Government, Consensus, and Voluntary Organizations

One comment advised that the value of standards is that they are the consensus product of all technology experts, not just the consensus of experts from government. Therefore, care should be exercised that government participation in voluntary standards organizations and its use of voluntary standards do not lead to an appearance that voluntary standards organizations are unduly directed or influenced by government. 

ASTM International is a not-for-profit organization that provides a forum for the development and publication of voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems, and services (ASTM 2000). More than 20,000 members representing producers, users, ultimate consumers, and representatives of government and academia develop documents that serve as a basis for manufacturing, procurement, and regulatory activities. ASTM publishes standard test methods, specifications, practices, guides, classifications and terminology for materials, products, systems, and services (ASTM 2000). 

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