What are standards?
Standards define best practice in many different areas. They’re put together by groups of experts and come in a number of different varieties, from a set of definitions to a series of strict rules.
In essence, a standard is an agreed way of doing something. It could be about making a product, managing a process, delivering a service or supplying materials – standards can cover a huge range of activities undertaken by organisations and used by their customers.
The point of a standard is to provide a reliable basis for people to share the same expectations about a product or service.
This helps to:
- facilitate trade
- provide a framework for achieving economies, efficiencies and interoperability
- enhance consumer protection and confidence
Some of the world’s most popular standards are:
How are standards made?
A standard is a collective work. Representatives of organisations having an interest and expertise in the subject matter are brought together by BSI to form a technical committee to draw up the standard, with our staff facilitating their development and review.
Typically, our technical committees are comprised of representatives of industry bodies, research and testing organisations, local and central government, consumers and standards users. We have more than 100 years’ experience of shaping standards.
Who uses standards?
Governments, charities, small businesses, key market leading organisations – every organisation that cares about doing things well uses standards.
Need a copy of standard?
We can offer:
- hardcopies of all individual standards (ISO, Australian, New Zealand, Australian & New Zealand (AS/NZS), and British)
- electronic multiuser copies of ISO Standards
- BSOL – Standards Online – Our online standards database that makes using standards easier and more cost effective. Available, 24/7, you will be able to access over 55,000 International (ISO), British and adopted European Standards from your desktop
Next steps
If you want to order a copy of the standard or need any further information, contact us today on 1300 730 134 or sales.aus@bsigroup.com.
