A standard is a document established by consensus and approved by a recognized bodythat provides – for common and repeated use – rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given context.1 They provide organizations with the shared vision, understanding, procedures, and vocabulary needed to meet the expectations of their stakeholders. Standards present precise descriptions and terminology so consequently they offer an objective and authoritative basis for organizations and consumers around the world to communicate and conduct business.
The International Organization for Standardization, popularly known as “ISO,” coordinates the development, revising, reissuing and sale of international standards. ISO is a worldwide federation of nearly 170 national standards bodies including the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) which oversees the development of standards in the United States. ISO currently offers over 24,000 standards with ISO 9001, Quality Management Systems – Requirements, being the most popular by sales volume.