Standards make up the backbone of quality assurance in manufacturing. In addition to providing guides for the appropriate methods and techniques used in the testing, measurement, inspection, and evaluation of materials, standards indicate whether or not a material is of the right quality, and by extension, the utmost suitability and safety for its intended use.
In the field of nondestructive testing (NDT), several organizations are involved in the development and application of standards, including the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT); ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM); and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). But what are these organizations doing to not only ensure that their standards are being effectively and appropriately implemented in the industries that they serve, but also to maintain an open dialogue with other industry professionals who wish to be a part of the decision-making process?