The 2008 Annual Report submitted to ASTM International by the Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM Berhad) highlights the success of the memorandum of understanding signed by the two organizations in 2003 continues to be a success.  A wholly-owned company of the Malaysian government under the Minister of Finance Inc., SIRIM Berhad is the national standards body of Malaysia and the national agency for industrial development.

Over the past year, a total of 18 ASTM International standards were adopted as Malaysian national standards and ten ASTM standards were used as reference documents for government regulations.  Since the MOU signing by ASTM and SIRIM, close to 250 ASTM International standards in sectors such as waste management, petroleum products and lubricants, and electrical insulating liquids and gases have been adopted, referenced or adapted by SIRIM for Malaysian national standards.  More than 60 individuals from Malaysia participate in ASTM International.

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 ASTM International MOU program can be found on the ASTM Web site (www.astm.org/GLOBAL), or by contacting Jessica Hychalk, ASTM International (phone: 610-832-9693; jhychalk@astm.org).

Release #8171/Feb2009