A recent annual report indicates that the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) continues to benefit from the memorandum of understanding (MOU) it signed with ASTM International in 2002. 

The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) is a specialized organization of national importance serving the country in the field of standardization, standards formulation, quality control, quality assurance, import and export quality inspections, certification and removal of technical barriers to trade.

Each year, ZABS submits an annual report to ASTM, which outlines its use of ASTM standards through the MOU program. This year, ZABS reports that 42 ASTM standards from ASTM International Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants were adopted as identical Zambian national standards, while two additional standards were used in the preparation of Zambian standards. 

“The Zambia Bureau of Standards Petroleum Testing Laboratory makes use of ASTM test methods to test automotive gas oil (diesel fuel), gasoline (petrol) and both industrial and domestic kerosene,” says Mutaa Mukelabai, president of ZABS. “The use of ASTM standards enables our clients to readily understand and accept our test results since ASTM standards are widely used in the petroleum industry, starting with the refinery, the oil marketing companies as well as the energy regulator. The laboratory equipment we use has also been designed by the manufacturers to meet ASTM testing standards and this has made our work easier since we do not have to engage in the costly and time- consuming development of our own test methods.”

ZABS has also taken advantage of some of the other benefits of the MOU program, including ASTM technical and professional training workshops and the Standards Expert Program. Several individuals from Zambia also participate on one or more of ASTM’s 142 technical standards development committees.

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).

ASTM Staff Contact: Teresa Cendrowska, Phone: 610-832-9718; tcendrow@astm.org

Release #8782