Thanks to the development and application of standards, people worldwide can trust that the products, processes, and services they use are safer, more reliable, higher quality, and in some cases more ethical or sustainable.
How Standards Shape Our World
In everyday life, standards help ensure the safety of everything from the food we eat to the appliances, devices, and medical equipment we operate. Standards also guide energy management for improved efficiency and govern IT security practices to protect sensitive information.
The concept of standardization dates back to ancient civilizations, many of which created universal systems of weights, measures, and guidelines to support their trading activities. The world’s first formal standards organization, the National Standards Body, was established in London in 1901. Following the launch of the World Bank in 1944 and the founding of the United Nations in 1945, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) was officially created in 1947 to “establish international standards for goods and services, promote global cooperation, and enhance quality, safety, and efficiency” in the post-WWII era.
Streamlining Society and Business
Since then, standards have had an indelible impact on our lives – enhancing safety, promoting technological innovation, and streamlining global trade. Below are some interesting facts about global standards:
- The acronym “ISO” (associated with the International Organization for Standardization) comes from the Greek word “isos,” meaning “equal.”
- More than 100,000 standards are recognized in the U.S. alone, and over 30,000 international standards are acknowledged globally.
- Standards are foundational for a wide range of industries. Examples include:
- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) used in financial reporting
- Common Core Standards in education
- The National Electric Code (NEC) governing safe electrical installations in the U.S.
- The International Energy Conservation Code regulating global energy usage
- Bluetooth standards defining how wireless devices connect and communicate
- HTML and CSS language standards regulating the architecture, look, and feel of web content
- Even credit card sizes are standardized to ensure their compatibility worldwide!
- 14 October marks World Standards Day (founded by ISO in 1970), celebrating the importance of standards and those who develop them.
The Role of IEEE in the Standards Process
For over a century, the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) has helped shape global technology. As one of the most respected standards organizations, IEEE collaborates with thought leaders in more than 160 countries to advance innovation, safety, and interoperability. Its portfolio includes more than 1,200 active standards, with another 1,000+ currently in development.
IEEE standards span a wide range of disciplines—telecommunications, IT, electric vehicles, smart grids, blockchain, electromagnetic compatibility, and more. By providing a framework for compliance and innovation, these standards empower professionals to develop reliable, forward-thinking technologies.
IEEE: Your Expert Source on Standards
IEEE offers many informative standards-related courses across a diverse range of fields:
- Wi-Fi 6: IEEE’s 6-hour IEEE 802.11ax: An Overview of High-Efficiency Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6) course program examines the underlying technology behind the latest Wi-Fi 6 products and the 802.11ax standard, which is focused on achieving higher efficiency and improving the user experience.
- Distributed Energy Resources (DERs): IEEE’s 6-hour Introduction to IEEE Std 1547-2018: Connecting Distributed Energy Resources course program reviews the interconnection testing and verification requirements included in the IEEE 1547 standard, requirements for interoperability and open access at the DER, and power quality issues associated with DER systems.
- Artificial Intelligence: IEEE’s 5-hour AI Standards: Roadmap for Ethical and Responsible Digital Environments course program offers a comprehensive approach to creating ethical and responsible digital ecosystems based on the principles of Honesty & Impartiality, Protection & Security, and Safe Disclosure & Privacy.
- Aerospace: IEEE’s 5-hour IEEE Software and Systems Engineering Standards Used in Aerospace and Defense course program explores systems and software engineering concepts applicable to the Aerospace and Defense industries and covers such topics as the selection and application of appropriate IEEE standards for life cycle processes, solving complex issues through interrelated life cycle processes, and techniques for rapid but high quality delivery.
- Electrical Safety: IEEE’s 7-hour NESC® 2023: National Electrical Safety Code course program educates power utility professionals on the rules, regulations, and changes in the 2023 edition of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and reviews such specific topics as supply station safety, grounding, and overhead and underground requirements.
- Configuration Management: IEEE’s 5-hour Software & Hardware Configuration Management in Systems Engineering course program reviews essential configuration management core concepts for both hardware and software, from the requirements specified in the IEEE 828 standard to best CM practices, modern CM approaches such as “Agile SCM,” and methods to assess and improve existing organizational CM practices.
Explore and enroll in IEEE standards courses today on the IEEE Learning Network. For institutional access, contact a specialist today!
Sources
A Brief History of Standards. Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards.
ANSI Frequently Asked Questions. American National Standards Institute.
ISO: Global Standards for Trusted Goods and Services. International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
23 Facts About International Standards. Oh My Facts.
(12 January 2024). 30 Best Examples of Standards Across Industries. Bitglint.
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