National Standards Body (NSB)
In many countries, the NSB is the first of the Quality Infrastructure institutions to be formally established by Government.
There is no single model for an NSB. Its structure depends on what other QI institutions and services exist already, and what roles are conferred by the policy-maker.
A decision needs to be made whether the NSB will cover standardization activities, conformity assessment services (testing certification or inspection), metrology functions, accreditation functions, etc., noting that certain functions are incompatible and against international practice.
The exact role of the NSB should be defined in the National Quality Policy (NQP), which is an area that UNIDO concentrating on as part of its support to developing countries.
It could be advisable to have the NSB set up under an Act of Law: in this way, the role and responsibility of the NSB are officially recognized and financial support is more likely guaranteed (at least for the initial years)
The standard development function of the NSB cannot be self-sustaining as it is impossible to recover the expenses through sale of standards. The NSB needs to be able to provide other services, such as conformity assessment or training.
Government should pay for national standardization functions and participation in international work, as part of “good for the country” policy.
The standards development function of the NSB is hardly self-sustaining – it is impossible to recover its costs only through the sales of standards. The NSB needs other sources of funding, in particular:
- Government funding, which is vital to support the NSB national standardization functions and the participation of the country’s interests in international work (as part of “good for the country” policy – see more in the notes page)
- Funding derived from other services, such as conformity assessment, consulting and training (which the NSB should be able to provide)

Practical tips to NSBs:
- Do not offer free services
- Always promote and defend the voluntary nature of standards
- Do not pay Technical Committee members to attend standards development meetings
- Diversify the income base, to reduce dependence on mandatory standards administration budget