SMEs AND STANDARDS- Small- to Medium-Sized Enterprises Contribute to and Benefit from ASTM Standards

摘要

Small- to medium-sized companies provide the majority of private sector jobs, drive innovation, and claim at least 50 percent of the U.S. and European gross domestic product; these companies provide important contributions to ASTM International standards at the same time that they benefit from their equal voice in standards development. Forget the advantages conventionally associated with large corporate size - say, deep pockets and influential contacts. At ASTM International, where more than half of the experts participating in standards development are from small-to medium-sized companies, size simply doesn't matter. ASTMs committee structure ensures that all stakeholders have an equal voice and vote. Plus, fees are kept affordable and Web-based resources are made available to facilitate participation by smaller firms.