Overview of ASTM International Subcommittee on Artists' Materials


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An Overview of ASTM International Subcommittee on Artists' Materials

ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), is one of the world's largest voluntary standards-writing organizations. ASTM publishes voluntary standards* that serve to guide manufacturers and consumers in defining methods of producing, testing and the use of materials. In the context of ASTM, artists' materials are defined as those manufactured for and used by artists who expect long-term stability and durability from their materials. These materials are not secondary, student grade, sketching, economy or children's art materials.

ASTM standards are defined as technical standards for materials, products, systems or services. They take the form of a specification, a practice, a test method, or other form as deemed necessary. ASTM standards are consensus standards, which mean that the purpose, significance, and content are agreed upon among all members despite initial opposing interests or viewpoints.

ASTM membership is open with several voting classifications determined by the chair of a subcommittee in consultation with ASTM's administrators: Producer, User, Consumer and General Interest. Producers are also Users, in that they use the standards; artists are Users and Consumers. ASTM requires a balance of representation in the subcommittee voting membership, so that Producers do not have more votes than User/Consumers. In addition, ASTM prefers to have a User/Consumer chair the sub-committees, so Producers cannot exert undue influence.

There are no requirements to join ASTM beyond an interest in the work. There is no requirement that members attend meetings. Non-members may attend meetings and participate in discussions without charge—there is no registration fee for meetings. The advantage of being a member is that members can vote—non-members may not vote.

The ASTM standard development process is hierarchical. Once a new document has been produced to the satisfaction of the Artists' Materials subcommittee, called D01.57, it must be voted upon by the entire membership. Approximately 50% of the membership is present at meetings, so this rule allows those who cannot attend to have an opportunity to review the proposals introduced at the meetings. If the document passes the D01.57 vote, the D01 Main Committee and the entire Society vote on it. A single negative vote at any level stops the process of final approval. Negative voters are required to present material that justifies their objections to any part of the proposed standard. Subcommittees are required to review the evidence and vote on whether they find the negative persuasive or not. Persuasive negatives require revision of the proposed standard.

ASTM publishes standards that pass all levels of voting after negatives and comments are resolved. The process does not end there, however, because by ASTM rule each standard must be re-approved every five years—that is, reviewed and voted upon—or it risks withdrawal by the Society. ASTM D01.57 has never had a standard with-drawn.

For more information about ASTM International, please read the frequently asked questions.