A standard is 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."[1] Essentially, a standard is a rule or requirement that establishes the size, shape, uniformity, quality, performance,  definition, testing methodology, for any given material, chemical, process, &c. 

Standards are written for, but not limited to raw materials; manufactured products; methods of analysis, such as chemical, electrical, or mechanical; nondestructive testing; units of measure, such as time, distance, or mass; information privacy issues; environmental considerations; manufacturing processes; &c.  Standards are important for safety, reliability, quality, ease of use, interchangeable parts; and consistency of products and processes across international borders.   International standards are being developed for use throughout the world in order to facilitate international trade.

Sources for standards include: 

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI). 

• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). 

• NSSN (National Standards Systems Network).

• IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ). 

• ISO (International Organization for Standardization).

• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).