The ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) is one of the oldest standard-development organizations in America. It produces approximately 600 codes and standards covering many technical areas, such as fasteners, plumbing fixtures, elevators, pipelines, and power plant systems and components. ASME standards are developed by committees of subject matter experts using an open, consensus-based process. Many of the ASME standards are cited by government agencies as tools to meet their regulatory objectives. The ASME standards are therefore voluntary unless the standards have been incorporated into a legally binding business contract or incorporated into regulations enforced by an authority having jurisdiction, such as a federal, state, or local government agency. The ASME‘s standards are used in more than 100 countries and have been translated into numerous languages.