History

Origin
Main units used for various quantities
IEEE
IEC
British Standards
ANSI
Which one is used in ADDC?
What is a standard?

What is a standard?
A standard is a document that provides requirements, specifications, guidelines or characteristics
that can be used consistently to ensure that materials, products, processes and services are fit for
their purpose.

What is a Standard?
Standards Australia > Standards Development > What is a Standard?

Standards are published documents setting out specifications and procedures designed to ensure products, services
and systems are safe, reliable and consistently perform the way they were intended to. They establish a common
language which defines quality and safety criteria.

Standards can be:

International standards

Developed by ISO and IEC (and others) and are used directly or adopted by other standardising bodies.

Regional standards

Prepared for use in a specific geopolitical region, the best known is the European Union (EU) where EN standards
are used. Joint Australian/New Zealand standards can also be considered regional standards since they apply
equally in both countries.

National standards

Prepared, adopted or approved by a national standards body or other body accredited to produce national standards.

For example, Australian Standard brand Standards are either developed in Australia or are adoptions of
international standards.

Australian and joint Australian/New Zealand standards are practical and don't set impossible goals. They are based
on sound industrial, scientific and consumer experience and are regularly reviewed to ensure they keep pace with
new technologies.

They cover everything from consumer products and services, construction, engineering, business, information
technology, human services to energy and water utilities, the environment and much more.

In addition to Standards a range of supporting documents are also produced. These include Handbooks and
Technical Reports and their role is to provide guidance and assistance on implementing Standards.

WHAT ARE STANDARDS?

Standards are published documents that establish specifications and procedures designed to maximize the
reliability of the materials, products, methods, and/or services people use every day. Standards address a
range of issues, including but not limited to various protocols to help maximize product functionality and
compatibility, facilitate interoperability and support consumer safety and public health.
Standards form the fundamental building blocks for product development by establishing consistent
protocols that can be universally understood and adopted. This helps fuel compatibility and interoperability
and simplifies product development, and speeds time-to-market. Standards also make it easier to
understand and compare competing products. As standards are globally adopted and applied in many
markets, they also fuel international trade.

It is only through the use of standards that the requirements of interconnectivity and interoperability can be
assured. It is only through the application of standards that the credibility of new products and new markets
can be verified. In summary standards fuel the development and implementation of technologies that
influence and transform the way we live, work and communicate.