Importance of Standards
To stay competitive in today’s world it’s not enough to strive for the maximization of the income and minimization of costs. Companies and organizations must also be accountable to their stakeholders as well as consider their environmental and social responsibilities. This includes the quality of the management, processes and end products and services.
Standards, which are established across industries and branches, are the means to achieve these goals along with certification being the way to prove compliance and conformity.
Standards aim to set a universal benchmark as to make sure that the high quality level is achieved
Today standards are more important than ever. Regardless of the level or the scope of business operations or simple everyday activities, they often go beyond organizational and national borders.
As private persons we consume products or services, in our professional life, we cooperate with other organizations and conduct business transactions. In both cases, it is important that the counterparty is credible, reliable and able to provide the best quality.
International standards bring economies together
It is essential to develop or coordinate standards on the international level, especially considering the spreading globalization in all business and private spheres.
The standards must not contradict any national norms, but have to serve as an indication of efficient processes and good quality no matter which country the organization is located in.
Standards ensure continuous compliance
The bodies developing a standard assume a great responsibility. In order to establish a standard, they must ensure maximum impartiality and expertise on the matter. By granting a proof of compliance such as certification, the standardization body vouches with their name and reputation that the certified company or organization fulfills all the necessary requirements. For that reason, these bodies also carry out regular audits or other assessments to make sure that the certified organization maintains their processes and outputs up to the standard in the long term.
Benefits of standards
For private consumers and stakeholders
- Standards help choose a reliable supplier
- Purchasing a product or service from a certified manufacturer or provider ensures the safety and quality of this purchase
For companies and organizations
- The standard itself contains valuable instructions for structuring and optimizing the processes
- The companies that are compliant with the standards
- get a competitive edge
- ensure the influx of customers
- prove their trustworthiness to the stakeholders
- Standards serve as important indicators during the search and assessment of partners, suppliers or subcontractors