Staðlarnir

Staðlarnir is the definite plural form of staðall, Icelandic for standard, criterion, or model. The term refers to established specifications, norms, or measurements that serve as reference points for design, evaluation, and quality assurance across different fields. In Icelandic syntax, staðlarnir is formed from the singular staðall with the plural indefinite form staðlar and the definite plural suffix -arnir, yielding the word staðlarnir.

Usage and scope: The term appears in technical, industrial, educational, and regulatory contexts. It can refer to generic standards—such as manufacturing standards or measurement standards—or to specific sets of standards that are formally applied in a given field. In everyday language, saying staðlarnir usually signals that recognized norms exist that must be observed or complied with.

Relationship to other terms: Related concepts include viðmið (criteria or benchmarks), kröfur (requirements), and leiðbeiningar (guidelines). The phrase is often used in connection with organizations that develop or reference standards, though individual bodies are not specified in this overview.

Examples: In discussions of quality management, compliance with the relevant staðlarnir is cited; in education, curricula may be aligned with staðlarnir for assessment. In Icelandic discourse, the term can also appear alongside references to international standards, such as ISO-staðlar, to indicate compatibility or conformity.

See also: viðmið, kröfur, leiðbeiningar, ISO-staðlar.