After more than a two-year absence, the United States once again has a vote in pipe rehabilitation standards established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

In June, David Kozman, applications engineer at HammerHead Trenchless, was appointed as a technical expert representing the United States in ISO Technical Committee 138 Subcommittee 8 (TC138/SC8) on Rehabilitation of Pipeline Systems. Kozman joins Patrick Vibien, head of ANSI Technical Advisory Committee to ISO TC138 and technical director of the Plastic Pipe Institute (PPI), in representing the United States on ISO topics relating to water supply pipe and drainpipe rehabilitation.

ISO is one of the most widely known independent, international organizations that develop standards promoting quality, safety, and efficiency of products, services, and systems. The work of preparing ISO standards is normally carried out through technical committees of all participating countries.

Although ISO’s nongovernmental standards are voluntary, industries worldwide look to its standards as a trusted, objective means of ensuring that products and techniques are suitably developed to match specific applications and conditions in a given market. Input, collaboration and consensus from the broadest range of global expertise is intrinsic to the standards development process. 

Wim Elzink, convenor of Working Group 2, welcomed Kozman to TC138/SC8 with gratitude. “Participation of the U.S. is very much welcomed,” Elzink says.

Having a vote in ISO standards development, Kozman says, benefits the U.S. in two, key ways. It keeps the U.S. abreast of new and evolving technologies that have uses in the American market, and it enhances the ability of U.S.-based companies to participate in the global market. 

Kozman is spearheading the development and coordination of the team of U.S. subject matter experts for considering new proposals and amending current standards relevant to plastic piping rehabilitation systems for underground non-pressurized drainage and sewerage systems and water supply networks.

Kozman brings 23 years of experience in the trenchless industry to the position, from hands-on, in-field application and consultation to manufacturing research and development. Much of his career has been spent in close collaboration with accomplished industry experts he will now be working with again in his new ISO position.  

Vibien, who heads the U.S. mirror committee for ISO TC138 on behalf of ANSI, had supported the United States’ return as a voting member of SC8. Kozman works closely with Vibien and other U.S. technical experts to articulate U.S. perspective and workgroup findings for each draft.

“It’s a tremendous honor to represent the U.S. in these discussions,” Kozman says. “The U.S. has a lot to contribute to the global standards discussion from its unique perspective from the North American market. And just as I know our participation can benefit countries around the world, I’m eager for the advantages we receive here at home from our close collaboration with experts abroad and their valuable insights.”