For over 25 years, ASTM Committee E48 has been center stage for the fundamental development of high quality voluntary consensus standards for industrial biotechnology and agricultural biomass/renewable energy. Approximately 175 members from around the globe facilitate international harmonization of standards and methods and a coordinated framework for the expansion of biomass conversion processes. Four technical subcommittees maintain jurisdiction over 23 standards, published in Volume 05.06 of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Biannual meetings, held June and December, focus on information sharing and standards development, respectively. Committee E48 governs will focus on bioenergy and industrial chemicals from biomass, from characterization through manufacturing.