ASTM International is one of those organizations that have had a huge effect on consumer’s lives and those consumers may not even be aware of its existence.

Formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials and now called ASTM International, this organization is a globally recognized leader in the development and delivery of international consensus standards. Today over 12,000 ASTM standards are used all over the globe to improve product quality, enhance safety, facilitate market access and trade and build consumer confidence. ASTM has been in operation since 1898 and its members include over 30,000 technical experts from 135 different countries.

What is an international standard? It is a document that has been developed and established within the consensus principles of the organization and meets the requirements of ASTM procedures and regulations. Full consensus standards are developed with the participation of all parties that have a stake in the standards’ development and/or use. ASTM has no role in requiring compliance or enforcement of their standards but they may become mandatory when referenced by an external contact, corporation or government.

Where and how do people use ASTM standards? These standards are used by people, companies, agencies, purchasers and sellers, who incorporate them into contracts; scientists and engineers use them in their laboratories and offices; architects and designers use them in their blueprints; government entities use them as reference material for laws and many others refer to them for guidance on various issues and products.

ASTM divides their standards into six categories.

1.  The Standard Specification, which defines the requirements to be satisfied by subject of the standard.

2. The Standard Test Method, which defines the way a test is performed and the precision of the result.  The result of the test may be used to assess compliance with a Standard Specification.

3. The Standard Practice, which defines a sequence of operations that, unlike a Standard Test Method, does not produce a result.

4. The Standard Guide that which provides an organized collection of information or series of options that does not recommend a specific course of action.

5. The Standard Classification, that provide an arrangement or division of materials, products, systems or services into groups based on similar characteristics such as origin, composition, properties and use.

6.  The Terminology Standard, that provides agreed definitions of terms used in other standards.

IoSafe products such as the Solo and the SoloPRO are tested and proved per the ASTM rating E119 which covers test methods for fire tests or building construction and materials. IoSafe tested these products for heat and flame up to 1550 degrees Fahrenheit and for periods up to 30 minutes. An ASTM rating means that the methods ioSafe used to test their products work and they can prove their conclusions and claims.

If a company wants to put an ASTM rating on their products, they need to build their tests, products and organization to ASTM standards. They are one of the most commonly used independent rating companies but they are by no means the only one.

ETL SEMKO (formerly Edison Testing Laboratory) is a division of Intertek Group plc and they specialize in electrical product safety testing, EMC testing and benchmark performance testing. They have more than 30 offices and laboratories on six continents.

CE Mark, this rating is a mandatory conformity mark for products placed on the market in the European Economic Area.  It is necessary for certain product groups in the European Union and countries where EU products are sold. Seeing the mark on a product means it has been tested and it meets EU safety, health and environmental protection requirements.

Underwriters Laboratories is an organization established in 1894 and deals chiefly in product safety. They also develop standards and test procedures for materials, components, assemblies, tools and equipment. They also analyze drinking water and clean water samples through their laboratory in South Bend, Indiana. They are recognized by OSHA for safety standards.

NSF International is a Michigan-based not-for-profit public health and environmental organization that provides standards development and product certification. They were founded in 1944 and they work primarily in public health and safety. They have over 1200 employees in 150 countries and work with the World Health Organization.

The Canadian Standards Association is a not-for-profit crown corporation founded in 1919 with the stated aim developing standards for over 57 areas of specialization such as climate change, business management, industrial equipment, construction materials, boilers and pressure vessels and electronic/electrical equipment. Their employees are composed of representatives from government, industry and consumer groups.

SGS S.A. is an international organization that provides inspection, verification, testing and certification services for traded goods. They are divided into ten divisions; agriculture, automotive, consumer testing services, environmental services, governments and institutions, industrial, life science, minerals, oil/gas/chemicals and system/services certification. They were founded in 1878 and have spread from France to 1250 offices and laboratories across the world.

Seeing an ASTM rating on a product like having insider knowledge that it’s well-tested, well-made and can suit your purposes. Researching products for this rating is worth any consumer’s time and energy.