How and where they're used

Standards may be one of the following types:

Bullet-point Private standards are for use only by the organization that developed them

Bullet-point Publicly available standards can be, for example, a standard produced by a trade association that may be used by any organization

Bullet-point British Standards are produced by BSI British Standards and developed in collaboration with UK government, businesses and society. Some are enforced by regulation, but for most compliance is voluntary

Bullet-point European Standards are produced by CEN, the European Committee for Standardization, whose members are the national standards bodies of European Union countries. All European Standards are adopted as British Standards

Bullet-point International Standards are produced by ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, whose members are the national standards bodies of countries all over the world. The UK decides whether to adopt international standards as British Standards

Standards apply to products and services

Standards can apply to products, processes or services. A well known 'process' standard is the ISO 9000 series, which provides a framework for the effective management of organizations.

Formal standards, such as British, European or international standards, vary in the strength of their provisions; for example, they may specify requirements for the features or characteristics of a product, or simply recommend the best way of doing something.

Evaluation and certification

Evaluation bodies provide testing, certification, inspection or calibration services for organizations wanting their product or service to comply with international, European or British Standards.

Bullet-point Find out more about the Kitemark, CE marking and other evaluation and certification services