Steel Casting Exports Increase By $88m After Ita-Supported Standards Engagement
ITA Support Helps Trade Association Secure Fair Treatment in Formulation of International Standards
U.S. steel industry experts identified three proposed international quality control standards that unfairly targeted American producers. These standards would have required U.S. manufacturers to change their quality process, while producers in other countries were unaffected.
The experts determined these changes were unnecessary because existing U.S. quality practices already met the desired quality levels. They raised their concerns during an International Organization of Standards (ISO) meeting. Thanks to their advocacy, ISO dropped the proposed standards after constructive discussions. Financial support from ITA’s Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) helped U.S. technical experts attend the Paris meeting.
$88M Export Growth Driven by Standards Advocacy
The Steel Founders Society of America (SFSA) estimates that increased participation in ISO meetings and the removal of the proposed quality standards boosted annual U.S. steel exports by $88 million. SFSA’s strategy was simple: involve more U.S. industry representatives in ISO steel standards development meetings. MDCP award funding of $172,000 helped cover additional travel and personnel costs.
In addition to MDCP funds, SFSA received support from:
- ITA’s standards attachés in Brussels.
- ITA’s Industry & Analysis standards team and industry experts in Washington, DC.
- Standards developing organization ASTM International.
- The American Iron and Steel Institute.
These efforts resulted in positive outcomes for U.S. steel producers:
- A 20% increase in U.S. experts reviewing ISO documents, adding 12 new participants.
- Reactivation of a long-dormant committee on steel tubes for pressure purposes.
- Participation as a member on the committee on ferrous metal pipes and fittings.
A Unique U.S. Approach to Standards
Unlike many countries, the United States doesn’t have a government agency to create and enforce standards. Instead, private industry drives this process. Coordinated by ITA’s Industry & Analysis unit, the U.S. government does have standards attachés around the world. These ITA officials monitor emerging standards issues that have potential trade implications for U.S. industry. They serve as essential resources and points of contact for U.S. stakeholders. As part of the ITA team supporting the SFSA MDCP project, ITA sent its Brussels-based standards attaché to participate in key ISO meetings on steel standards.
One U.S. delegate noted that the presence of a U.S. standards attaché made an ISO meeting “one of the most productive I have ever attended.” He also highlighted the accommodating atmosphere, particularly in the work of harmonizing chemical compositions of approximately 100 grades of stainless steels.