Standard

A standard refers to a specific set of guidelines, criteria, or requirements established to regulate or measure a particular aspect of a product, process, or service. Standards are often developed by industry organizations, government agencies, or international standard-setting bodies (such as the International Organization for Standardization, also known as ISO) to ensure consistency and interoperability in areas such as quality, safety, and performance. The ISO defines standards as “a formula that describes the best way of doing something.”

Standards can serve as a basis for regulations, certifications, and best practices and help ensure that products and services are safe, reliable, and meet certain minimum quality standards. Standards can be voluntary but can also be mandatory and enforced by law.