ASTM International (ASTM) was originally called the American Society for Testing Material. Since it was founded by Charles Benjamin Dudley, and a group of engineers and scientists, ASTM has evolved into the international go-to organization that sets standards for a wide range of products, services, systems, and materials.

Located in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, which is around five files north west of Philadelphia, ASTM develops and then publishes voluntary consensus technical standards.

Why Did ASTM Begin?

When electrified trains were developed during the 1880s the first rapid transit systems came about. Consequently, by the 1890s, the railroad industry was growing at a fevered pace. That's because as railroads changed the mode of shipping and transportation from canals to railroad tracks they fostered in the advent of national markets, where prices varied little from one city to the next.

However, there was an inherent danger involved with the fast growing railroad industry; the ever increasing number of railroad accidents that were being caused by frequent rail breaks. The American Society for Testing Materials was formed to address those problems.

Throughout the twentieth century ASTM has taken a dominant role setting standards in the United States. They now claim to be the largest developer of standards in the world. Their worldwide membership collectively develops and maintains in excess of 12,000 standards.

They publish these standards annually using three modes to disseminate the information - print, CD, and on the Internet. The World Wide Web version is available through subscription. Its cost is determined by usage. However, if you would like to purchase the complete set of CDs or books the 81 volumes cost approximately USD $9,000.00.

One hundred years after their inception, the group examined its mission with a discussion about ASTM's relevance in today's global environment. Since then there have been a number of significant changes.

For example, ASTM changed its name to ASTM International in 2001. Four years later they partnered with Citation Industries to create the first dynamic Internet web library for Environmental Due Diligence standards.

In 2009, in a joint effort with other standards development organizations such as DIN, ANSI, and AAMI, ASTM created a single, centralized database for medical device standards.

Anyone who is interested in ASTM's activities is invited to join. Currently there are more than 30,000 members from over 120 countries, including more than 1,100 organizational members.

Although ASTM International does not require or enforce compliance with its standards, their standards often do become mandatory once they are referenced by external corporations, contracts, and/or governments.