A recent annual report from the Instituto Ecuatoriano de Normalización (INEN) indicates that ASTM International standards continue to be an asset in the development of Ecuador national standards.

The Instituto Ecuatoriano de Normalización is the official body in charge of standardization and regulation in Ecuador.  Standards in Ecuador are developed through technical committees related to industry and technology.  INEN grants the official Quality Certificate and seal and also oversees metrological activities, weights and measures control, and consumer protection.

ASTM International and INEN signed a memorandum of understanding in 2002.  ASTM's MOU program helps avoid duplication of efforts when possible, which benefits those countries that participate in the program in the development of their own national standards.  According to the INEN annual report, 22 ASTM International standards were consulted in the preparation of Ecuador national standards over the past year. Many of the standards were from ASTM Committees A05 on Metallic-Coated Iron and Steel Products and C01 on Cement. 

Several ASTM standards from various sectors were also used as reference documents by INEN technical committees for their standards development work this year.  Close to 100 individuals from Ecuador participate on one more of ASTM's 141 technical committees.

“Since 2002, INEN has had the opportunity to adopt and use as a basis for study or reference policy documents, updated ASTM standards for the development of standards and technical regulations. INEN’s participation in this program is very important for the development of standards for the country's industrial sectors such as: metal, construction, oil, etc., which promotes the knowledge and use of standards to improve living conditions of all stakeholders, taking into account safety, health and the environment” says In. Bolivar Aguilera, director general of INEN.

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 #8668/Sept2010