public Policy and International Trade
jolshefs@astm.org aquinn@astm.org

www.astm.org
www.astm.org/GLOBAL/

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 Thank you

www.astm.org

© ASTM International