Standards Organization of Nigeria Report Shows Value of Memorandum of Understanding with ASTM International
In its annual report to ASTM International, the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) noted that Nigeria is effectively using ASTM standards both for adoption and as references within other standards. SON and ASTM International signed a memorandum of understanding in late 2004.
ASTM develops international standards that are integral to many of the important industries of Nigeria, including petroleum (which accounts for over 90 percent of Nigerian exports) rubber, textiles and construction materials.
Adoption and Referencing of ASTM Standards
Over the past year, SON has directly adopted 31 ASTM standards as Nigerian National Standards. These adopted standards come from a variety of ASTM committees, including A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys; D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications; D11 on Rubber; D20 on Plastics; E04 on Metallography; E07 on Nondestructive Testing; E28 on Mechanical Testing; G01 on Corrosion of Metals; and G02 on Wear and Erosion.
SON has adopted a total of 93 ASTM standards since the inception of the ASTM/SON MOU.
In addition to adoption, SON used 22 ASTM standards as reference documents or normative references, with another 20 being consulted in the preparation of Nigerian National Standards. Referenced standards also come from a variety of committees, with the majority coming from committees that develop standards for steel, mechanical testing and water.
Additional Participation in MOU Program
The participation of SON in the MOU program has not been limited to the adopting and referencing of ASTM International standards. In February 2007, SON staff participated in a virtual training session that took place from ASTM Headquarters in West Conshohocken, Pa., to SON's office in Lago, Nigeria. In May of the same year, Obiora Manafa, head, metrology, SON, and John Akanya, director general/chief executive, SON, joined executives from 10 other African standards bodies and numerous other standards-related organizations at the Open House for Sub-Saharan Africa Standards Leaders. Akanya made a presentation on challenges in standardization at the Open House.
The ASTM Memorandum of Understanding Program
Memorandums of understanding allow ASTM and national standards bodies to join together to achieve standardization goals for both organizations. The purposes of the MOU program are to promote communication between ASTM International and national standards bodies; to promote knowledge of each other's standards development activities; facilitate greater worldwide participation in the ASTM standard development process and facilitate the development of national standards that will aid health, safety, environmental and economic institutions. More information on the ASTM International memorandum of understanding program can be found on the global cooperation page of the ASTM International Web site (www.astm.org/GLOBAL).
Student Membership in ASTM International
The ASTM student membership program now includes 356 Nigerian students, putting Nigeria second only to India in the number of international students who have obtained ASTM student memberships. ASTM International student members are able to learn about standards and gain skills that will be necessary for their future careers.
Student membership in ASTM International is free to university students, who can join by visiting the ASTM International Campus section of the ASTM Web site (www.astm.org/studentmember).
Release #8090/Nov08