ASTM International, in support of recent public-private dialogues (particularly those hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy) on the management of rare earth minerals, will be hosting an organizational meeting for the establishment of a new ASTM standards activity on rare earth minerals. The meeting will occur Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST; the no-fee event will be held virtually.
 
Previous DOE-hosted events on rare earth minerals have highlighted three primary REM-related pillars: (1) developing new substitutes (material interchangeability); (2) diversifying the supply chain; and (3) reduction, recycling and reuse. Participants in those dialogues have expressed a need to identify standards solutions for segments of the rare earth production process and life cycle. A planning meeting held on May 16 at ASTM’s Washington, D.C., office, which included stakeholders from government, academia, industry and professional societies, outlined a series of additional potential standards topics including REM characterization, efficiency of manufacture and safety (chemical, physical and shipping and handling).
 
ASTM stands ready to accommodate this new standardization initiative with its neutral forum wherein the private and public sectors have long worked to develop a consensus standards program.

To register for the meeting, go to https://astm.webex.com/astm/k2/j.php?ED=177817862&UID=0&HMAC=c504896b68bc39bd2cd2b73ebccf2c689cc110d4&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D. After being approved by the host, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the session.
 
ASTM provides a management system for the development of standards and related information for materials, products, systems and services used internationally as well as nationally. All segments of an industry (producers, users, consumers, government and academia) participate in the development of this information to ensure that all technical points of view are represented – ASTM strives to ensure all parties are confident they will have fair and equal representation in the development of the final consensus standards. ASTM provides leadership and management support for 143 existing standards developing committees, which have produced more than 12,000 standards for a diverse collection of industries.

ASTM International welcomes participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.

Next Meeting: Aug. 15, 2012, virtual meeting
ASTM Staff Contact: Pat Picariello, Phone: 610-832-9720; ppicariello@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

Release #9236