Information sources: Standards

Standards

Standards are intended to ensure compatibility between products and appliances from different suppliers. They are produced by both national and professional organisations.

Organisations
Most countries in western Europe have a national organisation, which is responsible for standards, eg AFNOR in France, DIN in Germany and the British Standards Institution (BSI). In the USA, there is both a national body, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and also professional bodies each with its own standards, eg. the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM). There is also an international body for standards, the International Standards Organisation (ISO).

British Standards Institution

American National Standards Institute

American Society for Testing Materials

International Standards Organisation

Where can I find standards?

Its coverage includes:

  • British Standards, with a BS prefix
  • BSI national adoptions of European Standards (100%), with a BS EN prefix
  • BSI national adoptions of selected international standards from ISO (International Organization for Standardization), with the prefixes: BS ISO or BS EN ISO
  • IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standards, with the prefixes: BS IEC or BS EN ISO/IEC
  • Special sequences including: DD (drafts for development), PD (published documents), SP (specifications) and DC (drafts for public comment)

The Library's subscription does not include withdrawn or historic standards.