A standard is a document that defines a product, policy, procedure or material.
It is generally legally valid and provides the user with a set of guidelines and protocols that could lead to legal implications if not followed. Standards are created and regularly modified to support free and fair trade practices. It may be created by a government, by an alliance, or by a standards-developing organization. Often used in the trades, standards allow for enhanced quality and reliability.
Standards and regulatory compliance are an essential component in commerce. Compliance with differing requirements, required by regulations in various jurisdictions, can be a real challenge for many organizations.
If this type of information is your responsibility, this website will guide you through the maze of standards, regulations and other conformance documents. You'll learn to set up a methodology for identifying documentation critical to your organization's success and how to ensure your organization is aware of on-going changes to this documentation.
In the U.S., our primary set of compliance documents are Industry Standards, usually created by committees of interested parties, which can include members from industry, government and the public. ANSI, the American National Standards Institute, acts as the umbrella organization in the U.S. to coordinate standards activities and assure that a thorough and well-balanced procedure is maintained throughout the standards developing process. The principles adhered to are those of openness, due process, and balance.
Standards are used in manufacturing and commerce. They allow for products that are safe, meet quality requirements, and have consistent results when used correctly. Some things you use that are made or function according to standards include cardboard boxes, toys, electrical devices like computers, and your cell phone. Standards can be used as a competitive tool, or as a tool for protectionism. However, the global trend in standards is currently towards harmonization, towards developing a single standard for a product, process, or material that will be recognized and accepted internationally.
6000 B.C. Agriculture
People needed a way to distribute crops, especially during times of famine. Meteorologists surmise that the early standard of grain was the contents of two hands cupped together.
2200 B.C. Akkadian Empire
The Akkadian Empire in Sumeria created a standard for counting tokens to measure a person's wealth.
2500 B.C. Pyramids of Egypt
Pyramids were built with blocks that are regular, symmetric and aligned with the Eart's axis. Details of measuring devices in documents found in tombs indicate the use of standard units of measurement.
500 B.C. Tholos
Athens had instituted the Tholos, an official depository of weights and measures, much as we have NIST, the National Institute of Science and Technology, here in the U.S.today.
1820 Pharmacopeial Convention
Formed in 1820, the oldest standards-developing organization in the United States is the Pharmacopeial Convention to adopt uniform standards for drugs.
1904 NFPA Fire Codes
The NFPA developed fire codes after a fire in Baltimore occured where Washington DC's fire hoses were not compatible with Baltimore fire plugs, leaving the volunteers who had come to help sitting helplessly by as the city burned.
1865 International Telegraph Union
International Standardization began with the formation of the ITU, International Telegraph Union (now the International Telecommunications Union)
1906 International Electrotechnical Commision
The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) was founded in June, 1906 in London, UK, focusing on the requirements for the world's electrotechnical industries.
1926 ISO
Originally founded as the International Federation of the National Standardizing Associations (ISA), the ISO focused heavily on mechanical engineering. Now ISO covers all standardization efforts except for electrotechnical and telecommunication.