Transcript Learning Module Series Introduction to Standards and Trade www.astm.org © ASTM International Outline ASTM International Overview © ASTM International US Standards System Learning Module Series US Government’s Role World Trade Organization 11/7/2015

Learning Module
Series
Introduction to
Standards and Trade
www.astm.org
© ASTM International
Outline
ASTM
International
Overview
© ASTM International
US Standards
System
Learning Module Series
US
Government’s
Role
World Trade
Organization
11/7/2015
2
ASTM International – An Overview
 Organized in 1898
 The largest U.S.-based standards
developer
 Non-governmental, not-for-profit
organization
© ASTM International
Learning Module Series
11/7/2015
3
What is a Standard?
Technical document developed by consensus
© ASTM International
Learning Module Series
11/7/2015
4
ASTM International
Standards Development Process
 Provides a management system for
the development of voluntary,
consensus standards
 Does not provide certification, testing
or accreditation services
© ASTM International
Learning Module Series
11/7/2015
5
ASTM Technical Committees
145 Technical Committees
 Consumer Products
 Steel
 Petroleum
 Construction/Building Plastics
 Paint
 Textiles
 Environmental
 Medical Devices
 Many, many more
© ASTM International
Learning Module Series
11/7/2015
6
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
© ASTM International
Learning Module Series
11/7/2015
7
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
© ASTM International
Learning Module Series
11/7/2015
8
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
2000
Developed
© ASTM International
Learning Module Series
2005
Revised
11/7/2015
9
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”
© ASTM International
Learning Module Series
11/7/2015
10
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.
© ASTM International
Learning Module Series
11/7/2015
11
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)
© ASTM International
Learning Module Series
11/7/2015
12
US Government and Trade
USTR Trade Policy
© ASTM International
Learning Module Series
ITA’s Standards and
Competitiveness Report
11/7/2015
13
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
© ASTM International
Learning Module Series
11/7/2015
14
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
© ASTM International
Learning Module Series
11/7/2015
15
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
© ASTM International
Learning Module Series
11/7/2015
16
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
© ASTM International
Learning Module Series
11/7/2015
17
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.
© ASTM International
Learning Module Series
11/7/2015
18
Summary/Conclusion
Standards are
key documents
for trade
© ASTM International
ASTM standards
are international
standards that
are used globally
Learning Module Series
The

WTO defines
the principles of
international
standards
ASTM

is committed
to the concept of
multiple paths to
international
standards
11/7/2015
19
Contact Information
Jim Olshefsky
Anthony Quinn
Director,
External Relations
Director,
Public Policy and International Trade
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.astm.org
www.astm.org/GLOBAL/
© ASTM International
Learning Module Series
11/7/2015
20
Thank you
www.astm.org
© ASTM International