The Mauritius Standards Bureau (MSB) reports that it has recently referenced several ASTM International mechanical testing standards through the ASTM Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) program. ASTM and MSB signed an MOU in 2005.

The Mauritius Standards Bureau (MSB) is a corporate body responsible for standardization, quality assurance, testing and metrology. MSB operates a certification marking scheme for products and a national management system certification scheme. There are thirteen MSB standards committees that cover sectors like building and construction, energy and environmental management, mechanical engineering, chemicals and more.  

In the annual report submitted to ASTM International, MSB stated that 23 ASTM standards were used as reference documents in the development of Mauritius national standards, while six ASTM standards were consulted in the preparation of national standards. The majority of the referenced standards were developed by ASTM Committee E28 on Mechanical Testing.  MSB has also participated in the ASTM Proficiency Testing Program on Mechanical Testing of Metals.

Thorough the MOU program, MSB has access to all ASTM International standards through the ASTM website. Khemraj Ramful, director of MSB, says that sales of and references to ASTM International standards continues to increase in Mauritius.  “Many of our stakeholders in Mauritius are now well aware of the existence of ASTM standards and are very often using them as a reference,” says Ramful.  “With the invitation of Mauritian experts to join ASTM technical committees and the offer of virtual training to these experts, ASTM will continue to gain more recognition in our country.”

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 #8954