Building of Consensus Standards Supporting Environmental and Analytic Laboratories: Why Should You Care?

Crafting Consensus Methods
Oral Presentation

Prepared by R. Dominguez
South Coast AQMD, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765, Diamond Bar, CA, 91765, United States


Contact Information: [email protected]; 909-396-2225

ABSTRACT

The crafting of consensus standards supporting environmental and analytical laboratories is a primary function of standard development organizations (SDOs) such as ASTM International Committee D22 and the International Organization for Standardization ISO) Committee TC146. Development of consensus standards is important for ensuring safety, quality, and consistency across products and services, allowing for regional, national, and global interoperability. By creating uniform protocols, they reduce production costs, foster innovation, and eliminate trade barriers.

Both ASTM and ISO are volunteer based consensus organizations that provide mechanisms for the development of structured consensus-based standards that cover a wide range of industries, including those interested in environmental measurements. With these standardization opportunities available, why should one volunteer to participate?

This presentation will provide an overview of the ASTM and ISO consensus process and relevance to the various types of stakeholders within ASTM D22 on Air Quality and ISO TC146 (Air Quality). Opportunities for both facility engagement and individual professional development provided by standardization process participation will be discussed This will serve as a prologue as to why one should participate in the consensus development and maintenance process.