On Nov. 7, ASTM International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the East African Community (EAC), currently consisting of the member states of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This is the 125th MoU that ASTM International has signed to date, the culmination of agreements signed with many EAC member states since 2003.
The document was signed by Dr. Peter Mutuku Mathuki, secretary general for the EAC, and Kathie Morgan, president of ASTM International. Its goals include:
- Enhancing communication between ASTM and EAC to promote knowledge on standards development,
- Strengthening the EAC standards program through ASTM resources
- Involving the EAC partner states in ASTM’s standards development process through input and participation
“ASTM International welcomes and values the commitment to partnership and addressing societal needs which the EAC has signaled by signing the MoU,” says Teresa Cendrowska, ASTM International VP of Global Cooperation. “Standards support quality infrastructure, trade and multi-faceted development; we are pleased to provide ASTM standards and capacity building resources to the Community to both advance the region’s economic and technological growth and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).”
The new memorandum is part of a larger effort by the EAC to boost trade and industrialize the African continent.
"EAC is thrilled to formalize our partnership with ASTM International through this MoU,” notes Stella Apolot, Principal Standards Officer at the EAC. “This MoU will reinforce the existing capacity building and technical collaboration between ASTM International and the majority of our member states, and ultimately advance the knowledge and application of international standards in the region while seizing business opportunities across global markets through the implementation of the AfCFTA.”
Media Inquiries: Gavin O’Reilly, tel +1.610.832.9618; goreilly@astm.org
Release #11737
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