Are Standards Keeping Pace with Additive Manufacturing’s Progress?

Additive manufacturing (AM) now sits alongside traditional manufacturing techniques. But are standards keeping pace with its advance?

DEEP Manufacturing’s CEO, Peter Richards, sat down with Martin White, Director of Technical Operations at ASTM International, to discuss how standards and certification are critical to building trust, particularly in heavily regulated industries.

Video: Watch the full discussion here.

How has metal additive manufacturing evolved over the past decade?

MW: AM has become a genuine manufacturing tool. Applications now range from highly detailed powder bed fusion components to very large direct energy deposition structures. At the same time, materials development has accelerated rapidly. Rather than relying solely on conventional alloys, engineers are now designing materials specifically for additive processes, unlocking performance levels that were previously unattainable. While this innovation is exciting, it also introduces new complexity and risk that must be managed carefully.

Where do standards and certification fit into this evolution?

PR: Standards are fundamental to building trust. DEEP Manufacturing’s customers are no longer simply qualifying their prototype parts; they are putting metal AM components into active service. This represents a major shift from even a decade ago.

AM is complementary to traditional manufacturing rather than a replacement. Standards play a vital role in helping regulated industries trust that AM parts will perform safely and consistently, especially in safety-critical environments.

MW: I agree. When engineers are responsible for signing off structures where failure could have catastrophic consequences, qualification is very important. Standards define best practice, establish repeatability and provide a baseline for compliance. Without them, regulation and assurance become impossible.

Is the pace of adoption too slow?

PR: Adoption can feel slow, especially when working in highly regulated sectors. DEEP Manufacturing has moved quickly on certification, qualifying its products, facilities and processes in close collaboration with DNV. It is true, however, that some industries operate on longer timelines, which can be commercially frustrating.

That said, speed must be balanced with assurance. DEEP Manufacturing ’s multi-purpose module hull was launched after just over 18 months of focused work with its certification body. This was a significant achievement in a tightly regulated environment and demonstrates what’s possible when there is clear application and a shared understanding of risk.

MW: AM changes the traditional risk model. Conventional qualification typically builds from the bottom up, whereas AM allows manufacturers to create the final structure much faster and then build confidence through testing and analysis. This “inverted pyramid” approach requires a shift in mindset, supported by robust standards.

How can standards bodies better support adoption?

MW: One of the biggest challenges is pace. Technology evolves rapidly, and standards must keep up. ASTM has focused on collaboration, including joint ISO/ASTM standards, to reduce conflicting requirements and support global adoption.

Standards should not overwhelm industry. In practice, only a small number are core, with others applied as needed. The role of standards bodies is to help industry develop usable frameworks and clear compliance pathways, covering qualification, certification, and workforce development.

PR: From a manufacturer’s perspective equivalency is an issue. By working closely with DNV, DEEP Manufacturing has achieved around 80% equivalency across multiple standards, helping customers navigate complex regulatory landscapes and accelerating adoption.

How do standards build trust at the manufacturing level?

PR: Trust comes from consistency in processes, people and outcomes. DEEP Manufacturing qualifies its technicians and ensures it can produce identical parts to the same standard across facilities in the UK and the US. This is where standards truly demonstrate their value.

MW: Standards give organisations something solid to stand behind. If issues arise, the critical question is whether a robust, repeatable process was followed. If the answer is yes, then the organisation has done its job properly.

What excites you most about the future of additive manufacturing?

MW: Bringing curious, capable teams together with clear standards enables remarkable innovation. My goal is to see AM fully normalised as simply another trusted manufacturing method.

PR: Additive manufacturing is earning its place. With the right mindset, robust standards and a clear plan, it is enabling complex, large-scale manufacturing at speed, safely, repeatably, and with confidence.