Isolationism and international standardization

This paper reviews the philosophy and future of standardization of electrical insulating materials within the International Electrotechnical Commission and in particular Technical Committee 15, as well as the role that American industry will be expected to play within this group in order to maintain a position of effectiveness in the world market for these products. Using a typical case as a teaching device, this paper draws attention to the dangers of resting on the fact that while many important insulating materials were pioneered in this country by means of hard work and effective marketing and have become as a result the standard of the world, they are now subject to a laboratory-type scrutiny that may threaten their commercial scope through what amounts to misguided and quasi-unilateral objectivity. Re-evaluation of our position with respect to involvement in international standardization activity is suggested as a necessary corrective action.