Summary

• Why do we have Standards?• How do Standards help industry?• How do Standards help society?• Why are Standards like…?

Why do we have Standards?

• How do you know…– DVDs from different record 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?

Why do we have Standards?

• To make our lives… – easier: we can rely on good products and know that they will

work in the way we expect them to– safer: Standards ensure products are fit for their purpose, and

aren’t dangerous or badly made– healthier: Standards also help to minimize the impact of a

product on the environment

How do Standards help industry?

• Supporting innovation– sharing best practice, so designers can focus on developing better

products

– setting benchmarks for performance, quality and safety

– ensuring similar products work together (e.g. making sure all CDs are the same dimensions)

– reducing risks

– reducing costs

How do Standards help industry?

• Getting ideas adopted internationally– exporting ideas opens up overseas markets and raises the

profile of national industries and commerce– competitive advantage from being world leaders– international meetings lead to exchange of ideas

How do Standards help industry?

• Balancing the needs of the producer and user– creating market-led solutions

– reflecting all interests, including businesses, consumers, regulators and the environment

– promoting fair competition and avoiding unhealthy concentrations of economic power

– reducing costs for development, production and transactions

– increasing the diversity and quality of suppliers for producers and consumers

How do Standards help society?

• Protecting consumers• Improving products and services• Encouraging knowledge-sharing• Addressing social concerns, e.g. environmental, health &

safety, inclusiveness

Why are Standards like…

• …the World Cup?• …the Armistice Poppy?• …the Ferrari Enzo?

Why are Standards like…?

Like the World Cup, Standards deliver quality when they focus everyone’s attention on a common goal.

Why are Standards like…?

Like the Armistice poppy, Standards deliver quality when they are timely and relevant.

Why are Standards like…?

Like the Ferrari Enzo, Standards deliver quality when they demonstrate dependable excellence.

This completes the introduction to the benefits of Standards:

• Why do we have Standards?• How do Standards help industry?• How do Standards help society?• Standards are like…

• For more information, visit www.bsieducation.org