Takeshi Matsuyama Honored with IOMA International Harmonization Award

CGA is pleased to congratulate Takeshi Matsuyama of Air Water, Inc. as the recipient of the 2024 IOMA International Harmonization Award! This prestigious award was created by the International Oxygen Manufacturer’s Association (IOMA) Global Committee in 2005 to recognize significant and distinguished service to the international harmonization process. It is presented annually to an individual who best exemplifies the character, commitment, and technical excellence prevalent in the development of harmonized publications or legislation at the international level.

Significant Service to the Industry

With over 30 years of experience, Takeshi Matsuyama’s career is marked by his committee to the harmonization activities essential for global standards. His longstanding involvement in the Japan Industrial and Medical Gases Association (JIMGA) and the International Harmonization Council (IHC) has yielded positive and effective results.

In 2011 and 2012, Takeshi served as the leader of the joint working group that developed the global standard for hydrogen selenide. His leadership was instrumental in revising this crucial document, further demonstrating his commitment to maintaining up-to-date and effective standards in the field.

Since 2014, Takeshi served as the Vice Chair of the International Division and International Harmonization working group (WG) in JIMGA. He has also managed and consulted on many JIMGA IHC WG activities. Takeshi has also been involved in the De-Regulation Division in JIMGA as a Vice Chair. He was assigned to be the Senior General Manager in electronics division in 2012, and Executive Officer in 2016. Since 2022, Takeshi has served in the Senior Executive Office.

Takeshi’s expertise extends into the De-Regulation Division, where, as vice chair, he has successfully overseen critical updates to regulatory policies affecting the semiconductor gas supply chain, ASU operations, and more. Notably, his contributions played a key role in revising the High-Pressure Safety Acts under Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI).

The IOMA award recognizes Takeshi Matsuyama’s tireless efforts in harmonization, his exceptional leadership, and his vision for the future of standards and safety. Congratulations to Mr. Matsuyama on this well-deserved honor!

Supporting Critical Harmonization Initiatives

As the industry becomes increasingly global, it is in the interest of enhanced safety, as well as improved efficiency, that industry publications are consistent wherever gases are produced, distributed, or used. It is important and beneficial for the industry to share safety practices and reduce the variability in safety standards and operating practices.

The International Harmonization Council (IHC) is one arena where CGA participates to advance the industry’s strategic goals related to harmonized standards. The IHC is made up of four gas associations: the Asia Industrial Gases Association (AIGA), the Compressed Gas Association (CGA), the European Industrial Gases Association (EIGA), and the Japan Industrial and Medical Gases Association (JIMGA). The IHC work program supports our efforts to:

• Increase industry safety, improve efficiency, and decrease liability. Through the development and publication of harmonized standards, we are able to share the industry’s best practices and learnings and implement them consistently on a global scale.

• Promote a unified industry message.
  We are able to more effectively advocate for our industry by leveraging harmonized positions and presenting a consistent position to external standards bodies such as ISO and the UN.

• Address gaps and differences.
  The harmonization work process facilitates the identification and prioritization of work on gaps and differences in regional publications, regulations, and external standards.

• More effectively use industry resources.
  By working collaboratively with AIGA, EIGA, and JIMGA we eliminate duplicate efforts by regional associations to address the same topics and consolidate the expertise and resources needed to support publication development and maintenance.

• Provide access to safety information.
  Ensure that developing regions have access to publications developed by subject matter experts.

Dedicated committee members like Greg DeVincentis contribute substantial time and resources to supporting the global harmonization of industry standards, and we are sincerely appreciate the expertise that they share with us. Please join us in congratulating Greg for his well-deserved recognition as the IOMA International Harmonization Award winner!

IOMA International Harmonization Award Recipients