ASTM Background

Organized in 1898, ASTM (the American Society for Testing and Materials) has grown into one of the largest voluntary standards development systems in the world.

ASTM is a not-for-profit organization that provides a forum for producers, users, ultimate consumers, and those having a general interest (representatives of government and academia) to meet on common ground and write standards for materials, products, systems, and services.

From the work of 132 standards-writing committees, ASTM publishes standard test methods, specifications, practices, guides, classifications, and terminology. ASTM's standards development activities encompass metals, paints, plastics, textiles, petroleum, construction, energy, the environment, consumer products, medical services and devices, computerized systems, electronics, and many other areas. ASTM Headquarters has no technical research or testing facilities; such work is done voluntarily by 35,000 technically qualified ASTM members located throughout the world.

More than 10,000 ASTM standards are published each year in the 72 volumes of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. These standards and related information are sold throughout the world. http://www.astm.org/