Egyptian Organization for Standardization Signs MOU with ASTM

In October 2002, the Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality Control (EOS) welcomed ASTM Vice President of Global Cooperation Kitty Kono at their offices in Cairo for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two organizations. The MOU was the 15th to be signed in the last 12 months and the second with an African nation. The memorandum’s goals are to:

• Promote communication between the two organizations;
• Avoid duplication of effort where possible;
• Mutually promote each organization’s standards development activities;
• Utilize ASTM International’s resources to strengthen the Egyptian national standards system; and w Promote the worldwide acceptance and use of ASTM standards.

At the signing ceremony, Kono addressed 40 members of EOS senior staff about the U.S. and ASTM standardization development processes and the possibilities for cooperation between ASTM International and EOS. She and EOS President Mahmoud Eisa signed the agreement, which specifies numerous avenues for this cooperation.

EOS also arranged a private meeting between Kono and Ali Fahmy El-Saiedi, Ph.D., the Egyptian cabinet minister of industry and technological development. The minister is a distinguished professional in the area of nuclear technology who worked for many years prior to his cabinet appointment in atomic energy research and technical implementation in Egypt and with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Kono and El-Saiedi discussed the relationship between ASTM International and Egyptian industry.Kono credits the ongoing work of the U.S. Department of Commerce Commercial Law Development Program for creating the opportunity for EOS and ASTM to work together. CLDP hosts professionals in standardization and metrology from around the world for informational tours of U.S. standards development and related organizations. “CLDP brought two delegations from Egypt to ASTM as part of their program,” Kono says. “It is through CLDP’s hard work on programs such as this that this MOU was signed.”

"Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM Standardization News, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428."