Learning Module Series Introduction to Standards and Trade

1. Learning Module Series Introduction to Standards and Trade www.astm.org

2. Outline ASTM International Overview US Standards System US Government’s Role World Trade Organization Learning Module Series

3. ASTM International – An Overview • Organized in 1898 • The largest U.S.-based standards developer • Non-governmental, not-for-profit organization Learning Module Series

4. What is a Standard? Technical document developed by consensus Learning Module Series

5. ASTM International Standards Development Process • Provides a management system for the development of voluntary, consensus standards • Does not provide certification, testing or accreditation services Learning Module Series

6. ASTM Technical Committees 145 Technical Committees • Consumer Products • Steel • Petroleum • Construction/Building Plastics • Paint • Textiles • Environmental • Medical Devices • Many, many more Learning Module Series

7. 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 Learning Module Series

8. 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 Learning Module Series

9. 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 Revised 2000 Developed Learning Module Series

10. 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” Learning Module Series

11. 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. Learning Module Series

12. 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) Learning Module Series

13. US Government and Trade USTR Trade Policy ITA’s Standards and Competitiveness Report Learning Module Series

14. 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 Learning Module Series

15. 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 Learning Module Series

16. Standards as Key Components of Trade WTO / TBT Principles Transparency Openness Impartiality and consensus Effectiveness and relevance Coherence Consideration of developing nations Transparency Openness Impartiality and consensus Effectiveness and relevance Coherence Consideration of developing nations ASTM Principles Learning Module Series

17. 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 Learning Module Series

18. 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. Learning Module Series

19. 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 Learning Module Series

20. Contact Information Jim Olshefsky Director, External Relations jolshefs@astm.org Director, Public Policy and International Trade aquinn@astm.org Anthony Quinn www.astm.org www.astm.org/GLOBAL/ Learning Module Series

21. Thank you