ASTM International, originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), was formed more than a century ago. One of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world, it is a trusted source for technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services. For more than a century, ASTM has met the technical needs of commerce. ASTM International provides a forum in which stakeholders from both the supply and demand sides of the marketplace come together and produce documents for trade and best business practices that are used around the globe. ASTM’s market extends over 100 industrial and management sectors, ranging from construction materials and environmental assessment to medical devices and property management systems. More than 100 nations are represented in ASTM International. It’s worth a visit to the Web site, www.astm.org, on a periodic basis, to see what’s new.
The site map indicates several categories of information: Products and Services, Technical Committees, and Newsroom and Information. Go to Products and Services and you’ll find a list that includes Standards, Books and Journals, Training Courses and Programs. Under “Standards,” you can search for an individual standard, or obtain the annual book of ASTM standards or compilations, or subscribe to the Standards Tracker Service. The service allows you to receive updates, via e-mail, detailing new publications and services related to your industry by completing and submitting a form. As applicable publications and services become available, you’ll receive e-mails, each of which will include an option to unsubscribe from this service. “Books and Journals” allows you to search for publications, which include technical papers, and also offers a publishing guide and online paper submittal. The “Training Courses” link lists courses, including options online and outside the United States. You can search the Technical Committees by designation or alphabetically. Committee Resources include Guidance for Writing and Balloting Standards, Standards Development Forums, Virtual Meetings, Society Review of Standards, Contract & Project Management Services, Honors & Awards, Member & Officer Training, and Resources for US Technical Advisory Groups (US TAGS). Key Documents & Forms include Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, Draft Standard Templates, ASTM Technical Committee Officer Handbook, Strategic Planning Manual, How-To Articles and Guidance on Precision and Bias.
