General Committee Information
Committee D32 was chartered in 1975 when a need for the standardization of catalyst test methods was realized by representatives of both United States and foreign chemical and petroleum companies, the National Bureau of Standards (now designated as the National Institute for Standards and Testing or N.I.S.T.) and several academic laboratories. Committee D32 is currently composed of eleven sponsoring subcommittees, five technical subcommittees that develop standards with support from several administrative subcommittees. Guidance for the Committee is provided by its Executive Subcommittee. Members include catalyst producers, users and individuals with a general academic interest in catalysts. Meetings are generally held semi-annually during ASTM Committee weeks. However, it has become a typical D32 practice to conduct independent meetings in locations conducive to developing contacts and networking with others in the technical community. Many of our members are active in other professional organizations related to catalysts and share highlights of D32 activities to expand our role in the catalyst community.

D32 technical committees develop different types of standards to meet the needs of the industries they represent. Primary D32 focus has been on heterogeneous catalysis including both catalyst raw materials as well as finished catalyst systems. Recently, the interests of the Committee have broadened to include other areas such as emission control catalysts for both automobile and stationary sources, homogeneous catalysts, and enzyme catalysts. The Committee presently has 38 standards and proactively endeavors to identify additional methods, specifications, practices and guides which will support the catalyst community.

Members of D32 are proactively looking for new participants, new ideas and new areas for test standardization. There is no fee to attend our meetings and ASTM membership is not required for attendance. However, if you would like to become a member of ASTM and join the D32 activity, please complete an ASTM membership application and submit it with the required administrative fee. Membership entitles you to receive a free volume of the Book of Standards, ASTM's monthly magazine "Standardization News", reduced prices on publications and membership on any number of Technical Committees. Whether your interests are in our traditional areas or in one or more new areas, opportunities exist for your active participation with D32. Comments or general inquiries regarding D32 activities are always welcome and can be directed to any Committee member or to the D32 Staff Manager.

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