One of the beneficiaries of H.R. 1086, now Public Law 108-237 and known as the Standards Development Organization Advancement Act of 2004, is ASME.

The technical society that develops the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and more than 600 other codes and standards believes the new legislation provides a favorable climate for important standards-writing activity.

"The time and resources saved by not having to defend against unfounded lawsuits will be put to better use developing the safety standards that are vital to global economic competitiveness," said June Ling, ASME associate executive director for Codes and Standards.

The Standards Development Organization Advancement Act of 2004 eliminates the threat of treble damage liability in current antitrust laws for standards development activity.

In order to be eligible for the protection provided under the Act, the organizations that create the standards must disclose the scope and nature of the activity to the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission.

"The legislation will also reduce the additional antitrust exposure that ASME and other standards organizations assumed under the National Technology Transfer Advancement Act," said Ling.

The National Technology Transfer Advancement Act required the federal government, whenever possible, to use private-sector standards in procurement and regulatory activities.

Since 1884, when the first performance test codes were developed, ASME has pioneered the development of codes, standards and conformity assessment programs.

The Society continues to explore new technologies and opportunities for codes, standards and conformity assessment activities while strengthening partnerships with private and public sectors worldwide.

Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, today's ASME is a 120,000-member professional organization focused on technical, educational and research issues of the engineering and technology community. ASME conducts one of the world's largest technical publishing operations, holds numerous technical conferences worldwide, and offers hundreds of professional development courses each year. ASME sets internationally recognized industrial and manufacturing codes and standards that enhance public safety.