Normalisatieinstituut

Normalisatieinstituut is a term used to refer to an organization responsible for standardization activities within a country or sector. A normalisatie-instituut typically develops, publishes, and maintains technical standards for products, services, and processes; defines terminology and measurement methods; and supports conformity assessment, certification, and accreditation programs. It also promotes the adoption of standards among industry, government, and consumers, and coordinates participation in national and international standardization efforts, including committees and working groups. In addition to producing normative documents, such institutes often offer training, guidance, and consultancy to help organizations implement standards consistently.

In the Netherlands, the best-known example is the Nederlands Normalisatie-instituut, commonly referred to by its acronym NEN. NEN acts as the national standardization body, working with industry associations, government bodies, and research institutions to develop Dutch standards and to participate in international standardization work under ISO, IEC, and related European and global forums. Similar institutions exist in other countries, sometimes with slightly different organizational structures, such as government agencies, independent non-profit bodies, or business-led consortia.

History of formal standardization in Dutch-speaking regions dates to the industrial era, when national bodies were created to coordinate measurement, product quality, and interoperability. The general concept of a normalisatie-instituut continues to play a central role in regulatory compliance, product safety, and trade.