Chino-American Standards Accord

For the first time a standards development organisation based in the United States has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the national standards body of China. This occurred on 20th August in Bejing, when senior officials from ASTM International and the Standardisation Administration of the People’s Republic of China (SAC) moved to strengthen the relationship between the two standards organisations, ASTM International president James A. Thomas and SAC vice-administrator Zhang Yanhua each signing the MOU. Witnesses included SAC administrator Li Zhonghai and deputy under-secretary of the US Department of Commerce, Ben Wu. The signing, along with participation in standardisation workshops held in Bejing earlier that week, was the latest event in ASTM ongoing involvement in Chinese standardisation. The MOU will enhance the ability of SAC and ASTM International to support the needs of the Chinese people and aid in the development of Chinese national standards for health, safety and the environment.