ASME is one of the premier standards development organizations in the world.  Several of its standards are accepted as a means of satisfying government regulatory requirements in over 100 countries around the world.  ASME promulgates standards for performance testing; dimensional standardization; the manufacture of pressure equipment, nuclear power components, elevators and escalators, cranes, and pipelines; and other technical and engineered products and processes. 

ASME codes, standards and conformity assessment activities serve to enhance public safety and health objectives of governments and facilitate global trade and commerce among enterprises.   Many of the key stakeholders from government, trade associations, professional societies, and industry participate directly on ASME codes, standards and conformity assessment committees and related activities. 

Public Law #104-113, also known as the National Technology Transfer Advancement Act (NTTAA), requires the government, to the greatest extent practicable, to use privately developed voluntary consensus standards rather than developing their own.  While this law has been a benefit to Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) and the government, it also exposes SDOs to greater liability especially when the need for standards in high risk areas increases.  ASME will continue to seek protection from such liability. 
 
POLICY OBJECTIVES:

• Promote performance-based technical regulations and market-accepted international standards as meeting the intent provisions of the World Trade Organization’s agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT).
• Emphasize alternatives to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards if they meet TBT intent with regard to non-discrimination and transparency, both technically and procedurally, and promote recognition that “international standards” are not synonymous with International Standards Organizations (ISO) standards.
• Educate policy makers on the voluntary consensus standards process and the importance of standards to the health and safety of the American public.
• Increase the use of voluntary consensus standards by government agencies as a means of satisfying regulatory requirements, as well as increase participation by government agencies in the standards development process.

RELATED POSITION STATEMENTS: View All Codes & Standards Position Statements