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Learning Module Series. Introduction to Standards and Trade. Outline. ASTM International Overview US Standards System US Government’s Role World Trade Organization. ASTM International – An Overview. Organized in 1898 The largest U.S.-based standards developer - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Learning Module Series
Introduction to Introduction to Standards and TradeStandards and Trade
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Outline
ASTM International Overview
US Standards System
US Government’s Role
World Trade Organization
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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
140 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
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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
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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
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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
USTR Trade Policy
ITA’s Standards and 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
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Rules of Trade
World Trade Organization (WTO)
o 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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WTO / TBT PrinciplesWTO / TBT Principles ASTM PrinciplesASTM 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
Standards as Key Components of Trade
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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 key documents for trade
ASTM standards are international standards that are used globally
The WTO defines the principles of international standards
ASTM is committed to the concept of multiple paths to international standards
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Contact Information
Jim Olshefsky
• Director, External Relations
Anthony Quinn
• Director, Public Policy and International Trade
www.astm.orgwww.astm.org/GLOBAL/
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ASTM InternationalASTM InternationalLearning Module SeriesLearning Module Series
Thank You
www.astm.org
