The national standards body of Chile, the Instituto Nacional de Normalización, outlined their frequent use of ASTM International standards in a recent annual report.  ASTM and INN signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in 2002. 

The Instituto Nacional de Normalización (INN) is a private foundation that was created by the Corporación de Fomento de la Producción in 1973. INN oversees, fosters and develops standards in Chile for accreditation and metrology. The institution is responsible for the development of technical standards at the national level, the management of the National Accreditation System and the coordination of a National Metrological Network.

INN uses and complies with international standards under the guidelines of the World Trade Organization Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade. Per INN's annual report, 35 ASTM International standards were adopted, referenced, or used as the basis of Chilean national standards over the last year.  The majority of these standards are from ASTM Committees C01 on Cement, C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and D04 on Road and Paving Materials.

More than 40 individuals from Chile are members of one or more of ASTM's 141 technical committees, and there are also several ASTM student members from Chile.  INN has participated in ASTM technical assistance and training programs on concrete and other topics as part of the MOU program. 

Initiated in 2001, ASTM International's MOU program promotes communication between ASTM International and national standards bodies worldwide, fostering awareness of the standardization systems of all parties involved. The purpose of the program is to increase greater worldwide participation in the ASTM standards development process and facilitate the development of national standards that will aid health, safety, and environmental and economic conditions. More information on the MOU program can be found on the ASTM International Web site (www.astm.org/GLOBAL).

ASTM Staff Contact: Teresa Cendrowska, Phone: 610-832-9718; tcendrow@astm.org

Release #8667/Sept2010