ASTM International’s new publication, Manual 55, International Consumer Product Testing Across Cultures and Countries, is now available on the ASTM Web site.  The manual is divided into two distinct sections, General Principles and Individual Documents.

The General Principles section deals with issues involved in the planning, design and execution of international consumer product tests across cultures and countries (cross-cultural consumer research tests) and the data analysis and interpretation of the results. This document addresses the unique situations involved in the design and execution of tests conducted with different cultures or in different countries. Special consideration is given to language issues, questionnaire design and test execution based on key cultural differences among countries. This document provides insights into:

  • Government regulations;
  • Customs and culture;
  • Test design, planning and execution;
  • Questionnaire issues, attributes, scales and validation;
  • Participants, test staff and test administration;
  • Multi-country/culture approach;
  • Data issues, including raw data and data analysis; and
  • Case studies.

The second section contains individual documents that focus on country-specific testing information, caveats and scenarios. While some specifics and examples are provided throughout the General Principles document, explicit country-related information is provided in the country documents. 

Specific issues are addressed relative to each of these countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand/Australia, Philippines, Poland, Spain, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Alejandra M. Muñoz and Silvia C. King served as the editors for this manual. Copies of Manual 55, International Consumer Product Testing Across Cultures and Countries (stock #MNL55-EB) are available for $75 on the ASTM Web site at www.astm.org.

Release #7698