Summary What is a Standard? Why do we have Standards? How do Standards help industry and consumers ? What are the different types of Standard? How are formal Standards created? How are Standards tested?

What is a Standard? An agreed way of doing something Can be formally published, or an informal unwritten procedure A voluntary code – not a regulation

Why do we have Standards? For products - how do you know… –DVDs from different companies will fit your DVD player? –What the care symbols in your clothes mean? –The expensive digital camera you’ve just bought is safe to plug into your laptop?

How do Standards help industry? Supporting innovation Getting ideas from one country to be adopted internationally Balancing the needs of producer and user

Types of Standard Private Standards Open source Standards Publicly available Standards (PAS) Formal Standards: –National Standards e.g. British Standards (BS) –European Standards (EN) –International Standards (ISO)

How are formal Standards created? The National Standards Body (BSI in the UK) brings together representatives from a range of interested groups and organizations –e.g. manufacturers, government, retailers, consumers, academics, employees and special interest groups The group writes and agrees the Standard (i.e. reach a consensus) Public review before final publication

How are Standards tested? Products can be tested against a Standard using: – testing –laboratory accreditation –certification programs and their accreditation –management system assessment/registration and accreditation –recognition of the competence of accreditation programs United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) regulates conformity assessment in UK The Kitemark

This completes the introduction to Standards: What a Standard is Why we have Standards How Standards help industry and consumers Types of Standard How formal Standards are created Testing against a Standard For more information, visit