ISO and ASTM Standards
Standardization is important as it assures quality, safety, and compliance in today’s regulated environments. The two dominant organizations that establish and publish standards to a worldwide community are the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) & The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). These agencies share the commonality of standardization to improve product quality and safety; however, there are marked differences between the two organizations. This article looks at those differences in terms of how each organization operates, the intent behind ISO and ASTM standards, and the application of these standards in industry.
1. Introduction to ISO and ASTM Standards
The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is a global organization that was founded in Geneva, Switzerland. It is a self-regulating organization that is composed of national standards organizations/certification bodies from over 160 countries. ISO develops international standards across vast areas, including technology, food safety, environmental management, and even healthcare.
ASTM International ( American Society for Testing and Materials) operates as an international entity that identifies and publishes technical standards for a broad set of elements, products, systems, and services. ASTM regulations are widely considered as the standard reference point for many regional industries, particularly construction, petrochemicals, and materials science in North America, especially the US and Canada. Being more of a regional entity, ASTM regulations are recognized extensively but are adopted internationally to a lesser extent than ISO standards.
2. Organizational Structure and Governance
The ISO is an international organization composed of various national standardization bodies. A member in one country functionally represents his/ her country that has agreed to participate in the development and adoption of ISO Standards. The General Assembly of ISO is the governing body that meets once a year with representatives from the standardizing body of each member country. ISO adopts the consensus system, whereby it is allowed to establish standards through agreement among its members.
ASTM, on the other hand, has a different structure along with having a different approach to developing international (or consensus) standards. ASTM is a wholly open and private organization to which anyone interested can obtain membership. The organization has more than 300 different committees which comprise individuals from industry, government, and academia to develop its standards. An opposite approach to ISO, where only the national organizations can participate or vote at the committee level, in the case of ASTM, anyone with ASTM membership can be directly involved in writing an ASTM standard. This model allows ASTM to respond and work directly with industry needs.
3. Scope of Standard
ISO and ASTM standards differ significantly in terms of scope and focus. ISO standards cover various topics and generally have an international and broad context. ISO standards have potential implications for covering technical specifications and management systems along with environmental protection, social responsibility and health and safety. An example of the ISO standard is ISO 9001, it is an ISO standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system, relevant to organizations of all types and sizes.
ASTM standards are more specific and focus more on technical specifications related to materials, products and processes. ASTM does have detailed standards for testing methods and material properties. An example is ASTM D638, a standard test method for the tensile properties of plastics, that will be very useful for both manufacturers and testing laboratories working in the field of materials science.
4. Development Process and its Methodology
The ISO standard development has a series of steps: proposal, preparatory, committee, inquiry, approval and publication. It requires consensus among parties or entities represented by national bodies and the standards put forward are in global agreement among the national bodies. The ISO development process is also meant to be open to consulting and public input structures throughout each development phase of the process, to keep the standards relevant.
On the other hand, the procedure adopted by ASTM standard for the establishment of its standards is highly flexible as well as responsive to the industrial needs that it serves. The set of standards is usually established through the efforts of volunteer members representing different ASTM committees, considering the interests and views of the industries they represent.
5. Adoption and Global Impact
ISO standards are recognized and implemented around the world, in many countries; they use them to support their national regulations thus mandating certain industries to adopt ISO. The international recognition and use of ISO are supported through its relationships with other international organizations, including the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
ASTM standards are also recognized internationally but are more popular in North America. ASTM standards can often be found in U.S. regulations, however, their adoption internationally is often driven by particular industries or markets that place a high value on ASTM’s technical authority and expertise. For example, in the oil and gas markets, a high level of technical reliance can be placed on ASTM standards for their materials specification requirements.
6. Certification and Compliance
ISO certification represents an official procedure that organizations use to show that it conforms to an ISO standard. Certification is usually performed by an accredited, third-party organization, which subsequently will review the organization’s processes, and systems which undergo evaluation against the relevant ISO standard. ISO certification is typically viewed as an indication of quality and credibility, while simultaneously, ISO certification can give organizations a competitive advantage and distinction in the international marketplace.
On the other hand,ASTM does not generally require formal certification. Instead, ASTM standards serve more as guidelines on product testing and quality assurance. Testing either in-house or outsourced can be done by an organization to ensure its products meet ASTM standards; however, there is no formal certification like that of ISO. This difference reflects ASTM’s focus on technical specifications rather than overarching management systems. ISO and ASTM standards play crucial roles in maintaining product quality and compliance.
7. Industrial Applications of ISO and ASTM Standards
ISO standards may sometimes be a requirement for entry into the market or for regulatory purposes for those industries in which the ISO standards are integral parts, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and environmental management. ISO standards help in the development of a regulatory framework in which different products and services meet international expectations in terms of quality and safety. Consequently, companies that conform to ISO standards have greater opportunities to compete effectively in global markets.
Conversely, the ASTM standard is particularly crucial in industries where the products are a function of finished goods, material properties, and product testing methods. Construction, space, and chemical industries draw specifically from ASTM standards to ensure that their goods and services meet the requirements.
Conclusion
Understanding the differences between ISO and ASTM standards is vital for companies in regulated industries. While the purpose of both organizations is to achieve quality, safety, and dependability, there are differences in the purposes they serve and processes each uses to develop its standards. Companies working through a very regulated process, like product development and testing, really need to understand what the differences are between ISO and ASTM Standards.
At Microbe Investigations Switzerland (MIS), we fully understand how important it is to comply with both ISO and ASTM standards. Our experienced team understands the nuances of creating products that comply with their respective guidelines to help ensure that your products are of the highest quality and safety standards. Contact us to learn more about how our products and services can help you maintain compliance and competitive benefits in your industry.
