INDIANAPOLIS—A representative from the Association for Rubber Products Manufacturers chaired and took part in various committees regarding rubber hose standards, held in October in Italy.
Richard Batzer, hose technical coordinator for the association, participated in International Standard Association discusses in Riccione, Italy, as the representative for U.S. hose manufacturers and the ARPM.
During the meetings, delegates from Germany, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, France, China, India and South Africa worked together to scrutinize existing hose standards.
“These committees boil down to realistically trying to protect the interests of manufacturing organizations throughout the world,” Batzer said. “We attempt to ensure that standards are fair and universally accepted so as to not block companies from competing internationally.”
The ARPM carries the responsibility for all U.S.-based hose manufacturers, regardless of whether or not they are members, according to ARPM Executive Director Troy Nix. It is ARPM's responsibility to ensure that modifications to existing hose and belt standards or the creation of new ones do not negatively impact U.S. companies, he said.
Batzer is currently one of two ARPM Technical Coordinators and has been involved with the standards technical committee since 1998.