Standardnummer

Standardnummer is a numeric or alphanumeric identifier assigned to a standard, specification, or related document within a standards system. It provides a stable reference that enables unambiguous citation, cataloging, procurement, and interoperability across organizations, languages, and formats. Standards bodies such as ISO, IEC, DIN, and national agencies issue standards and assign them numbers. A standard number is often presented together with the issuing body and may include parts, revisions, or country adaptations, for example ISO 9001 (quality management), DIN EN 13485 (medical devices, a German-adopted European standard), or ISO/IEC 27001 (information security management).

In bibliographic and library contexts, standard numbers support indexing and retrieval. They are linked to metadata fields and used in catalogs, procurement systems, and electronic documents to ensure that the exact standard is referenced. Beyond formal standards, the term standardnummer is sometimes used more broadly to denote identification codes created according to standardization practices, such as ISBN for books, ISSN for serials, EAN/UPC for products, or DOIs for digital objects.

Because new revisions or replacements may supersede older editions, a standard-number reference is often supplemented by edition information, part numbers, or amendment identifiers to maintain accuracy over time. Limitations include the potential for multiple editions and regional adaptations, which can create complexity and require contextual information to ensure precise identification.