standardise

Standardise (British English) or standardize (American English) refers to the process of establishing and applying a standard for a product, process, or system to ensure consistency and interoperability. The noun forms standardisation and standardization denote the act or result of standardising.

Standardisation emerged to facilitate trade, reduce costs, and ensure compatibility among components and interfaces. It developed through weights and measures reforms and the growth of manufacturing. Modern standardisation is administered by international, regional, and national bodies, notably the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). ISO and IEC publish international standards (ISO standards and IEC standards) through consensus-based committees.

Standards can be voluntary or mandated; they may be de facto (industry-developed) or formal standards issued by a standards organisation. The development process typically includes proposal, committee drafting, public review, voting, and publication. Standards cover quality management, interoperability, safety, and communication interfaces, such as USB, HTML, and SI units.

Benefits of standardisation include interoperability, improved quality and safety, reduced costs, and easier regulation. Critics point to potential slowing of innovation, rigidity, and costs for small firms. Standardisation continues as technology evolves across manufacturing, information technology, and services.