Douglas D. Schumann Library & Learning Commons: Engineering Standards: What Is a Standard?

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What Is a Standard?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) defines a standard as:

"A document, established by consensus and approved by a recognized body, that provides, for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given context."

IEEE: Developing Standards
Describes the process by which standards are developed, approved, revised, and withdrawn from use.

Why Use Standards?

ANSI: United States Standards Strategy (2020)
Provides a vision for the future of the U.S. standards system to support U.S. competitiveness, innovation, health and safety, and global trade.
ANSI Standardization Case Studies
Demonstrates how standards were used to solve problems in a variety of disciplines.
Standardization in History: A Review Essay with an Eye to the Future
In this article, Dr. Andrew L. Russell of Johns Hopkins University, examines the history of standardization and its impact upon society.
StandardsPortal.org
Provides answers to the critical standards, conformance, market access, and trade-related questions that companies require to succeed in the U.S. and internationally.

What Is in a Standard?

The Anatomy of a Standard
This handout from Purdue University provides a concise guide to reading and understanding the parts of an enginering standard.
Form and Style for ASTM Standards
This is a pdf manual or guide to ASTM International standards. This manual is the basic textbook for anyone writing an ASTM standard. Published September 2022.