ASTM International has announced that it supports the assessment on standards issued by the Department of Commerce. Titled Standards and Competitiveness-Coordinating for Results, the new report assesses the department's activities to reduce standards-related trade barriers and recommends steps to increase the reach and effectiveness of the department and other federal agencies' coordination of trade-related standards and conformity assessment.
"We have good news to tell," Commerce Secretary Donald Evans said at a press conference in May. "The department has made tangible improvements in how we tackle standards-related issues that can distort trade and undermine the competitiveness of U.S. products. And there are more improvements to come."