American Society for Testing Materials
ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials
(ASTM), is a globally recognized leader in the development and delivery of international
voluntary consensus standards. Today, some 12,000 ASTM standards are used around
the world to improve product quality, enhance safety, facilitate market access and
trade, and build consumer confidence.
ASTM’s leadership in international standards development is driven by the contributions
of its members: more than 30,000 of the world’s top technical experts and business
professionals representing 135 countries. Working in an open and transparent process
and using ASTM’s advanced electronic infrastructure, ASTM members deliver the test
methods, specifications, guides and practices that support industries and governments
worldwide.
ASTM was formed in 1898 by chemists and engineers from the Pennsylvania Railroad.
At the time of its establishment, the organization was known as the American Section
of the International Association for Testing and Materials. Charles B. Dudley, Ph.D.,
a chemist with the Pennsylvania Railroad, was the driving force behind the formation
of the Society. In 2001, the Society became known as ASTM International. More on
ASTM’s history.
- ASTM International standards are the tools of customer satisfaction and competiveness
for companies across a wide range of markets. Through 141 technical standards-writing
committees, ASTM serves diverse industries ranging from metals to construction,
petroleum to consumer products, and many more. When new industries look to advance
the growth of cutting-edge technologies, such as nanotechnology and additive manufacturing,
many of them come together under the ASTM International umbrella to achieve their
standardization goals.
- In the arena of global commerce, ASTM International standards are the passports
to a successful trading strategy. High quality, market-relevant ASTM standards,
developed in accordance with the guiding principles of the World Trade Organization,
fuel trade by opening new markets and creating new trading partners for enterprises
everywhere. From Fortune 500 leaders to emerging startups, ASTM standards help level
the playing field so that businesses of all sizes can better compete in the global
economy.
- ASTM International standards are developed in accordance with the guiding principles
of the World Trade Organization for the development of international standards:
coherence, consensus, development dimension, effectiveness, impartiality, openness,
relevance and transparency.
- ASTM International welcomes and encourages participation from around the world in
the development of its standards. ASTM’s open consensus process, using advanced
Internet-based standards development tools, ensures worldwide access for all interested
individual.
- Beyond its leadership in the area of standards development, ASTM International offers
technical training programs for industry and government, as well as proficiency
testing, interlaboratory crosscheck programs and newly initiated certification programs,
which support manufacturers, users, researchers and laboratories worldwide.
- ASTM offers many Standard Test Methods for Skylight and Exterior Window Manufacturers,
including everything from Water Penetration to Strength testing of materials used
in the manufacture of these products.
