Representatives from industry, laboratories, government agencies, and other organizations recently gathered to participate in standards-related events in Seoul, Korea. The events highlighted how technical standards help to improve quality of life in Korea while also driving commerce and trade.
The events were organized by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) and ASTM International, a global standards developer.
“The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards and ASTM International have had close relations in the field of standardization cooperation over a decade,” KATS Administrator Daeshik Jeh said. “I expect that the relationship between the two organizations will be strengthened through the cooperative program, including meetings and training information exchange.”
Highlights of the event included:
- Discussions on the benefits of standardization to businesses and the importance of standardization in areas such as textiles. The Korea Apparel Testing and Research Institute and the Korea Testing and Research Institute participated in these discussions.
- Discussions on consumer product safety, including risk assessment and regulations in areas such as children’s toys. The Korean Product Safety Association, testing laboratories, and manufacturers were involved in these discussions.
- Korean associations, certification bodies, testing laboratories, and manufacturers had the opportunity to receive information on ASTM’s Proficiency Testing Program and other ASTM services that support laboratories to improve performance and competitiveness.
KATS and ASTM recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of their memorandum of understanding, and will also meet to review and plan for future collaboration in areas such as training. On June 17, training continued for approximately 100 laboratory staff at KTC, where former ASTM board member Dr. Kaphong Choi is president.
For more information on ASTM International’s presence in Korea, click here.