ASTM International has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and commercial agreement with the Mexican National Standardization and Certification Organization for Building and Construction (ONNCCE), one of Mexico’s largest standards development organizations. The agreement was signed by Arq. Evangelina Hirata, director general of ONNCCE, and Kathie Morgan, president of ASTM International.

The MoU’s stated goals include promoting ASTM’s technical standards internationally, fostering collaboration with Mexican stakeholders in development and use of standards, and educating students and professors abroad on the topic.

“It is our hope that ONNCCE and ASTM will have increased opportunities to work together to support innovation, competitiveness, sustainability, and climate resilience, through standards that reflect technical quality, market relevance, and suitability,” says Morgan. “The chance to help foster technology transfer, promote safety, and support economic growth for the construction industry is a great opportunity for all of us.”

“This collaboration will support standardizing the characteristics and evaluation methods of construction products in the region, benefiting the construction industry by strengthening infrastructure quality and easing international trade,” says Hirata. “Greater knowledge will be extended among builders and manufacturers, among others, which will help improve the content and scope of Mexico’s standards.”

The MoU’s signing follows the 2021 signing of a similar agreement with DGN, Mexico’s General Bureau of Standards, and means that ASTM now has 34 MoU partners in the Americas and Caribbean.

Media Inquiries: Dan Bergels, tel +1.610.832.9602; dbergels@astm.org

Release #11540