July-August 2019 NPJ

26 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, July-August 2019 ASME International Working Groups By Christian Sanna and Kate Hyam, ASME. Christian Sanna Christian Sanna is the Director of Nuclear Codes and Standards at ASME, and supports the development and production of ASME’s nuclear codes and standards and their promulgation around the world. He also serves as the Secretary of the ASME Board on Nuclear Codes and Standards. Mr. Sanna joined ASME in 1989, and has served as Secretary of several nuclear standards development committees, including the BPV Section III Committee on Construction of Construction of Nuclear Facility Components, the Committee on Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA), and the Committee on Nuclear Air and Gas Treatment (CONAGT). In his capacity as NCS Asia Liaison, from 2006 through 2015, he developed and maintained organizational partnerships and provided training on nuclear codes and standards concepts and activities. Mr. Sanna graduated with a BSME from the University of Rochester and MBA from New York University. Nuclear Codes and Standards Development for the Global Market Introduction Since the founding of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1880, ASME has played a significant role in standardization. Today, ASME is a premier not-for-profit membership organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, career enrichment, and skills development across all engineering disciplines. Among its numerous activities is the development, maintenance, and publication of almost 600 standards, covering everything from simple equipment such as hand tools and plumbing fixtures to complex systems overning the design, abrication, testing, ualification, operation nd inspection of Nuclear Power Plant omponents and ystems. ASME standards re continuously pdated to meet the eeds of industry. ASME has adopted numerous policies and procedures that ensure that its standards are among the most respected – and most relevant – in the world. ASME is accredited as a Standards Development Organization by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which establishes essential requirements and procedures for ensuring due-process. ASME abides by standards development principles established by the World Trade Organization including transparency, openness, impartiality and consensus, relevance and effectiveness, coherence and developing country interests. International Outreach Supported by its volunteer leaders, committees and staff, ASME Standards and Certification has conducted many outreach efforts, to engage international stakeholders. Meetings, workshops, conferences, and collaborations with stakeholders and other standards developers are a significant part of ASME’s globalization activities, and vital to its success. With the majority of new Nuclear Power Plants under development in regions outside of the United States, ASME recognizes the importance of maintaining a strong global presence in the Nuclear Standards and Certification space. Future innovations in standards for Nuclear technology will likely emerge through international development and ASME Standards and Certification has sought to increase the number and diversity of qualified participants on the standards writing committees. Year- over-year, ASME has been successful; its pool of standards committee volunteers has increased and participation by experts based outside North America has consistently risen. This is particularly important as technological development, industry and commerce are increasingly globalized, and ASME standards strive to reflect the current best practices and experience from users around the worlds. Managing International Standards Development Collaboration Managing the collaboration of close to 6000 volunteer experts is one of most important roles of ASME. This challenge is compounded as ASME’s standards committees become more global with the inclusion of members from around the world. It’s clear that facilitating collaboration and expanding the geographic diversity of standards committees requires actively adapting and innovating to reduce the burdens that prevent otherwise qualified experts from participating. Traditionally, committee members have been required to attend in-person committee meetings, typically held 2-4 times per year. The travel expenses and time away from the office, can be a barrier to effective participation for those volunteer members who must travel from overseas to their committee meetings that are predominately convened within the U.S.A. Nevertheless, a significant number of volunteer members reside outside the U.S.A. Their impressive efforts to regularly attend meetings over the years is very much appreciated by their committees and ASME. Innovating for Participants In an effort to increase participation from international representatives, ASME g f q a c s a u n