NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS REPORT

8938

REPORT Ot: LATIN AMERICA TRAVEL

PART I . U. S. Agency for International Development (AID)--

Colombia Standards Institute Seminar Program,

April 22, 1965 - June 12, 1965.

PART II . Weights and Measures Activities, Colombia and

Venezuela

by

LeRoy L . Wyman

Special Assistant, International Standards

Institute for Applied Technology

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS
THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

Th- National Bureau of Standards is a principal focal point in the Federal Government for assuring

maximum application of the physical and engineering sciences to the advancement of technology in industry and commerce. Its responsibilities include development and maintenance of the national standards of measurement, and the provisions of means for making measurements consistent with those

standards; determination of physical constants and properties of materials; development of methods

for toting materials, mechanisms, and structures, and making such tests as may be necessary, particularly for government agencies; cooperation in the establishment of standard practices for incorporation in codes and specifications; advisory service to government agencies on scientific and technical

problems; invention and development of devices to serve special needs of the Government; assistance

to industry, business, and consumers in the development and acceptance of commercial standards and

simplified trade practice recommendations; administration of programs in cooperation with United

States business groups and standards organizations for the development of international standards of

practice; and maintenance of a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of scientific, technical, and engineering information. The scope of the Bureau’s activities is suggested in the following

listing of its four Institutes and their organizational units. Institute for Basic Standards. Applied Mathematics. Electricity. Metrology. Mechanics. Heat. Atomic Physics. Physical Chemistry. Laboratory Astrophysics.* Radiation Physics. Radio Standards

Laboratory:* Radio Standards Physics; Radio Standards Engineering. Office of Standard Reference

Data. Institute for Materials Research. Analytical Chemistry. Polymers. Metallurgy. Inorganic Materials. Reactor Radiations. Cryogenics.* Materials Evaluation Laboratory. Office of Standard Refer- ence Materials.

Institute for Applied Technology. Building Research. Information Technology. Performance Test Development. Electronic Instrumentation. Textile and Apparel Technology Center. Technical Analysis.

Office of Weights and Measures. Office of Engineering Standards. Office of Invention and Innovation.

Office of Technical Resources. Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information.**

Central Radio Propagation Laboratory.* Ionospheric Telecommunications. Tropospheric Tele- communications. Space Environment Forecasting. Aeronomy.

Located at Boulder, Colorado 80301. Located at 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22171.
NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS REPORT

NBS PROJECT NBS REPORT

4000402 8938

REPORT ON LATIN AMERICA TRAVEL

PART I . U. S. Agency for International Development (AID)--

Colombia Standards Institute Seminar Program,

April 22, 1965 - June 12, 1965.

PART II . Weights and Measures Activities, Colombia and

Venezuela

by

LeRoy L . Wyman

Special Assistant, International Standards

Institute for Applied Technology

IMPORTANT NOTICE NATIONAL BUREAU OF ST

for use within the Government,

and review. For this reason, th< whole or in part, is not author Bureau of Standards, Washingti

the Report has been specifically

Approved for public release by the

Director of the National Institute of

Standards and Technology (NIST)

on October 9, 2015.

»s accounting documents intended

subjected to additional evaluation

listing of this Report, either in

i Office of the Director, National

the Government agency for which

spies for its own use.

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS
5

.

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. Jr?

' !
INDEX

Page

Abstract i

Acronyms and Abbreviations ii

1

.

Preface 1-9

PART I . 2. Introduction 9

3. Formal Seminar Opening 10

4. Seminar Personnel 11

5. Seminar Program 12

6. Seminar Facilities 12

7. Technical Seminars 13

7.1 Seminar Operation 13

7.2 Standards Situation 15

7.3 Metals Seminar - L. L. Wyman 16

8. Visit to Acerias Paz de Rio, Belencito 21

9. Other Seminars'* 24

9.1 Cement and Concrete Seminar - B. E. Foster 24

9.2 Modular Construction Seminar - C. T. Mahaffey 25

9.3 Fertilizer Seminar - J. R. Adams 26

9.4 Pesticide Seminar - Ruth L. Busbey 26

9.5 Textiles Seminar - H. F. Schiefer 27

9.6 Food Seminar - F. P. Griffiths 28

9.7 Pasties Seminar - G. M. Kline 29

9.8 Hides and Leather Seminar - J. R. Kanagy 30

10. Standards Library 31

11. Training Trip - Javier Henao L. 31

12. Summary 31

13. Recommendations 32

14. Acknowledgments 36

PART II . 15. Introduction 37

16. Bogota, Colombia 38

16.1 National University of Bogota 38

16.2 Ministry Visit 39

16.3 Final Arrangements 40

16.4 Current Status 40

17. Visit to Caracas, Venezuela 41

17.1 Background 41

17.2 Orientation 41

17.3 Metrology Division 42 * Reports of individual seminar activities (9.1 thru 9.8 incl)

have been abstracted from detailed reports by seminar leaders.

Reports on file at NBS and AID/Bogota.
' .

...

.. 1 : ' 1 - , • .. I
ABSTRACT

PART I of this report details the accomplishments of the Seminar

Program of technical assistance given the Colombian Standards

Institute (Instituto Colombiano de Normas Tecnicas, ICONTEC) by

U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID) - Colombia.

Nine individual seminars were conducted in standardization practices

for metals, cement and concrete, modular construction, fertilizers,

pesticides, textiles, food, plastics, and hides and leather; these

being conducted by technical experts from the National Bureau of

Standards an4 the Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research

Service, U. S. A.

PART II relates the background and activities leading to the

establishment of the Weights and Measures demonstration and

training center in Bogota, and the writer's visit in Venezuela

on the same subject.

1
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

The use of acronyms is in common and recognized use today, and is

of great convenience. However, it does present reader-difficulties

to those who do not have a familiarity with the organizations of

reference. As a consequence of this, and of certain previous

comments on the use of acronyms without detailed explanation, the

following list

this report.

should familiarize the reader with those used in

AID/ Agency for International Development (AID) Mission

Office in the particular country (or Washington)

API

ALALC (LAFTA)

ALCA

ARS

ASA

ASME

ASTM

American Petroleum Institute

Latin American Free Trade Association

American Leather Chemists Association

Agriculture Research Service (U. S. Department Agriculture)

American Standards Association

American Society Mechanical Engineers

American Society for Testing and Materials

CAMACOL

COPANT (PASC)

COVEN IN

CU

Chamber of Construction of Colombia

Pan American Standards Commission (PASC)

Venezuela Standards Institute

Consumers Union

D/

D/C

Department of

Department of Commerce

FOA Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations

ICAITI Instituto Centroamer icano de Inves tigacion y Tecnologia

Industrial (Research and Standards Institute for

Central American Common Market Countries)

ICONTEC Instituto Colombiano de Normas Tecnicas (Colombia

Standards Institute)

IEC

I IT

INANTIC

INCOLDA

International Electrotechnical Commission

Instituto de Investigaciones Tecnologicas

Peruvian Standards Institute

Instituto Colombiano de Administracion

ISO

L. A.

NBS

NEMA

OWA

SPI

W&M

WHO

International Standards Organization

Latin America (n)

National Bureau of Standards (USA)

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

Office of Weights and Measures, NBS

Society of the Plastics Industry

Weights and Measures

World Health Organization

- ii -
REPORT ON LATIN AMERICA TRAVEL

1. Preface

1.1 The Standards Programs

The full employment of an adequate program in standards practices and in

the adoption and use of measurement standards has long been proven to be

essential to the advancement of the science and technology, and to the

economy of any nation. Further, none of the lesser-developed nations can

hope to achieve greater technological and economic development unless they,

too, are active in these areas to the greatest possible extent.

This report, while dealing mainly with the current level of attainment

in assisting Colombia via the implementation of standards and their use,

carries with it the very significant fact that this is a '’first” in

which the Agency for International Development (AID) has been actively

supporting such an activity. Because of this, and more importantly

because of its success, it would seem to be advisable to preface the

report with a brief standards orientation which will attempt to show

why standards are so essential to developing nations.

1. National Development

In current terminology, we have the "developed,” the "lesser developed,”

and the "under developed” characterization of countries, and, in the broad

sense, this is a measure of progress from rags to riches or from the

starvation existence to the beautiful two chickens in the lunch pail

(or cars in the garage). In any event, what it really means is that

nature has provided us with certain raw materials which, through the

discoveries of science which are subsequently put to work through an

advanced technology, have permitted us to convert these new materials

into products which are widely distributed to provide a better life for

all the people.

The conversion of the raw materials into the final products is the

result of our "know-how” emanating from research, engineering application, and efficient production methods . Furthermore, this "know-how”

depends entirely on the full use of mensuration as exemplified in the

establishment and use of standards of practice and the adoption and

legal application of standards of measurement. The need for these was

most eloquently stated by the famous 19th century scientist,

Lord Kelvin:

"I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking

about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it;

but when you- cannot express it in numbers, yoir knowledge is

of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind; it may be the beginning

of knowledge, but you have scarcely, in your thoughts, advanced

to the stage of Science , whatever the matter may be."
2

Thus, in essence, "to measure is to know; 1

' and thus we "measure" our raw

materials and control their conversion through measurements and then we

finally evaluate the finiahed product by test methods, which again fully

employ measurements in order to assure that the product is satisfactory.

The distribution of the product involves many factors, but the endpoint is the selling of the product to a customer, and the latter's

satisfaction with the purchase. This and like transactions constitute

the commerce and trade which build the economy of the nation.

1.3 Elements of Trade

The sale and purchase of a product involves three factors which are:

a. The QUALITY of the product;

b. The QUANTITY of the product; and

c. The PRICE of the product.

Of the above three, in the realm of present-day good business practices,

the first two of these factors can be considered to be fixed values

because they are established by standards of one kind or another. Thus

it might be advisable to examine the kinds of standards which are used,

and to indicate how and why they are essential to any national development effort.

1.4 Standards of Practice.

The 'quality' of a product is a generalized term denoting that the

particular product is satisfactory, i.e., the product meets the

established standard for this item because such a standard stipulates

the minimum acceptable characteristics of a product for a given

application, and that this standard is the result of the voluntary

collaboration of both producers and consumers acting in complete

freedom on consensus principle to achieve the following: (a) the

standard which defines the product, and (b) the test method by which

conformity to the standard is ascertained. Furthermore, both of these

factors are in terms of measurable characteristics and are consequently

completely dependent on the use of measurement standards, as will be

subsequently discussed.

"Quality Control" is another popularized term for the very simple fact

that if a producer is to make a product which will meet the standard,

then he must establish his own standards for (a) the raw materials which

he purchases, and he must (b) establish rigid instructions and requirements

for each operation which he performs on the raw materials in order to combine these into the final product. The establishment of these standards

is essential, and it is the means that are employed to assure conformity

to the established procedures that is known as "quality control."
3

Quite obviously, it is the standard which establishes the quality and

these just-described standards are the company standards which are

strictly private documents and information, and should always be

treated as such.

In addition to these standards, as soon as the producer gets into

volume production, and most particularly if he subcontracts for parts

and assemblies, he must institute rigid control of measurements in

order to insure interchangeability.

As industry expands and there come to be many producers of the same

product, these frequently unite in a trade organization in order to

promote the welfare of their industry. In so doing they can present

a united front, as consumers, to the suppliers of their raw materials;

they can consult with their customers to ascertain all consumer requirements and frequently therefrom derive information that will permit them

to agree on standardization by means of product-line simplification.

For example, the canning industry once had some 200 sizes of cans, and

simplified this to 32 sizes* with many savings such as higher production

hence lower cost per item; better process supervision per item with same

personnel, lower inventories, less warehouse space, etc. Thus, these

forms of standardization are recognized as the intercompany, or tradeassociation level of standards. In the further interest of their industry, one finds that such associations frequently advertise the fact

that the products manufactured by their members will always meet or exceed the standards for the product.

Having to deal with many kinds of raw materials, these producers now

must coordinate their efforts with the several trade associations

formed by the raw materials suppl iers--and in which case our product

manufacturers become the consumers, thus the tables are turned and we

have a complexity of producer-consumer relations. And how is this

solved?

The answer lies in the formation of an industry- and consumer-instigated,

free and independent standards organization which provides the means for

all producers and all consumers to voluntarily collaborate, in a completely democratic manner and on consensus principles, in writing standard

specifications for materials and products as well as for the methods by

which they are to be tested for compliance to the requirements of the

standard specification. This is the inter-trade association-consumer

level of standardization which establishes the national standards.

Quoted from previously published information.
- 4 -

The national economy depends on the international trade between the

have and have-not nations and, at this point, we encounter two very

significant factors: First, the national standard of one nation may

differ from that of another for a given product because of the producerconsumer requirements within each nation; and second, that in measuring

both the compliance to standards and the quantity of goods to be purchased, the units of measurement must be defined on an international

basis. Thus we find on the one hand the independent, world-wide

International Standards Organization (ISO) consisting of 50 or more

members which are the national standards organizations of their re- spective countries. Also, there is the regional international standards

organization for Latin America, COPANT, with others in process of formation . On the other hand, to serve the standards for measurement there is the

International Bureau of Weights and Measures at Sevres, France, which

has the basic standards of mass, length, and volume which are defined

by the International Committee on Weights and Measures, and which serve

as the reference standards for the entire world.

Now it must be admitted that obtaining the consensus of both producers

and consumers in order to arrive at a standard of practice at the national

level is sometimes quite an arduous task; but, once established, it _is

the national standard.

Idealistically, we can hope for that day when all products are defined

by international standards, and this can undoubtedly be accomplished

in many areas as evidenced by the fact that ISO has well over 100 committees at work. However, there are three very important elements in

international standardization that are not always self-evident:

(1) The first of these concerns the requirement of the

standard itself, inasmuch as this is a compromise on a really big scale. For example, if we go back to the discussion of the initial agreement between a customer and

a producer to arrive at a company-level specification, we

must become aware of the fact that this agreement amounts

to a compromise between what the customer wants (or thinks

he can get) and that which the producer is capable of making.

At the inter-company level one finds good, bad, and indifferent producers and a still wider variety of consumer

demands; all requiring compromises, and thus onward to the

national level which involves more compromising on a still

broader base.

As this base is broadened among countries of varying degrees

of technical capability, it is inevitable that the resulting

compromise agreements represent a quality level which is
5

below that of the more capable countries. Furthermore,

this situation is aggravated by the fact that the approval

of a standard by ISO, for example, is by but a simple

majority of votes, whereas the adoption of national

standards by the more progressive national standards

bodies can only be attained by overwhelming approval.

(2) Looking at the other side of this coin, the industries

in the more advanced countries having national standards

which contain more stringent requirements than do the international standards, are sometimes lulled into a false sense

of security because their industry unwittingly assumes that

their products--meeting or exceeding the national standard--

would certainly qualify on the international level. Maybe

so--and maybe not, because:

(3) While all of these standards for the product and for

the test methods are primarily technical documents, we must

face the simple fact that they establish the quality level

of items of commerce, and hence become subject to many

influences which have been known to affect the writing of

some international specifications with the preservation of

markets as a primary consideration in the specifications

writing. For example, a given U. S. product may have an

American Standard which has much more stringent product

requirements than does a proposed international standard;

so the U. S. producer is not interested and does not participate in the writing of the international specification.

Later, he finds that his product does not meet the international specification because metric sizes are mentioned--

not English inch/pound measurements. Thus, the U. S. product

has been M written-outM of the International standard and

much of the world market.

The foregoing factors should be ample evidence of two facts: First,

that national standards should be equally--but preferably more--

demanding than are any international requirements; and second, that

the industry of the country and hence its international trade must

be protected by complete collaboration and participation in international s tandards-writing.

The standards-economy relationship is well expressed at one point in

the ISO constitution which states: "The object of the Organization

shall be to promote the development of standards in the world with a view of facilitating international exchange of goods and services and

to developing mutual cooperation in the sphere of intellectual,

scientific, technological, and economic activity."
6

Perhaps some of this can be further emphasized by the fact that the

Latin American Free Trade Association (LAFTA or ALALC) in trying to

eliminate the international trade barriers between the Latin American

countries on many items of commerce, has adopted the policy that the

quality of these items under consideration must be defined by a COPANT standard--and LAFTA has organized a standards committee to

collaborate with COPANT to this end. Thus the L. A. countries working

within LAFTA must have adequate national standards and must participate

in COPANT work to attain Pan American Standards.

It is also of prime importance to note that in two other world areas

where free-trade groups are being formed that, having learned from

the experiences of existing groups, the initial steps being taken

are those in connection with having effective standards organizations

in the prospective member countries and effective cooperation among

these groups in the interests of common standards in the free-trade

area. This will indeed set the pattern for other "developing" areas.

Another form of standards of practice concerns what we call "codes,"

and to describe these in an overly-simplified manner one might say

that Vhere the health, safety, and welfare of the public are concerned,

it is necessary to protect these by laws (codes) which are adopted by

and enforced by government. These codes differ from standards for

materials and products in that the latter define what the item is,

while the code states how things are to be done in the interest of

the public. Thus in doing so, one can be assured that, for example,

in a building code which is established in order to assure safe construction practices, this code will insist that all of the materials

and products employed in the construction are "standard."

In a U. N. report of a few years ago, Dr*. John Gaillard summarized

the advantages of standardization, and I have presumed to paraphrase

these, thus the main advantages are:

1. Elimination of the necessity of the repetitive planning

of the attainment of a given objective. For example, costs

of purchasing by specifications are one-third to one-fourth

of the usual "bargaining" procedures.

2. The defining in specific terms and/or measurements of

such concepts as "performance" and "quality."

3. The most economic use of human effort, materials and

time; thus obtaining the lowest cost of the supply and

distribution of goods and services. For example, U. S.

industry save $5 for every $1 spent in standards efforts.
7

4. The reduction of the variety of means which are required in order to cover a given range of needs. This

is standardization through simplification as previously

cited with reference to the tin cans.

5. The promotion of interchangeability of component

parts, assemblies, and complete, products, thus making

possible the use of long-run, highly repetitive manufacturing and also facilitating replacement and repairs--

at appreciably lower costs. This, of course, requires

full employment of measurement standards.

6. The easier training or re-training of personnel by

means of instruction through the use of processing

standards, instructions, manuals, etc.

7. The elimination of misunderstanding, confusion, and

conflict between individuals and organizations, resulting

in their more harmonious and effective cooperation and

time-saving

8. The creation of a rational basis of understanding

in contracts, such as between a buyer and a seller.

9. The promotion and assurance of fair dealing in all

trade, foreign as well as domestic.

These concepts were well-expressed by a Past-President of ASTM, who

commented to the effect that two people, on opposite sides of the world,

who had never seen each other nor did they speak a common language,

could do business in complete confidence through the use of standards.

1.5 Standards of Measurement

The preceding discussion of standards of practice contained many and

repeated instances of measurement; and, if we go back to the first

instance of a producer and consumer collaborating to establish the

specification for a product and the test method for compliance, through

further thought there must come the stark realization that the means

of measurement which these two parties use must be identical, and their

measuring instruments must be calibrated against the same standard.

Thus, as we progress up the hierarchy of standards, these requirements

become of even greater necessity. As the consequence of this, it is

most obvious that from the company level up through the international

level of standards all measurement must be on a common basis. Now,

this is from the technical aspect.
8

When it comes to trade, quantity and price (at a given quality level)

are inter-related and subject to bargaining; that is, for a given

quantity the prices may be subject to competitive bargaining. However, it is at this point that we fix the quantity in terms of a uniform measurements system, and only price is the variable.

But now there comes into this consideration another element, and

whether it is called "consumer interest," or any other name, its

essence is honesty in business* Also, because this is in the public

interest, it is the obligation of government to assure that the

selling element of the populace does not cheat the vast buying

element; and this, as with the technical aspects of standardization,

can be accomplished only by means of a uniform system of measurement and, in this instance, the enforcement of accuracy in the use

of the system--as with a code.

The one and only answer to these many aspects of measurement is that

every country must adopt, employ, and insure the proper application

of the internatioanlly established standards for mass, volume, and

length by passing the necessary laws and establishing the necessary

administrative and inspection services attendant thereto in order

that the butcher, the baker, and the candle-stick maker are all

giving honest weights and measures.

1.6 The Standards Spiral

The discoveries of science lead to new products through technological

developments, and these products create new markets and thus enhance

the economy. However, there is another aspect to this situation

which lies in the simple fact that standards of practice are not

permanent; this being due to the fact that as science and technology

improve--so do the products thereof, and of necessity, the standards

which define these products.

For example, given a new product, it first must pass the company

process and product standards, and later a national standard is

written. Following this the product encounters compliance testing.

During the course of these two testing procedures it is found that

a small percentage of the total number of items produced fail to meet

the specification requirements, thus research is employed to find out

why, because the loss of these rejects is costly to the producer and

he must find out and eliminate the causes. Also, curiously enough,

another small portion of the total production is far above the requirements--and why should this be? So more research to find this answer

in the interests of product improvement and hence better marketability.
9

When these answers are found, it becomes clear that we have completed

the circuit research and development -* Product Product Testing

Standard Compliance Testing and from the two testing phases back

into R & D. Now, it must be carefully noted that this is not a circle;

on the contrary, it is one loop of a spiral because, on completing the

circuit, the product now has moved upward in quality . In an advancing

technology, this process continues to repeat itself and results in

further boosts to the economy of the country.

Having encompassed this briefing of the entire standards picture into

but a few pages, it can be more fully appreciated that it is most

gratifying to find a "standards consciousness" in Colombia, and that

moves are on the way to effectuate standards for the country. Thus

it is in this frame of mind that one can understand the reasons for

the activities subsequently reported, as well as the reasons why AID

is supporting these activities.

PART I . U. S. Agency for International Development (AID)

Colombia Standards Institute Seminar Program,

April 22, 1965 - June 12, 1965.

2. Introduction

During the past 3 years, with assistance from AID/Colombia and NBS

personnel, the Colombian Standards Institute, ICONTEC, has been

legally established, and has been recognized by the Ministry of

Development of Colombia as the official s tandards-writ ing body of

the country. (See NBS Reports 7793, 8072, 8182, and 8564.)

Organized as a private, independent group, eventually to be supported

by Colombian industry, it is the objective of the AID Mission in

Colombia to actively support this movement to obtain adequate industry

support and effective operation of the Institute by sponsoring a series

of seminars which are aimed to (a) familiarize industry executives with

the role of, and necessity for, adequate national standards and for

effective international standards cooperation, and (b) to work with

the standards-writing committees of ICONTEC to assist them to most

effective operation.

The entire technical assistance program as outlined in 1963 by

Mr. T. Markow, then Industry Officer of USAID/ COLOMBIA, and the

writer, in agreement with Dr. Javier Henao, Executive Director of

ICONTEC, consists of three essential parts (See NBS 8564 for details).

a. Seminar Program

b. Standards Library

c. Training ICONTEC personnel
10

AID/Colombia requested the assistance of NBS in carrying out this

program, with Mr. Wyman coordinating these efforts.

In the disciplines of fertilizers, pesticides, and foods, which

are quite outside the scope of NBS activities, Dr. Drostoff

(International Administrator) and Dr. Irving (Administrator,

Agriculture Research Service) most helpfully provided the excellent

services of the Department of Agriculture experts in these fields.

3. Formal Seminar Opening

The original plans for the seminar program had provided for a formal opening session to be held on the first evening. However,

due to the fact that so many of the metals people were out of

town at a metallurgical convention, the opening formalities were

delayed one week.

This session was held in the INCOLDA auditorium and was attended

by a specially invited group of industry, university, and government personnel, U. S. Embassy and AID officials, seminar leaders

from NBS and Department of Agriculture, and ICONTEC staff, including

the following:

Dr. Javier Henao L.

Mr. James Fowler

Dr. Roberto Acosta

Executive Director, ICONTEC

Director, US-AID/Colombia

General Director, Ministry of

Public Health, Colombia

Mr. George A. Ellsworth U. S. Commercial Attache

Vice Admiral Francisco Munoz General Manager of Military

Industry, Colombian Navy

Mr. L. L. Wyman National Bureau of Standards, USA

Mr. Fowler opened the program with an account of the interest which

the AID Mission had in promoting the technology and industry of

Colombia, and hence its economy; this seminar program being only

one--but a very important one--of AID activities of assistance.

During the one-week delay in this program, decisions had been made

to locate the weights and measures demonstration unit in Bogota;

thus Mr. Fowler was able to make the official announcement of this

important fact at the conclusion of his speech.

Dr. Acosta then spoke of the importance and the need for standards

and codes in Colombia, and Mr. Ellsworth emphasized the necessity

for standards, particularly as they relate to the establishment of

recognized quality levels of the products involved in international

trade.
11

The major address of the evening was presented by Mr. Wyman in

a 40 minute lecture on the technical and economic aspects of

standards. The presentation emphasized the important roles that

standards play in improving the technology and increasing the

effeciency of operations, thereby improving quality and also

lowering the costs, the effects of which are reflected from the

level of "company standards" through to international standards

and trade and, hence, the economy of the country.

At Mr. Fowler's request, Mr. Wyman also gave a short discussion

of the weights and measures laboratory which had been provided by

AID funds, and which would be set up in Bogota, at the National

University as an AID/ICONTEC/ National University venture, by

NBS experts who would also train National University personnel

in order that these facilities would continue these services for

the training of weights and measures personnel from other Latin

American countries.

The formal session was closed by very appropriate comments from

Dr. Henao on the objectives of ICONTEC in promoting standards in

Colombia, and on the desire of this organization for full support

and participation by Colombian industry. A social hour was then

enjoyed by all.

The technical experts who conducted the several seminars are all

well-recognized for technical accomplishments in their respective

fields, and are also well-versed and many of them long-experienced

in standards efforts in their respective fields. In fact, four of

these have had experience in Latin American standards activities in

connection with the Pan American Standards Commission and its seminars.

4. Seminar Personnel

The Seminar Leaders were:

Subj ect

Dr. J. R. Adams

(Research Chemist, ARS, Dept . Agricul ture) Fertilizers

Mrs. Ruth Busbey

(Asst, to the Chief, Pesticide Chemical

Research Branch, ARS, Dept. Agriculture)

Pesticides

Dr. B. E. Foster

(Chief, Inorganic Bldg Mat’ls.,

Building Research Division, NBS)

Cement

Concrete

Dr. F. P. Griffiths

(Chemist-in-Charge, Fruit and Vegetable

Products Lab, ARS, Dept. Agriculture)

Food

Dr. J. R. Kanagy

(Consultant on Leather, NBS)

Hides and

Leather
12

Dr. G. M. Kline

(Consultant on Plastics, NBS)

Plastics

Mr. C. T. Mahaffey

(Building Research Division, NBS)

Modular

'Construction

Dr. H. F. Schiefer

(Consultant on Textiles, NBS)

Textiles

Mr. L. L. Wyman

(Special Asst . -International Standards , NBS)

Ferrous and

Non-Ferrous

' Metal

5. Seminar Program

Due to a number of uncontrollable factors it was necessary to

formulate the seminar schedule rather hastily and also make it

subject to the availability of the personnel from the USA, many of

whom already had a number of prior commitments. This necessitated

a certain amount of doubling-up of schedules, with sometimes several

seminars running at the same time. However, adjustments were finally

made, arriving at the following schedule:

The major tasks of making all of the arrangements for this series

of seminars were the responsibility of ICONTEC, and much credit is

due Dr. Henao and his staff for the excellent manner in which this

new venture was carried out.

Through the courtesy of INCOLDA, the Colombian Institute of Administration (business) and its Director, Sr. Simon Gonzalez, and

with the cooperation of Mr. George Fitch, Industry Officer, AID/ COL

the excellent facilities of INCOLDA were made available. The

"opening session" was held in the auditorium, and the seminar

sessions were held in a special conference room which was especially

equipped for such meetings, including individual radios for reception

of simul-translation.

Metals Seminars

Cement and Concrete

Modular Construction

Fertilizers

Pesticides

Textil es Food

Plastics

Hides and Leather

Apr 26 - May 7, 1965

Apr 26 - May 7, 1965

Apr 26 - May 7, 1965

May 3 - May 14, 1965

May 3 - May 14, 1965

May 10 - May 21 , 1965 (Medellin)

May 17 - May 28, 1965

May 31 - June 11, 1965

May 31 - June 11, 1965

6. Seminar Facilities
- 13

INCOLDA made available two most competent ladies for the translation services, and had even gone to the extent of pretraining

them by attendance at ICONTEC committee meetings so that they

could become familiar with the technical jargon in the several

discipl ines

Additionally, a most comely and efficient public relations aide

was provided for general assistance and as an interpreter.

The work-sessions with the committees of ICONTEC were held in

the committee rooms at ICONTEC headquarters. Such were the

arrangements in Bogota. However, for the textile seminar which

was held in Medellin in order to be near the center of this

industry, INCOLDA again played host and provided the same kind

of services as those so well rendered in Bogota.

7, Technical Seminars

7.1 Seminar Operation

The general plan of the seminar program was to devote two weeks

to each subject, the morning sessions being devoted to discussions

with representatives of business management of the broad aspects

of standards from both the technical and economic aspects, while

the afternoon sessions were devoted to work with ICONTEC technical

committees in actual standards-writing. In most instances, this

work program was supplemented by plant visitations.

In order to assure adequate coverage of the most important factors

in standards practices, the first day or two of the seminar sessions

took the form of topical lectures on standards using a broad program

outline such as the following but interpreted in terms of the

particular subject industry:

OUTLINE FOR STANDARDS INDOCTRINATION

Standard Defined

A standard specification stipulates the minimum acceptable characteristics of a product for a given application.

Why Standards

Technical

Design

Production

Quality Quality Control

Purchasing

Communication
- 14 -

Voluntary Standardization

Permits freedom, not government control.

Consensus principle.

^'Balanced participation in product specs

Restraint-of-Trade (US vs. Johns Manville

Brit. Stds Inst, exempt by law

o

ft o o

O 0 Hfl> CL CO 00

c c rta> o 3 o ft o o ft 0

ft ft CD * co CO COrt

P f C 4- G I

(AT>TM) )

Kinds of Standards

1. Standards of Measurement (Weights & Measures)

Effect of Law, Enforcement.

2. Standards of Practice

(a) Materials specifications

(b) Test methods

(c) Codes - Effect of Law and Enforcement

(d) Commodity Standards

(e) Consumer "standards"

Levels of Standards of Practice

1. Company standards

2. Inter-company (Trade assn) stds.

3. Inter-Assn. Stds National Stds. = ICONTEC

4. International Stds

(a) Regional -- COPANT

(b) Universal -- ISO (IEC)

Who Writes Standards

1. Societies, Associations, Institutes, etc.

(a) Private - voluntary

(b) Qua si-governmental

(c) Government Agency

May vary from "voluntary" (NBS Commodity Stds)

to "mandatory" (Stds from COVENIN, Gov’t. Stds

organization in Venezuela — also others)

2. Voluntary Standards Organizations

MUCH PREFERABLE.

Freedom in Standards

Full consensus

No governmental pressure and/or compulsion, etc.

Standards and Codes

Standards usually define "what"

*Codes usually define "how"

^Something must be done, and usually requires standard materials.

A form of standard, requiring government enforcement** in the

welfare of the public.

** Note: In the US many standards are written into codes which

are enforced by local , county, state or federal govern'

ments. In Latin America this is not usually the case;

thus some standards must include the "code-aspects" so that the entire package can be adopted and enforced by

the federal government.
15

Organization for Standards

Voluntary, "Three-Body” organization (ASTM, ASA, etc.)

1. Board of Directors

Governs the organization under the constitution and

by-1 aws

2. Standards Board

(Admin. Comm, on Stds in ASTM)

Gives final approval of proposed stds (from working

comm.) Lf arrived at in accordance with const., bylaws, and regulations.

3. Working committees.

Sub- commit tees

Task Groups

Origin of Standards

Requests from companies, trade assoc., industry groups, gov'ts.,

etc. To:

(a) The standards institute

(b) Chairman of Working Committee

(c) Chairman of sub-committee

(d) From discussions in meetings of (b) or (c)

Effects of Standards

1. Measurement - basis of science and technology

2. Standards, put measurements to products

(a) Simplification

(b) Unification

(c) a and b enhance productivity -- economy

(d) Establishes quality level

guarantee by producer

assured quality to consumer

3. Simplified design and engineering

4. Facilitate communications

5. Reduce purchasing costs

6. Economic Aspects

(a) Standards define "quality" in the market

(b) Promote national and international acceptance

7. Management Responsibility Towards Standards Support and

Participate for Technical and Economic Benefits.

7.2 Standards Situation

Being new in the standards field, ICONTEC has the opportunity of

benefiting from all previous standard experience but it does have

the tremendous obligation of catching up to other countries with

respect to the standards which are needed to foster the development

of its internal technology and economy, as well as to enhance its

national economy by. full participation in t he writing of Latin

American standards through its cooperation in COPANT.
16

The situation is a healthy one for ICONTEC in the sense that,

eventually, the national standards of the individual L. A. countries

must be compatible with COPANT standards. As a consequence, in those

areas where COPANT standards have been written or are in-process, the

ICONTEC committees can begin their work by patterning the proposed

Colombian standards on the COPANT work. Similarly, many elements of

Colombian industry are operating on well -recognized standards derived

from other countries, thus these standards can also serve as the

basis for Colombian standards.

7.3 Metals Seminar — L. L. Wyman

Both the ferrous and non-ferrous metals organizations in Colombia

were holding meetings in Cartegena during most of the first week of

the seminar series, thus it was not until the second week that the

metals seminar began — and had to do its work double-time.

7.3.1 ICONTEC Metals Subcommittees

ICONTEC already has the following metals subcommittees organized,

and these are currently developing standards in their particular

categories:

Subcommittee Subj ect

C 2.1 Physical & Mechanical Tests

2.2 Chemical Tests

3.1 Flat Products (steel)

3.2 Tubular Products & Fittings (steel)

3.3 Wire and Wire Products

3.4 Bars and Shapes

These subcomittees of ICONTEC consist of 6-12 members each, and

one may note that these memberships —though small --do have good

representation from industry, government, universities, and engineer

ing societies.

7.3.2 Metals Seminar Registrants

Dr. Abel Morales

Dr. Gustavo Tobar

Dr. Jose Manuel Jimenez

Dr. Hernando Lopez Chaparro

Dr. Edwin Arens

Dr. Eduardo Rincon Trejos

Dr. Emiliano Olivar

Dr. Raman Stechauner

Dr. Jaime Rudas

Dr. Felipe Samper

Dr. Ernesto Umana

Dr. Juan Herkrath

Bavaria S. A.

Bavaria S. A.

Bavaria S. A.

Socio Personal

Talleres Metal icos Andina TAMETAL

Compania Nacional de Cables NALCABLES

Inst, de Investigaciones Tecnologicas

Industria Metalurgica del Pacifico Ltda.

Comite Administrative de Normas

m ii ii ii

ii ii ii ii

ii ii ii ii
17

Dr. Fernando Martinez

Dr. Humberto Gall ego

Dr. Arturo Rangel

Sr. H. Westervel

Sr. Alvaro Sepulveda

Sr. Luis G. Sarmiento

Sr. Ambrosio Ferro

Dr. Allan Buckle

Dr. Jose Rafael Ramirez

Dr. Jaime Rufz Gomez

Dr. Pedro Barrera

Mayor Luis F. Calixto Correal

Dr. Ricardo Rueda

Dr. Joaquin Ruiseco

Dr. Hernando Villamizar

Habib Ferrer

Laboratorio Ensayo de Materinales

Joserrago

Industria Militar

Universidad de los Andes

Fabricato

Fedemetal

Ferrotecnica

Philips - Incope

Restrepo & Uribe Ltda

Acerfas Paz del Rio S. A

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7*3.3 Morning Seminar Sessions

The first two mornings of the metals seminar were devoted to a coverage of the general outline for standards indoctrination with

question/ answer periods. Some of the questions included:

Where do standards originate?

What is the full meaning of "voluntary standardization?"

What is the "consensus principle?" How is it attained?

What relationship between ICONTEC, COPANT, ISO, ASA, and NBS?

What affects do International Stds have on national stds?

What is the relative quality level of each?

How to handle problem of English and metric measurements?

How to have adequate inspection and compliance testing?

One of the major chores of these sessions was to explain the many

sources of standards in the U. S., and how these are supposed to

feed into ASA and become internationally known as "American Standards."

While the foregoing may indicate a wide range of interests among the

participants, the percentage of these actually raising the questions

was small. Thus, in order to broaden the participation by the attendees,

the next three sessions were devoted to (a) individual problems, and

(b) analyses of ASTM specifications. In the first of these, the writer

advised those in attendance that each would be called upon to describe

his standards activities and problems. And here is where the seminar

"took off"; particularly because some of the problems were quite

pointedl In any event, audience participation was certainly achieved--

and a number of problems ironed out, such as:
- 18

Some producers and suppliers avoid using standards.

How to prevent the dumping of inferior materials, much of it

from abroad?

How to get standards for replacement parts and materials for

these parts?

What do we do for inspection?

What do we do for compliance testing?

How do we handle low-quality materials that have some areas of use?

What are the relative costs and gains of standardization?

How do codes relate to standards?

In a number of instances the problems were of a specific nature

having to do with a particular materials, and, having brought along

five of the very recently issued volumes of ASTM metals standards,

frequent reference was made to these. In fact, this activity resulted in about half of the time of the last three days being devoted to the detailed study of specifications for particular materials

which were called for by the seminar participants.

The interests of the seminar group in the ASTM specifications was not

of the specific technical nature, but rather of the broader aspects

of what and why the specification covered certain items. For example,

particular attention was devoted to the Basis of Purchase section now

included in many of the more recent ASTM specifications, particularly

wherein the inclusion of end use in this section automatically gives

forceful meaning to "workmanship" and "finish" clauses.

Long experience in ASTM committees and chairmanships, together with

extensive experience in COPANT activities and steel seminars as well

as U. S. National Committee and ISO working group experience were put

to good advantage in answering the many questions as to the interrelations of these organizations and where ICONTEC fits into the

picture*

Also of concern was the affect that standards already established by

these organizations would have on the standards that must be written

by Colombia. This was particularly significant because in writing

new standards, ICONTEC must constantly keep mindful of compatabil ity

with other standards. In fact, there are more than a few instances

wherein the national standards of a particular country have--for a specific industry--gained world-wide recognition and use. As a consequence of this, other national standards, and even the international standards, must be more than compatable: They must be

identical or they will not be used. Standards for the petroleum

industry, by ASTM with the full collaboration of API and ASME are

examples of this.
- 19

7*3,4 ICONTEC Committee Meetings

During the course of the metals seminar, three of the steel product

committees were scheduled for meetings, so several of the afternoons

were spent with these groups in discussing their current activities,

problems, and plans.

7. 3. 4.1 Flat Products Sub-Committee C3.1

This group has a very extensive program of the order of 20 specifications that are now sorely needed.

A few of them are in areas which are covered by COPANT documents, and

in other instances it is their plan to accept ASA, ASTM, and other

recognized standards as the basis for the ICONTEC standard.

Thus far, this group has been working as a committee-of-the-whol e , and

progress has been painfully slow. As the consequence, I discussed in

detail with them the concept of Task Group assignments in order that

the effort could be divided up and speeded up.

Another problem that confronts the committee is that of handling

materials which do not meet the quality level of existing specification, but which are nevertheless useful. Thus, the "need" and "use"

having been adequatly demonstrated, specification coverage is

warranted, and, because the product is of "local" nature, it would

seem preferable to write a separate specification rather than to

include this material as an added grade to an existing material

specification having broad application.

The discussion of this lower quality product quite naturally raised

the question of the "dumping" of substandard materials, mostly of

foreign origin. The answer to this, of course, is to have adequate

standards established, and to educate the buyers to purchase by

specification and adequately inspect each shipment.

The admixture of sheet steel thicknesses sized by "gage" in inchfractions, with the sheet lengths and widths cut to metric measurements is a problem which is current throughout L. A. In this, the

subcommittee will do well to follow the lead set up by the COPANT

seminar of 1962 at which the writer was International Standards

del egate.

There are several areas such as electrical (silicon) sheet steel,

ten-plate, etc., wherein Colombia is completely a non-producer.

However, ICONTEC should have good standards for these materials in

order to protect Colombian industry against the intrusion of inferior

products
20

It so happened that the testing committee was scheduled to meet at

the same time as the flat products groups, so it was decided that

these committees should meet together with me.

For the particular benefit of the testing subcommittee, I called

attention to the recent experiences of U. S. delegates in the ISO

working groups on steel and on copper with respect to tensile testing, grain-size, and hardness testing in that these committees were

going in different directions and that this would lead to a chaotic

situation. This is particularly true because ISO does not have an effective testing committee to coordinate such efforts for the whole

organization.

ASTM coordinates such efforts in its M E

M or "methods" committees

which work in full collaboration with the product committees that

need the test methods.

Unless something is done about the present situation, COPANT, too,

can easily fall into this same error—thusICONTEC should so organize

its test-method groups so as to be on a society-wide basis.

7. 3. 4. 2 Tubular Products and Fittings Subcommittee C3*2

This group has been engaged in adapting for ICONTEC use a number of

the COPANT proposal

? which were developed during the past two years.

However, there have been some polemic discussions concerning the

manner in which one of these electrical conduit proposals was treated

in order to cover both English and metric sizes.

To Ing* Enreque Lozano V. and the writer, both of us having been

delegates at the last COPANT "pipe and tube" seminar, this was

Santiago all over again. After our having explained the how and

why of solving the problem on an international basis, the situation

appeared to have been resolved*

Because Colombia has a big stake in the petroleum industry, coupled

with the fact that materials pertaining to this industry are not only

rigidly specif ied—mostly by ASTM in collaboration with API and ASME

but are recognized and used world-wide, it is essential that this subcommittee riujt make certain that any ICONTEC specification which they

write for these materials must duplicate every requirement of the ones

now in use. If they are not identical in requirements, then industry

cannot and will not use them. The significant reason here is that

human safety is involved and these materials are "code items*"

Having been the U* S. delegate to the 1963 and 1964 COPANT seminars

on tubular steel products, I found that many of the experiences gained

at those meetings were most helpful in pointing out to this subcommittee

the best policies to follow in order that the specifications which they

write will be compatible and useful.
21

7. 3. 4. 3 Wire and Wire Products Subcommittee C3.3

Inasmuch as the Testing Committee was having a meeting at the same

time as C3.3, it was decided to make this a joint affair.

The wire subcommittee was in the process of adapting the national

standard from another country for ICONTEC use, and had progressed

to the point where they were about to include in their proposal

some data on coiling and reeling diameters which they had obtained

from a foreign trade association.

The reference specifications carried a requirement for the "cast"

of the product, that is, the departure from straightness of a given length of wire which has been unreelfed or un-coil ed and

placed freely on the floor. This requirement was to be used in

the proposal on which the subcommittee was working. However, they

had not been warned that too small a diameter of coiling or reeling

could seriously affect the cast of the wire.

As a basic concept, one can give instructions as to how something

can be done; or, alternatively, state that the job is to be done

in such manner as to attain a stated result. In the former, the

instructor assumes the responsibility; in the latter the "producer"

carries the onus. Thus it should be obvious that one cannot do

both things, and this principle was about to be overlooked in

trying to specify both the reeling and the cast.

Actually, much of the data shown in the usual trade publications

are served up for consumer information and convenience, and in this

instance certainly does not constitute an item of specification.

In fact, many people run afoul of just these kinds of situations;

thus it delineates an area where much education is needed--and was

given to the subcommittee at this meeting.

On looking over some of the current efforts of the subcommittee,

it was apparent that extensive use was being made of "by previous

agreement" clauses. These are the "open-end" agreements which are

now studiously avoided in ASTM--because they are trouble-makers and

usually lead to a degrading of a specification. I explained these

dangers to the group and suggested that they adopt a policy against

these agreements.

8. Visit to Acerias Paz de Rio, Belencito

One of the first things I learned after my arrival at Bogota was

that I had been invited and arrangements had been made for me to

visit "Paz de Rio". So on April 28, with Mr. Fitch, AID/BOG, who

had arranged the transportation, we motored to Belencito with Dr.

Humberto Gall ego, who was my escort for the two-day visit.
22

Colombia" s only producer, the Paz de Rio steel mill, is located

about 170 miles northwest of Bogota at an elevation of 8400 ft.

The plant consists essentially of a 20 ft. diameter blast-furnace

that turns out some 650 tons per day of iron to feed the three

20-ton Thomas (basic Bessemer) furnaces and the one 20-ton electric

furnace for the production of special steels.

The product line, as shown for 1963, consisted of:

24.000 tons of rails and large shapes

65.000 tons of rounds and small shapes (this includes

concrete rre'inf orcing bars)

36.000 tons wire products

25.000 tons Black plate

25 ,

000

tons galvanized sheet

175,000

tons

The 1965 objective is aimed at achieving a 220,000 ton/year rate.

The iron ore is mined and prepared at the Paz de Rio site some 22

miles away; the coal is also mined in this area, and laundered at

Paz de Rio. These prepared ingredients are then transported to

Belencito by company-owned railroad.

Although some coke is purchased from small near-by producers, the

principal source is the battery of 43 15-ton ovens at Belencito

which not only produces most of the coke for the blast furnace but

also gives cause for the sizeable coke by-product plant.

The limestone sources are near Belencito, and one can hear the

conveyors 24 hours a day bringing this material down the mountainside and into the plant-side where it and the necessary dolomite

are calcined.

Both ingot break-down and rolling capabilities are presently rather

restrictive; the latter being accomplished by two rather old toohigh mills. Thus, while the flat products constitute a sizeable

portion of the total production, reinforcing bars and the large

wire production make these items of major import. In fact, there

were nine machines making barbed wire for fencing.

Steel consumption in Colombia has been projected to an annual rate

of 570,000 tons by 1970, and Paz de Rio has set 600,000 tons/year

as its capacity by that time. In the works now is an ore-sinter

plant at Paz de Rio, enlarged breakdown capacity to 5 ton ingots,

new ingot-soaking pits, a strip mill, enlarged wire mill, another

blast ’furnace and additional coking facilities.
- 23

Several new Davey-United Engineering mills are due for operation by

early 1967, thus there will be improved production of both hot and

cold plates. An electrolytic tin-plate mill is also on the way.

Paz de Rio is presently handicapped by having a high-phosphorus ore—

which is reflected in the final product. Additionally, the annealing

furnaces are oil-fired, thus adding sulphur pick-up difficulties.

At the comfortable employees club, Dr. Short joined us over an excellent dinner, and explained many factors concerning the growth

of the steel mill. He also commented on the fact that employment

of the more recent steel -making developments such as the oxygen

processes in basic oxygen furnaces and continuous casting were

under advisement by management.

The rehabilitation and enlargement of the laboratory facilities

were essential in order to have better control of plant processes

and product. In this, Dr. Short wanted me to meet with Hr. Fletcher

and laboratory staff to discuss new instrumentation for the chemical

laboratory and how to get the metallographic facilities effectively

operating.

In meeting with Mr. Fletcher and laboratory staff, I was told that

the plant laboratories were currently undergoing a refurbishing;

there is a fine research and development laboratory that has produced excellent results; the analytical chemistry laboratory is

quite effective; the mechanical testing

a

l abor atory is well equipped

with up-to-date equipment; and there is/ quite good metallographic

set-up

As to the latter, the instrumentation is there, but activity has

been at an extremely low level the past few years. Thus, one of

the reasons for my visit was to confer with the laboratory and

quality control personnel on the ways and means of getting the

metallographic work up to the necessary level of operation. Unfortunately, there is a lack of experience on which to build, and,

while there is an extensive plant library, there is but little pertaining to metallography.

I made a number of suggestions as to operation, and pointed out a number of sources from which study material could be obtained.

The analytical chemical group has been studying the instrumentation

for rapid analysis and, in discussions with local agents for such

equipment, seem to have arrived at some preferences. However, on

closer questioning I found that there was more than a bit of indecision as to just what products they wanted to analyze--and what

elements and in what amounts. Because of this, I offered the
24 -

suggestion that, with due consideration to the rather sizeable capital

investment involved, it might betbetter to send one of their men to

visit the U. S. and see these instruments in steel -mill use and discuss

instrumentation with NBS experts.

Financially, this company has operated profitably since mid-1957; the

curve rising sharply the past 2 years. In 1955 the invested capital

was about 1-1/4% by government, about 76% Banco de la Republica, and

the balance being private investment. Last year, this distribution

was still 1-1/4% by government but the bank was down to 17-1/4% and

private investment had the balance, 81-1/2%,.

Inasmuch as modular construction was the subject of one of the

seminars, a most pleasant surprise was the employee housing at

Belencito. Using a few different modular designs and alternating

bricks for blocks with different painting decors, these units were

devoid of the "row-house" appearance; in fact, they were most

attractive. . , 9. Other Seminars

9.1 Cement and Concrete Seminar - B. E. Foster

ICONTECT has an active Committee on Cement (C4.1) which has

initiated the work in obtaining Colombian standards for that product.

Thus far the major effort has been concerned with specifications and

test methods for cement*

Since many individuals in the construction industry were concerned

with both concrete and with modular construction, the seminar portions

of these programs were divided between Dr. Foster and Mr. Mahaffey,

each for a 2-hour period in the general discussions at INCOLDA.

Having been active in the ASTM committees on cement, and also in

ISO and COPANT, Dr. Foster was able to present the effects of

standards on the cement industry and evaluate these in relation

to such standards for Colombia.

The work with the ICONTEC cement committee was primarily devoted

to orientation with the work now going on in COPANT with respect

to proposals on the chemistry of cement and for "round-robin";

inter-country comparison of the several existing methods of cement

testing so as to arrive at the best procedure for COPANT adoption.

ICONTEC committee C4.2 is concerned with the specifications of

"stony aggregate" materials and has representatives from the

CAMACOL, engineering groups, and several universities.

Inasmuch as cement and cement-aggregates are but the basic ingredients

of concrete, it was deemed necessary that ICONTEC should have a working

committee covering this end product. As a consequence, a call was

issued to all interested parties and the organization meeting was

held for this new committee of ICONTEC.
25

Dr. Foster also spent a half-day session with the Engineering

Faculty members of the University in a question/ answer program

on the technical aspects of cement and concrete.

9.2 Modular Construction Seminar - C. T. Mahaffey

Mr. Mahaffey discussed Standards and Codes, a suggested Building

Code System, and Modular Construction Principles and Practices

in the morning seminar sessions.

Lacking any uniformity in the sizes of bricks, cement blocks,

and prefabricated windows and doors, the building construction

industry in Colombia (as in most of Latin America) is confronted

with the complexities and expense of cut-and-try means of construction. This is a severe handicap, particularly affecting the

low-cost housing developments under the Instituto de Credito

Territorial; there being some 12,000 units involved.

In the AID-sponsored Kennedy City development, a new scheme of

"self-help" for construction is being used to keep down the cost

of construction. Some 1000 units are scheduled to be built following the modular single design that has but four sizes of new related

blocks based on a 10 cm size (4 inch in U.S.). Also, modular sizes

have been adopted for window frames, concrete floor joists, door

lintels, and circular-stair treads —all made of precast reinforced

concrete. The major problem in this area is the supply of these

new sizes because present supply consists of many sizes from small

producers. The solution may lie in placing very large orders by

the housing developers so as to warrant changeover to the new

modular sizes.

Another problem with this modular construction is that many

architects feel that such methods are so restrictive that only

"row-houses" can be designed. Consequently, there is need for

promotional activity in this area.

In working with the ICONTEC building committees, the greatest

interest was in the area of building codes, and after detailed

discussions it was the consensus that a national code similar to

the New York State Code, with code interpretation and materials

evaluation within ICONTEC framework would probably be the most

satisfactory solution for Colombia. A special meeting was held

with the Chamber of Construction, CAMACOL, with a lively question

and answer session on the subject.

Mr. Mahaffey made several inspection trips to the housing developments in Bogota, and visited the University of Valle, located at
26

Cali, about 150 miles west of Bogota* This University has an excellent reputation for its work in the building field, attributable

mostly to its School of Architecture and Institute of Construction.

While there, Mr. Mahaffey lectured to the faculty and students, and

also spoke at a special meeting of area building materials manufacturers, stressing modular construction and building codes.

9.3 Fertilizer Seminar - J. R. Adams

With other seminars using the INCOLDA facilities each morning, the

Fertilizer and Pesticide Seminars were held there in the afternoons.

Also, because so many of the participants were active in both fields

in Colombia, these seminar meetings were held as joint sessions with

Mrs. Busbey and Dr. Adams sharing the leadership.

In the sessions on fertilizers there was keen interest in every

phase of U. S. manufacturing procedures and the sampling procedures

and analytical methods in use. As to the latter, the standard

reference in Colombia is the U. S. publication "Official Methods

of Analysis of Official Agricultural Chemists." Much of the discussion was directed toward the rules and regulations governing

the distribution and sale of fertilizers and for quality control.

This discussion is most timely for the simple reason that the industry is well regulated in the U. S., whereas there are no regulations in Colombia, as yet*

This particular problem is of much concern to ICONTEC Committee C7.1,

and this group can be of great service to the country by fostering

good regulations. Standard nomenclature for fertilizers is another

problem facing the ICONTEC committee.

Industry representatives were anxious to have Dr. Adams visit some

of the fertilizer plants and to discuss standards and regulations.

Those which he visited included the Caja de Credito Agrario, a mixing plant in Bogota; the Industrial Col ombiana de Fertil izantes

S. A. in Barrancabermej a; and Albonas Colombianos in Cartagena;

both of the latter being manufacturing plants. Because of activities in fertilizer analysis, Dr. Adams visited IIT and discussed

this work with Dr. Young, Director, and his staff.

9.4 Pesticide Seminar - Ruth L. Busbey

As previously mentioned (9.3) Mrs* Busbey and Dr. Adams alternated

as leaders of the combined pesticide-fertil izer seminar sessions

held at INCOLDA.

Particular interest in matters concerning the regulations pertaining to pesticides was shown—especially because a proposed control
27 -

decree, in which the ICONTEC committee played a major role in

drafting, was expected to be issued for one of the Departments

(States), Meta, and serve as the basis for national control. Mrs.

Busbey discussed various control measures effective in the U. S.,

both federal and state, and had copies of many of these regulatory

measures for the ICONTEC Library.

The Pesticide Committee (C7.2) of ICONTEC holds Technical Secretariat for Pesticides for COPANT, and has prepared one COPANT

proposal on Definitions, Classification, and Nomenclature which

has been circulated to member countries for comment* Mrs. Busbey

was able to discuss this document in detail, since ASA had requested D/ Agricul ture comments on the proposal and these had come

to Mrs. Busbey via these channels.

Due to the fact that the use of pesticides has a direct bearing

on health, the standards, codes, regulations, etc., are the concern of many organizations such as the Food and Agriculture

Organization of the U...N, (FAO) , and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Methods of Analysis were of prime concern, and Mrs. Busbey met

with this ICONTEC committee to discuss details. She also visited

IIT to discuss these matters with Dr. Young and his staff. She

advised them that analytical reference standards are available in

the U. S.

Additional visits were made to Productos Fitosanitanias de Colombia,

S. A. (PROFICOL) and Institute Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA) at

which Mrs. Busbey discussed technical and regulatory measures.

9.5 Textiles Seminar - H. F. Schiefer

The textiles industry in Colombia is growing rapidly and has

need for standardization. Although there had been some organization among producers, no specifications had been discussed as yet.

ICONTEC was now taking the initial step in this activity also.

Through the combined efforts of AID, ICONTEC, INCOLDA, and personal

contacts by Dr. Schiefer, a meeting of textile people was called

in Medellin with that chapter of INCOLDA acting as host.

ICONTEC staff opened the session, and then Dr. Schiefer discussed

textile standardization activities in other L . A. countries, COPANT,

ISO, and in the U. S. The attendees were most interested and decided to form a textile committee of ICONTEC. As a measure of

interest, there were 14 attendees representing 10 companies when

the sessions convened, but when the sessions adjourned, 10 more

members representing five additional interests had been added.
28

Under Dr. Schiefer* s guidance. Committee C15 on Textiles was formed

with 4 subcommittees including C15.1, Fibers; C15.2, Yarns; C15.3,

Fabrics; and 15.4, Color Fastness. Some 40 COPANT and ISO documents

were reviewed by the new committee.

Attendance by accredited delegates at the ISO/TC 38, Textiles meeting

in London, June 1965, and the next COPANT Textiles Seminar (Sept-Oct,

Lima) was discussed.

The attainment of a new ICONTEC committee having excellent industry

support and highly competent personnel, represented an achievement

far beyond the hopes of the seminar sponsors.

9.6 Food Seminar - F. P. Griffiths

At present there are some sanitary codes, food regulations, and

powers of inspection established in Colombia and administered by the

National Institute of Health. However, due to shortage of funds and

competent inspectors, efforts thus far have been limited to the analysis

of drugs, quality of milk and water, and a few items of food adulteration.

During the sessions, all phases of food standards and regulations were

discussed by Dr. Griffiths, and several important factors were brought

forth which may serve as guides for ICONTEC CIO, Foods, activities.

Effort needs to be expanded in establishing adequate quality standards

for the raw materials for canning. For example, at present no standard

as to color and ripeness of fresh tomatoes is followed so that the

producers of tomato juice and catsup need to add color dye to the

product to obtain uniformity of appearance to the customer. Provisions must also be made to train competent food inspectors for both

industry and government.

The two largest canning companies in Colombia are US-descended, both

being very active in canners organizations and standards in the U.S.

Food processing is one of the prime activities of IIT, but it has yet

to attain adequate levels of operation because of lack of facilities

to complete its pilot plant. However, the Institute was a natural

collaborator in seminar activities.

To demonstrate the nature of one kind of self-regulation by U. S.

canners trade organizations, Dr. Griffiths and IIT collaborated in

a "cutting;" that is, to have an independent agency obtain several

cans of goods of different producers of a particular material from

stores and warehouses, to identify each can by code-mark when removing

the label, advising each producer of only his code mark; then opening
29 -

the cans for examination as to color, consistency, flavor, taste,

defects, etc. In addition, other items such as drained-weight

texture, etc., may be evaluated.

The main point of the demonstration was that the canned goods

producers in Colombia might best combine efforts and form trade

groups which, in collaboration with ICONTEC, could arrive at

voluntary standardization instead of waiting for the government

to take rigid action through its health agency.

Colombia has excellent potential for developing a canning industry

that could have a large export volume. Tropical fruits for salad,

avocado puree, papaya puree and chunks, mangoes, lulo or naranjilla

jliice, pineapple, cashew nuts could be considered for canned or frozen

production along with frozen fish products. Dr. Griffiths had a special meeting with AID, IIT, UN and ICONTEC personnel on the

sub j ect

There is a need for development of adequate shipping containers

for fresh fruit and vegetables because much damage is encountered

by raw materials at present, this again lowering the quality of

canned goods.

Standards for juices and jams are currently under discussion in

COPANT, and a FAO/WHO meeting scheduled for Europe this summer will

be of interest to Colombia food standardization activities.

9.6.1 Alcoholic Beverages

Although alcoholoic beverages was not a subject matter in this

seminar series, attention should be called to the fact that last

year ICONTEC did assume the task of being host to the first COPANT

standards seminar on this subject. That seminar was highly successful, having delegates from many L. A. countries whose combined

efforts resulted in a series of test method proposals for alcoholic

beverages. A second seminar on these products is contemplated for

the coming year's activities.

9.7 Plastics Seminar - G. M. Kline

The plastics industry in Colombia is growing rapidly and, in addition, two new resin plants are being constructed by U. S. interests.

The industry has an active trade association, Acopl ast icos , which

has 70 member companies.

IIT is in the process of establishing a plastics laboratory to serve

industry; it being expected that a UN expert on plastics will devote

about a year as an advisor to IIT in the installation of the laboratory and organization of the work program.
30 -

ICONTEC does not have a plastics committee, thus a major objective

of the seminar was to obtain a consensus from industry concerning

formation of such a committee,.

During the first week of this seminar, Dr. Kline outlined standards

activities in plastics in the U. S. , purpose and organization with

full collaboration of SPI and ASTM at the national level, and ISO,

IEC, etc. at the international level. The current activities of

the 600 member ASTM Committee D-20 on PI astics detail ed through

ASTM and ASA to IS0/TC61. Forty ISO standards have already been

published with another 50 in process by committees,

ICONTEC should consider a plastics committee in the immediate future

which would probably be the first in L. A, This action could provide

the necessary impetus to initiate plastics work in COPANT. Discussions

at special meetings with Acroplastics personnel and with IIT staff resulted in favor of initiating standards work in ICONTEC,

Acroplastics arranged for Dr, Kline to visit nine of their membercompanies to observe operations and discuss standards.

The plastics industry in Colombia is currently operating under difficulties because of the imports situation. This has caused the industry to resort to use of reground scrap and also to alter compounding formulations in order to use materials made in Colombia, both of

these factors resulting in lower quality products.

Recommendations were made that ICONTEC proceed with organization of

a plastics committee which would start with subcommittees on Nomenclature, Specimen Preparation and Conditioning, Testing Methods, and

Specifications, It would also be advantageous to have the assistance

of a qualified expert in organizing this committee and getting it

started on a good program.

9.8 Hides and Leather Seminar - J. R. Kanagy*

Since there was no ICONTEC committee identified with hides and leather,

Dr. Kanagy spent the first few sessions of the seminar in describing

the standards activities in the U. S. by the collaboration between

ALCA-ASTM, The Dept/ Agricul ture , Dept/Commerce, and Federal specifications writing. Particular emphasis was given to such activities in

Latin America whereby COPANT already has seven standards submitted

for approval. Copies of the Spanish translations of these standards

were made available for study.

Ref. NBS Report 8903
31 -

Quality control and its relationship to standards was an important

item of seminar discussions. This is more essential because of

ALALC (LAFTA) attitude requiring standards for the determination of

quality in trade among the Latin American countries.

As a result of the seminar and meetings, a 3-man committee was

appointed to work with ICONTEC to form a Hides and Leather Committee.

10.

Standards Library

The second phase of AID assistance to ICONTEC consists of building up

an adequate library of national and international standards.

It was agreed that U. S. reference standards would include specifications of ASTM, ASA, SAE, ACI, API, NEMA, Dept Commerce Commodity and

SPRs, and U. S. Federal (GSA) . International standards would include

ISO and IEC recommendations. AID/Bogota will make funds available

for NBS to order these documents for shipment to Bogota.

11.

Training Trip - Javier Henao L.

As the third phase of the AID assistance program for ICONTEC, a series

of visits by Dr. Henao in the U. S. was suggested and arrangements were

made for Dr. Henao to attend the Annual Meeting of ASTM as well as visits to ASTM HQ, ASA HQ, NEMA, NBS, Department of State, and CU.

At the ASTM meeting week, Dr. Henao got first-hand insight as to how

voluntary standardization on the consensus principle is working in

the U. S. He participated in meetings of committees on carbon and

alloy steels, steel tubing, stainless steels, materials testing, and

cement

After his return to Bogota, Dr. Henao made a series of proposals for

the improved operation of ICONTEC, such as to be closely parallel to

what he had learned of ASTM during his visits. He submitted these

to the writer for comments and changes, and he has recently advised

that these suggestions to revise regulations and procedures have been

approved by the ICONTEC Board of Directors. This should greatly

facilitate the operation of ICONTEC and its committees, and reflect

some of the benefits resulting from Dr. Henao' s visit to the USA.

12.

Summary

During this series of nine seminar sessions, each of the seminar

leaders devoted approximately half of his time in discussing the

broad aspects of voluntary standardization on the consensus principle,

as well as both the technical and economic significance of these

standards in assisting development of Colombia. These were the

primary considerations of the management personnel constituting the

major portion of the seminar attendees.
32

Another large segment of effort by the seminar leaders was devoted

to actual participation in the meetings of ICONTEC committees wherein they could add the latest developments in specification procedures

and drafting.

As the direct result of the seminar meetings, new committees were

formed, or at least initiated, in the areas of Concrete, Textiles,

Plastics, and Hides and Leather.

Just how successful these seminars have been is something which is

impossible to evaluate at present. In fact, only time can tell what

increased support ICONTEC gets from industry and how much industry

is helped by enlarged and more competent operation of the ICONTEC

committees now organized; or the assistance given other industries

by the new committees.

Good standards, codes, etc., from ICONTEC, as well as its effective

international standards participation, will be the measure of these

seminars

Keeping in mind the fact that the participation in these seminars

by U. S. experts has much of a voluntary element involved, this

means, in essence, that they must believe in this effort, because

to do so they must spend many hours in preparation, and spend many

more hours in "catching up" after their return. Evaluated in terms

of their post facto feelings of accomplishment, their unanimous

opinion would rate these seminars as extremely worthwhile.

13. Recommendations

This seminar series was conducted despttdc a number of handicaps

such as late starting, conflicts with otherfimeetings , availability

of personnel, etc.; thus some of the areas where deficiencies

appeared were, under the circumstances, quite unavoidable. Because of this, the following recommendations should be considered

in this light:

1. The technical assistance program for FY 66 should

be continued as originally planned and reported in

NBS 8564B--included here for ready reference:
33

"Budget Proposals for Assistance to

Instituto Colombiano de Normas Technicas (ICONTEC)

Fiscal Year 65

a. Procurement of Standards Reference Library

Standards from American Stds Assn

Standards from ASTM

Standards from Society Automotive Engrs

Federal, Military, Commercial, Food and

Drug Adm. , Specs, of U. S. Government

in collaboration with - Selected specifications from such as American Waterworks Assn., American

Petroleum Inst., American Concrete

Inst*, Society of Plastics Ind. , International Standards Organization, etc.

Total

$ 1,350

250

500

600

1,800

$ 4,500

b. Technical assistance** by U. S. Experts,

Technical experts from National Bureau

of Standards or other U.S. Gov't Agencies,

in specialized fields such as Iron and

Steel, Non-ferrous Metals, Cement, Concrete

and Building Materials, Agricultural Chemistry,

Textiles, Plastics, etc. These experts in

estimated 6 categories to spend, on request, an estimated total of eight 3-week

trips to Bogota. $ 7,000*

*Note: This is predicated on present policy

that NBS and other agencies will "loan" these

experts, including salaries, but that travel

costs and per diem will be paid by AID (or other)

Co Visit of ICONTEC Engineer to U.S. for orientation and standards training, including National

Metals Stds. committee meeting and ASTM meetings.

Visits to ASTM Hq and ASA Hq, Consumers^ Research

(NY), NBS (Washington, D. C.)

Estimated 6 weeks (1 wk Mexico, 5 wks U.S.) $ 1,500

d. Instrumentation (Facilities) for Standards

reproduction $ 2,000

Total FY 65 $15,000
- 34 -

Fiscal Year 66

a. As per item a, above (FY 65) $ 3,000

b. As per item b, above 7,000

c. As per item c, above for 2 trainees 3,000

d. As per item d, above 2,000

Total $15 , 000

e. Instrumentation and Equipment for Testing

Materials for compliance with standards

(I.I.T. - Testing Institute) $10,000

Total FY 66 $25,000

In discussions with AID officials, it was agreed that the

above would be a "phase-out" program with decreased

assistance 'for each of the succeeding 3 years, then ending.

By increased effort in missionary work on business executives, ICONTEC should then be self-supporting.

AID money for travel can only be used for international

travel, thus for any side-trips within Colombia in

connection with ICONTEC, assistance would have to come

from other sources.

It is intended that AID will arrange finances so that the

purchase of standards, packing, shipping, etc., as well as trip expense for NBS personnel will be chargeable in

Washington.” (End of Reference)

** It may be noted that, under Item beof the original proposal, the

technical program which was actually scheduled and carried out was

that which was agreed upon by AID and ICONTEC as being MOST BENEFICIAL FOR THIS YEAR—the subject of this report. For this next year,

a similar seminar program should IMMEDIATELY be agreed upon and

initiated in order to avoid many of the difficulties encountered

this year.

As to the new program, it is recommended that ICONTEC, in formulating this suggested list of seminar topics for AID approval

give primary consideration to the following:

1. Seminars for the newly-formed ICONTEC committees;

Concrete, Modular Construction, Textiles, Plastics, etc.

2. Both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, due to increased

national and international need.

3. The inclusion of Weights and Measures training as part

of the seminar program.
35

2. AID itself, and through its contacts, should actively

support the new ICONTEC committees on concrete, textiles,

plastics, and hides and leather.

3. In collaboration with ICONTEC, set up a publicity campaign to not only create general awareness of standardization and its benefits, but to particularly publicize

such events as these seminars.

13.11 Future seminar activities:

1. The seminar leaders should (a) be provided, at least two

(2) months prior to seminar date, with copies of the

agenda of pertinent ICONTEC committees, and (b) copies

of standards proposals in process together with any

questions on these,

2. Leaders should be advised as to specific technical

information and data that may be needed.

3. Leaders should be provided with lists of questions which

will probably arise. Seminar registrants should be re- quested to send in questions in advance of meetings.

4. Leaders should be advised of any laws, codes, decrees,

etc., affecting standards in their discipline, as well

as current activity under these regulations.

5. Any lecture engagements for the seminar leaders should

be firmly pre-arranged and the leader so advised as to

time, place, organization, subject, etc.

13.2 Recognizing the industry strength of the camaras, ICONTEC

should make special effort to collaborate with them--and

probably gain more support by doing so.

13.3 Through its joint committee with Government Ministries,

ICONTEC must -strive for closer cooperation in:

(a) Building Codes

(b) Food Laws, etc.

(c) Fertilizer and Pesticide Control

(d) Weights and Measures Laws
36

By working directly with the ICONTEC committees, the seminar

leaders could bring to the members the beneficial experiences of

many years of standards participation, at both the national and

international levels.

Materials specifications are no longer mere technical documents,

they are now the mark of the quality of goods in the world's

market, and, unless most carefully supervised, can easily become subject to commercial pressures.

"COMMERCE AMONG NATIONS SHOULD BE FAIR AND EQUITABLE" - Franklin*

14. Acknowledgments

Primary recognition should be given the personnel (past and present)

of AID/Bogota for having the foresight and ability to sponsor standards

activities in Colombia as a significant contribution to the technical

and economic advancement of that country.

The cooperation between AID/Bogota and ICONTEC in carrying out these

NBS-ICONTEC planned seminars marks a new era in technical assistance.

INCOLDA cannot be praised too highly for granting the use of its

excellent meeting facilities in Bogota and Medell in--and certainly

we from the U. S. have very particular acknowledgments for the

excellent assistance rendered by the senora in simul -translation

and general assistance.

One-third of this seminar series was conducted by members of the

Department of Agriculture staff who were "loaned" to the program

through the good offices of Dr. Drostoff, Chief, International

Relations and Dr. George W. Irving, Administrator, Agriculture

Research Service. We are most grateful for this excellent cooperation.

* This quotation is carved above the "Secretary's Entrance" to

the Department of Commerce Building, Washington, D. C.
37

PART II . Weights and Measures Activities, Colombia

and Venezuela

15. Introduction

Somewhat over three years ago it was decided that one of the essential

assistance programs for Latin America was the establishment and use

of an effective Weights and Measures System in each of the Latin

American countries. The use of such a system is not only essential

to the technological and economic development within the country, but

it is a necessity in international trade relations.

Although most of these countries had been signatories to the metric

convention for several scores of years but few have made even initial

attempts to establish such systems; only Mexico having thus far

carried such a program through to completion. Thus, to initiate

this program, through arrangements between OTS, D/Commerce and

AID/Washington the latter granted an appropriation and requested

the NBS to prepare a set of standards for mass, length, and volume

for use in Latin America to demonstrate the operation of such standards

and to exemplify a weights and measures system.

The Office of Weights and Measures of NBS proceeded to obtain these

standards and, in doing so, they not only re-designed the shape of

the mass standards in order to make them more usable but they had

the Metallurgy Division of NBS develop a very special kind of

stainless alloy that had the same mass as the previously used brass--

and which could withstand an appreciable amount of handling without

damage. Furthermore, there would be no deterioration of this material

with time. With the completion of the fabrication of these standards,

both time and funds had been exhausted with still no decision as to the

best manner in which to carry on such a demonstration . in Latin America.

Also, there was yet the problem of financing the calibration of the

standards as well as the costs of demonstration.

At the inception of this program, it was contemplated that this demonstration would take the form of a travelling exhibit which would visit

each of the L. A. capitals desiring such a demonstration. However,

further consideration of transportation difficulties, costs of display

facilities, personnel availability, etc., together with indifferent

response to several airgrams to missions in an effort to seek participation and financial support, negated the original demonstration plan.

Of particular interest among the replies from the missions was the

ICONTEC (Colombian Standards Institute) offer of facilities and personnel (in collaboration with the National University) to locate the

W&M Laboratory in space to be provided by the University to be used

as a permanent demonstration and training center for the use of all

the L. A. countries.
38

During early 1965, various efforts were made to secure funding

for the completion of this work and finally in April of 1965,

Mr. T. Markow, AID/Washington was able to advise NBS to proceed

with the calibrations of the standards and make plans for the

demonstrations which, by this time had been re-evaluated in terms

of further information from Colombia as well as comparable invitations from Panama and ICAITI (Guatemala, Institute for Central

American Common Market nations) . /:

After evaluating the several possibilities that had been presented,

the decision was to the effect that, granted adequate facilities

were available and suitable arrangements could be made for competent

instructor personnel, it would be to the best advantage of all to

accept the Colombian invitation and set up the AID- sponsored

Weights and Measures demonstration and training center at the

National University, making it available to all Latin American

countries

As further developments at this time, Dr. Patricio Rubianes U.

head of the newly formed Weights and Measures Agency, Ministry of

Commerce and Banking, Ecuador visited the Bureau ir> Washington

and when informed of the Bogota plans, advised that Ecuador would

certainly avail itself of the Weights and Measures facility, if

established in Bogota. Also, the Division of Metrology, Ministry

of Development, Venezuela, had expressed official interest in the

training center and in having NBS personnel visit the Division.

(S ee 17.;l)IiI) . Venezuela was advised by AID/ Washington that the

writer would be conducting a seminar in Bogota, Colombia, and

could be available to stopover in Caracas on his return trip

early in May to discuss these matters.

16. Bogota, Colombia

16.1 National University of Bogota

Dr. Henao, Executive Director of ICONTEC, Mr. George Fitch, Industry

Officer, AID/Bogota, and Mr. Wyman visited Dr. A. Sandino Pardo,

Dean, Faculty of Engineering and his staff at the National University,

to inspect the facilities and discuss operation of the proposed

Weights and Measures Center at the University.

Review of space for the new Weights and Measures Center included the

choice of any one of four 30 x 50 ft laboratories, and one 30 x 30 ft

inside laboratory--all in the Engineering Physics Building. This

space was compared with a desired lay-out which had been prepared by

Mr. Stabler of the NBS Office of Weights and Measures for evaluation

of soundness of floors and walls, vibration sources, ameanability for

air conditioning, water and electrical services, etc. Inspection of
- 39

the laboratory space and blueprints of the buildings, the installation of necessary facilities and the construction of balance benches,

the length-standard 20-ft bench, balance-room, and the concrete base

elements were discussed and found to present no problems.

As to personnel, it was assured that these would all be college level

and very competent.

Resulting from the above visit, the plans and recommendations were

immediately dispatched to the NBS. After further discussions and

correspondence with Mr. Wollin of NBS-Washington , the smaller

interior lab space was deemed suitable and the formal acceptance

by AID was cabled to AID/Bogota in time for Mr. Powell, Director

of AID/Bogota, to make the formal announcement at the opening

session of the Seminar Program.

The following week, after receiving more detailed information from

Washington, another visit was^gnac^ to the University. These details

were thoroughly discussed and /agreed to immediately begin the necessary construction for the laboratory with completion expected by

mid-June 1965.

During these conversations, it was also revealed that if this

facility were to be placed permanently at the University, they would

provide specially designed space in the new building to be erected

soon instead of keeping it housed in a rebuilt lab space.

After these visits and the concluding of arrangements, I could but

conclude that it is rare in a lifetime that one can be associated

with such a gracious, generous, and cooperative group of people as that with which I worked while at the University.

16.2 Ministry Visit

In order to achieve the proper liaison and cooperation between

ICONTEC and the GOC, there is a joint committee composed of ICONTEC

and Government -minis try representatives that has jurisdiction in this

area. Mr. Fitch and I were invited to meet with this group to discuss the Weights and Measures program and suggest necessary actions.

Colombia has a law under which a W&M system can be established but

it does not have the specific legislation. I explained the necessity

of such enactment and detailed how such a system is organized and how

it should operate. Copies of several Weights and Measures Handbooks

and a copy of the model law (in Spanish) were supplied for information.
40

In discussing the W&M demonstration and training, I pointed out

that a most important point of the training was that of field inspection, and lacking any laws under which to operate, those engaged

in this work might encounter difficulties with shop-keepers, etc.

Assurance was given that adequate arrangements would be made to prevent any such difficulties since there would be (as previously agreed

upon) prospective government field-inspectors among the trainees.

The consensus of this committee was that full support would be given

to the W&M program and that action would be initiated to effectuate

the W&M program for the Government.

16.3 Final Arrangements

As of the time of my departure from Bogota in early May, it was

planned that the instrumentation and calibrated prototype standards

would be shipped by air freight in mid-June to Bogota, to be transported directly to the laboratory space at the University under the

immediate supervision of Mr. Stabler, NBS/Washington . Messrs. Stabler

and Wollin were scheduled to arrive in Bogota about June 30 to initiate

the program, meet with representatives from Colombia, Venezuela, and

Ecuador for the training program, and assist in setting up and testing

of laboratory instrumentation.

With the completion of the above arrangements, I left Bogota with a planned stopover in Caracas at the invitation of the GOV for a visit

to their Metrology Division.

16.4 Current Status

As of this writing, the W&M program in Bogota has been a success;

the laboratory and its facilities are excellent; and the training program has been successful. (Refer NBS Report 8970 by Messrs. Wollin

and Stabler)

Mr. Wollin stopped over in Panama on this return, at the request of

the GOP, to discuss Weights and Measures. That country, too, is

interested in initiating such a program (Refer NBS Report 8976 by

Mr. Wollin).

In July 1965, Ing. Cabrenzo, Director of INANTIC (Stds Institute of

Peru) visited NBS-Washington and indicated his interest in initiating

a W&M program in Peru. He noted that he would initiate a formal request for assistance.
- 41

17. Visit to Caracas, Venezuela (May 9-12, 1965)

17.1 Background

In the exchange of messages between AID/Washington and the AID Missions

in Latin America regarding interest and participation in the Weights

and Measures Center, the Ministry of Development, GOV, requested a meeting with an NBS expert on such matters, AID/Washington advised

AID/Caracas that Mr, Wyman would be in Bogota and might return via

Caracas, if specifically requested, for a survey of facilities and

preliminary discussions prior to the visit of a metrology expert

from NBS. The request from AID/Caracas was received by AID/Washington

and approved for Mr, Wyman's stopoff in Caracas.

17.2 Orientation

Mr. Foster Knight, Industry Officer, AID/Caracas, explained the

local situation, particularly with respect to the new weights and

measures law in effect in Venezuela, and that the Division of

Metrology, Directorate of Commerce, Ministry of Development, was

charged with the responsibility of establishing and administering

the W&M program for all the country.

Meeting was held with Dr. Ramon de Colubi, Chief, Division of

Metrology, and Ing. Gustavo Briceno, his assistant and the one who

is expected to be in charge of the W&M program (Legal Metrology)

The description of the Metrology Division and its activities by these

two gentlemen was most informative since we at NBS were not aware

that this very effective and excellent organization had been abuilding during the past 3-1/2 - 4 years.

Of greatest importance at present is the problem of establishing

and implementing a weights and measures program for the country; a law to this effect having been passed by the Venezuelan Gongress in

December 1964; becoming effective about six weeks prior to Mr. Wyman's

visit. A brief outline of weights and measures activities in the

U. S. was given along with a copy of the "Model Law" (in Spanish)

such as was used to establish W&M in Puerto Rico--and with which

they were familiar. Copies of other W&M Handbooks were presented

as reference material

Inquiry as to training of personnel in Puerto Rico for W&M administration was discussed but Mr. Wyman was able to inform them that such

training would be available about July 1st in the new Weights and

Measures Center in Bogota.
42 -

17.3 Metrology Division (Venezuela)

This organization was authorized about 7 years ago but only during

the past 3-1/2 years has it actually been taking form and building

up to the degree of excellence it has presently attained.

The Division has been set up primarily on metrology including mass,

volume, and length laboratories. Other activities have had to be

included, thus one section is concerned with the calibration of

thermometers, another testing gas meters, another checking watthour meters, while another is concerned with testing weights,

volumepc, etc., in packaging.

The Division currently represents an investment of about $500,000

in equipment and instrumentation including certified prototypes

from the International Bureau of Sevres, France.

The ultimate plan is to have the Division divided into three

activity groups as follows:

I. Scientific Metrology

II. Legal Metrology (Weights and Measures)

III. Industrial Assistance

Group I may now be considered to be well organized and equipped.

However, and possibly affecting Group II, the limiting balance

capacity is now 30 kg; hence, it would seem that this might well

be increased to somewhat near 1000 kg such as represented by the

2500 lb Russell Balance which is used in the U. S. for W&M work

and which will be demonstrated in Bogota.

Group III of the above list represents an area where the Division

will need to provide many kinds of measurements services to the

developing industrial area until such time as these new industries

are financially and technically capable of their own precision

measurements, requirements. Certainly with the excellent instrumentation, prototype standards, and well-trained personnel at

the Division of Metrology, Venezuelan industry does have an outstanding national resource in this group.

Group II will require passage of a weights and measures law such as adopted by the several states in the U. S. and Puerto Rico in addition to training personnel and establishing field stations. The

various details of these latter activities in the U. S. were discussed with Drs. de Colubi and Briceno. Equipment for field stations
43

has been obtained and the current plan is to initially locate these

stations in five centrally located areas throughout the country.

The field inspectors will operate out of these stations.

The Weights and Measures demonstration and training center to be

established in Bogota is most opportune for Venezuela. The Division plans to send two or more trainees to Bogota for instruction

in all phases of W&M operation, inspection, etc., then to return

to the Division to (1) initiate the training of additional personnel,

and (2) initiate field inspection.
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