Standards : What is a standard?

What is a standard?

"A prescribed set of rules, conditions, or requirements concerning definitions of terms; classification of components; specification of materials, performance, or operations; delineation of procedures; or measurement of quantity and quality in describing materials, products, systems , services or practices." - National Policy on Standards for the United States and a Recommended Implementation Plan, National Standards Policy Advisory Committee, Washington, D.C. Dec. 1978, p.6.

Please watch the following video from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for more information:

Why search standards?

Searching standards during design can help you to:

Identify design constraints from best practices established by experts in the industry
Comply with laws that specify design and testing criteria
Reduce your product liability risk by complying with best practices and/or laws
Budget for certification testing that may be required or can improve your market position.

Find out more

Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ on standards, standardization, and standards organizations from the Society for Standards Professionals (SES)
What are standards?
Information from the National Institute of Standards and Testing (NIST).
Why Standards Matter
Information from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
StandardsLearn.org
A portal to self-paced educational tools that give an introduction to standards and conformity assessment activities.
How Does ISO Develop Standards?
Information from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Codes and Standards - by Professor Fred Elder (Video)

Get Help from PSET Team

Physical Science & Engineering Team | Science & Engineering Libraries

Email: AskSEL@library.wisc.edu
Schedule a Consultation

Ariel Andrea | Chemistry

Dave Bloom | Steenbock Library

Anne Glorioso | Steenbock Library

Erin Thomas | Steenbock Library