ASME factory authorization system and the situation in Japan

Since about three or four years ago, the enterprises of machinery, iron and steel and welding materials in Japan are paying much attention to the acquisition of ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) certificates or authorization to stamp the code symbols. That is, over 70 factories in Japan have undergone ASME examination, and consequently acquired the authorization or certificates. Such authorization is divided into over 20 kinds, of which about 7 are possessed by the companies in Japan. In nuclear field, the kinds of authorization are N (nuclear vessel), NPT (nuclear vessel parts), NV (nuclear vessel safety valve), and MM (material manufacturing). In non-nuclear fields, they are S (power boilers), U (pressure vessels, in Div. 1), and U2 (pressure vessels in Div. 2). The following matters are described: ASME setup, authorization procedures of ASME for factories, the kinds of authorization, factories in Japan holding the authorization or certificates, and renewal of the authorization. (Mori, K.)