A standard is a publication of a formal document (the standards), generally developed by consensus, containing the requirements a product, process or service should comply with. Standards are essentially voluntary in nature and producers can choose when to use them. But once standards are used in contracts or are referenced in technical regulation, compliance becomes obligatory.
Standards Definition
“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.” ~ ISO/IEC Guide 2:2004
“A document approved by a recognized body, that provides, for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for products or related processes and production methods, with which compliance is not mandatory. It may also include or deal exclusively with terminology, symbols, packaging, marking or labelling requirements as they apply to a product, process or production method”. World Trade Organisation (WTO) TBT Agreement
Standards are characterized by three key features:
Voluntary
Users are not compelled to use them
Consensus-based
All parties agree to the requirements
Approved
Approved by a recognized body