ASTM Standards as Part of a Comprehensive Approach to Sustainability

ASTM International Committee E60 on Sustainability is applying the principles of sustainability through standards development. This effort is pioneering a comprehensive life cycle approach that includes the more familiar environmental consideration of ?going green? by recycling and reducing waste, plus the addition of economic and social principles. One of the goals is the development of standards to meet the sustainability needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The standards development activity was organized by ASTM in October 2008 and involves both existing and new standards activities that will encourage sustainability practices. Initial activties have focused on topics such as Green Meetings and Buildings Products. One proposed new ASTM standard covering the Classification for Environmentally Preferable Products provides a framework for a consistent approach to the format and content of environmental information and in turn will enable the user to evaluate the comparative environmental impact of building products. The proposed classification provides the first comprehensive standard in this area, and that the April meeting attendees will discuss results of a pilot program to refine the document and verify its viability in the marketplace. Additional ASTM standards development activties includes proposed standard practices for water-conserving systems, test methods related to assessing aspects of green roofs, and a draft Standard Guide for Marketing and Product Claims Related to Sustainable Building.

In summary, ASTM International Committee E60 provides a global forum where diverse stakeholders come together to create the consensus standards that will promote and integrate sustainable development across multiple industry sectors.