Standard

A document that provides requirements, specifications, guidelines or characteristics that can be used consistently to ensure that materials, products, processes and services are fit for their purpose. [International Organization for Standardization (ISO)] A Standard or Technical Standard includes all of the following:

a. common and repeated use of rules, conditions, guidelines or characteristics for products or related processes and production methods, and related management systems practices;

b. the definition of terms; classification of components; delineation of procedures; specification of dimensions, materials, performance, designs, or operations; measurement of quality and quantity in describing materials, processes, products, systems, services, or practices; test methods and sampling procedures; formats for information and communication exchange; or descriptions of fit and measurements of size or strength; and

c. terminology, symbols, packaging, marking or labeling requirements as they apply to a product, process, or production method.

A generic, all-encompassing term used to describe documents that provide a specified set of mandatory or discretionary rules, requirements, or conditions concerned with performance, design, operation, or measurements of quality to accomplish a specific task. Standards may include Federal laws, regulations, State laws, Federal agency directives, national and internal technical standards, codes of conduct, or even organizational "internal use only" documents.

See Public Law 104-113, National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995.