The Full form of ASTM is American Society for Testing and Materials. Currently known as ASTM International, is an international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of products, materials, services, and systems. Around 12,575 ASTM voluntary consensus standards operate across the globe. The organization’s headquarters is situated in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
It is one of the largest international standards developing organizations in the world. ASTM was established by the name of American Section of the International Association for Testing Materials in 1898. Furthermore, it also came into existence before many other standards organizations such as the IEC (1906), BSI (1901), ANSI (1981), DIN (1917), ISO (1947), and AFNOR (1926). ASTM has a committee of industry professionals who are relevant to develop ASTM standards for a wide range of products, materials, and services, and they meet on a regular basis in an open and transparent process.
These standards are made to improve the lives of people as they are combined with innovative business services of ASTM. Thus, it enhances the quality and performance and helps people buy and use materials, products, and services with confidence. ASTM International Standards are divided into six categories, which are: Standard Specification, Standard Practice, Standard Guide, Standard Test Method, and Standard Classification.