Letter to Standards Users

A principal mission of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers is to be a world center for standards and engineering practices for agriculture. ASABE promulgates consensus documents developed by technically qualified members from industry, universities and other public agencies, and private practice toward fulfilling this mission. Through the Cooperative Standards Program, participants offer their knowledge and experience to develop and maintain Standards and Engineering Practices for agricultural, food, and other bioresource industries.

A long-term objective of ASABE, and most standards developing organizations, is the adoption of international standards effective worldwide to facilitate international trade. Therefore, the current focus of committees responsible for agricultural equipment standards is harmonization of related ASABE and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) documents, wherever practical. The objective is one effective worldwide standard. ASABE has begun to adopt and publish certain ISO standards. All ISO adoptions, based on an ASABE Standard that was withdrawn, will maintain the ASABE Standard's revision history. The ASABE Forward Section 0 identifies if the adoption is with or without deviations.

As a user of ASABE Standards and Engineering Practices, you are encouraged to take these actions in support of the ASABE standards mission:

- Provide feedback for use in improving current standards.
- Identify standards that must be developed now to meet the needs of tomorrow's bioresource industries.
- Design products and systems to conform to consensus standards.
- Use standards in testing, evaluating, and comparing products.
- Educate tomorrow's engineers in the development, use, and importance of standards.
- Help assure adequate funding for the Cooperative Standards Program.
- Participate on committees and subcommittees to develop needed standards.
- Self-certify that your products meet ASABE standards.

Please contact us whenever you have questions or suggestions regarding standards.

Administrative Assistant, Standards 269-429-0300