ASTM International will hold an organizational meeting on Dec. 3, 2012, to discuss the potential for developing standards for spent lead acid battery recycling. The meeting will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m in Washington, D.C. To register for the meeting, go to www1.astm.org/MEETINGS/organizational-agenda.html.

The unsafe recycling and disposal of spent lead acid batteries (SLAB), including those found in conventional motor vehicles, can result in harm to human health and the environment. One mechanism to improve the safety of SLAB recycling around the world is to develop international performance standards that any facility can meet, and that any generator or handler of SLABs can require of their downstream processors.

Potential users of these standards include manufacturers and recycling facilities (to measure performance and demonstrate compliance to customers and industry partners), the GSA (to ensure environmentally sound government recycling of SLABs), and users and mechanics (to ensure environmentally sound recycling of SLABs from their operations and customers and to demonstrate compliance to customers and industry partners).

ASTM stands ready to accommodate this new standardization initiative.  Involvement from all interested parties is critical to guide the direction of this new activity. ASTM’s neutral forum will allow the private and public sectors to work together to develop a consensus standards program.

ASTM International welcomes participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.

ASTM Organizational Meeting: Dec. 3, 2012, 1274 First Street NE, Suite 201, Washington, D.C., 20417
ASTM Staff Contact: Pat Picariello, Phone: 610-832-9720; ppicariello@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

Release #9323