Please site a few specific examples.  I searched about 400 ASTM standards.  Lots use the phrase "approved edition" but none include the text "when approved by purchaser".

Writing consensus standards requires input from the manufacturer and user. The manufacturer of an apparatus may design something for a particular lab situation.  Manufacturers want to sell something that performs a specific function, and is something that users want to buy.

The purchaser is the organization placing the purchase order.  Often if a contractor places an order it is for their client company.  Commercial agreements include reimbursable and lump sum contracts.  Search the web for the Uniform Commercial Code to become familiar with purchase order terms and conditions.

 

JLS - try ASTM A508 as an example.

By normal quality assurance principles, deviations to specified requirements are either to be corrected or authorised by the customer (purchaser).

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04
 

For example from A312:
12.1 Each pipe shall be subjected to the nondestructive
electric test or the hydrostatic test. The type of test to be used shall be at the option of the manufacturer, unless otherwise specified in the purchase order.

This is the closest that I could find off hand.If the end user asks for a specific option than you must pass that through. I would view a item from the supplier side the same way, they must be passed clear up (of down) the supply chain.

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Plymouth Tube

The example that I saw pertained to fabrication details that are beyond the relm of many engineers in project management positions.  Whether the operating company or client gets an approval depends upon the contract.  If an operating company hires an engineering contractor on a reimbursible basis then pass the approvals, providing some period like 10 days or whatever the contract allows before responding.  If this is a lump sum contractor then only the purchaser gets an approval, the client gets no approval.

Simplar is ASTM C-94

1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers ready-mixed concrete manufactured and delivered to a purchaser in a freshly mixed and unhardened state as hereinafter specified. Requirements for quality of concrete shall be either as hereinafter specified or as specified by the purchaser. In any case where the requirements of the purchaser differ from these in this specification, the purchaser's specification shall govern. This specification does
not cover the placement, consolidation, curing, or protection of the concrete after delivery to the purchaser.

 

There is a wide range depending on the nature of the product. Normally, the ASTM stardards have been updated to recognize the difference between products and relate who has contorl over the materials/products.

Some ASTM specs have been a little slower in this aspect because of the satisfaction with the existing until a situation occurs. Some updates do not hapen as fast as some people would like.

There are also definitions/specifications made for manufactured products where the storage of the materials by the contractor or purchaser can cause non-compliance.

Dick

So many thanks to everybody's excellent replies!

Who is going to pay you? That is the "purchaser". IMHO, its their responsibility to get the answer for you.