What is a Standard?

A Standard is a published specification that establishes a common language, and contains a technical specification or other precise criteria and is designed to be used consistently, as a rule, a guideline, or a definition.

Standards are applied to many materials, products, methods and services. They help to make life simpler, and increase the reliability and the effectiveness of many goods and services we use.

Standards are designed for voluntary use and do not impose any regulations. However, laws and regulations may refer to certain Standards making compliance with them compulsory.

For example, the format of credit cards, Standard number BS EN ISO/IEC 7810:1996 defines their dimensions. Adhering to this Standard means that the cards can be used worldwide.

Further information on Standards is available on the British Standards website.

How is a Standard produced?

A British Standard is created by appropriately qualified and experienced people who are brought together by BSI. They discuss and agree on the details that will form the new British Standard.

A draft is released, and anyone with an interest can comment on its content. Finally, after all comments have been reviewed, it is published as a British Standard.

Standards for international trade

As international trade, travel and communications increase, international Standards are used to enable products to be traded across Europe and worldwide.

Standards are prepared through discussions in European (CEN) and international (ISO) committees. European Standards are automatically adopted by EU members. International Standards are adopted in the countries that wish to use them. In the UK we make them available as British Standards and prefix the published documents with the letters BS.

• 
  the Standard is a British Standard and is used mainly in the UK

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  the Standard is a European Standard and is used throughout Europe

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  the Standard is an international Standard and may be used throughout the world