(February, 2006)

Introduction

The intent of the ASME Delegate Program is to allow representatives of organized groups of interested experts, located outside of the U.S. and Canada, to participate in the ASME codes and standards development process. The Delegate Program is for organizations that have a specific technical interest in an ASME code or standard, including trade and manufacturers’ associations, user groups, national standards committees, or any other organizations responsible for oversight of a particular industry. 

Each group must be open to membership by qualified experts who wish to join. When applying to ASME for appointment of a Delegate, the group must describe its organization and purpose in writing. The group shall provide to ASME the names and affiliations of the technical experts that will be working with the Delegate to provide the group’s input to the ASME committee. Periodically, this information will be updated.

Delegates

Each group must select a single individual (Delegate) to represent its interests and provide collective group comments on committee standards actions. Delegates must have fluency in the English language and a working knowledge of the technical aspects of the committee’s work.

Opportunities For Participation on ASME Standards Development Committees

Many of ASME’s standards development committees consist of a broad range of subtier committees, including subcommittees, subgroups, working groups, special working groups and project teams needed to support the development, update and maintenance of the wide range of ASME’s codes and standards.

ASME seeks the participation of all parties having an interest and technical expertise in specific areas covered by ASME’s codes and standards, regardless of geographical location. Delegates may be appointed to any ASME committee, including subtier committees, so that interested experts can be assigned to areas of their interest. Delegates participating on ASME committees are subject to the same administrative rules and procedures imposed on traditional committee members. For example, the Delegate will be expected to complete a membership application and review and accept the standard ASME Policies that govern the activities of all volunteer committee members. The performance of the Delegate on an ASME committee will be reviewed on an annual basis. An appointment as Delegate will be for a term of five (5) years, subject to reappointment after the same consideration as for initial appointment.

What are the obligations of the Delegate?

The Delegate’s attendance at meetings of the committees or subtier committees to which they have been appointed is encouraged but not required, and there are no related dues or other fees to attend.  All committee work can be performed from anywhere in the world using ASME’s web based process management tool, C&S Connect.  Complete instructions for the use of C&S Connect will be provided to the Delegate at the time the appointment is approved.  The Delegate will, in turn, provide information to the interested individuals of the group for discussion and preparation of a consolidated position. In the course of reviewing ASME committee actions and providing comments, it is expected that there will be some discussion within the group to combine individual comments into a single position, rather than passing along all the individual comments received from members of the group.  Then, the Delegate will transmit the position to the ASME committee using C&S Connect. Delegates are notified periodically by electronic means that there are changes being proposed to the pertinent ASME code or standard, and they are given the opportunity to review and submit comments or votes on these Standards Actions. On the first consideration ballot of Standards Actions, Delegates on a Standards Committee may submit a disapproval or substantive comment on a specific revision that will require reconsideration of the proposal.  Delegates participating on subtier committees under a Standards Committee have review and comment privileges for all technical items submitted for action to that subtier committee. It is not necessary for the Delegate to comment on each proposed action, but only those that present a concern to the Delegate or the group represented.  Periodically, the ASME staff will contact the Delegate to inquire about the usefulness of the program and about ways to improve it.  In support of their participation, Delegates are provided with complimentary copies of the published ASME codes and standards pertinent to their committee activity, a significant value and an expression of ASME’s appreciation of their commitment to the ASME process.  Delegates will be provided access to all relevant Committee correspondence related to:

• Standards Actions
  
  
• Ballots
  
  
• Meeting Notices
  
  
• Agendas
  
  
• Minutes