Established in 1972, the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO) is responsible for determining and enforcing approved standards for services, facilities, utilities and products within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Since 2007, SASO has adopted a total 454 ASTM International Standards as identical Saudi Arabian national standards. The use of ASTM standards to avoid duplicative work is beneficial to both standards organizations and an important factor of the MOU agreement.

“The MOU signed with ASTM International in September 2007 has been one of the most fruitful agreements that SASO has signed,” says Mr. Nabil Molla, governor of SASO. He continues, “SASO would like to thank Mr. James A. Thomas (president of ASTM International), and the ASTM staff for their cooperation and continuous support. SASO plans to continue to utilize the resources provided by ASTM to strengthen our standards system.”

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 MOU program can be found on the ASTM International Web site (www.astm.org/GLOBAL).