Standards are documented agreements containing technical specifications or criteria to be used consistently as guidelines, rules, or definitions. They are developed by consensus and approved by recognized bodies to ensure compatibility, safety, quality, and interoperability across industries and markets.

Standards may address:

• Products (e.g., material composition, dimensions),
• Services (e.g., performance benchmarks),
• Systems (e.g., management practices),
• Processes (e.g., testing methods or protocols).

Globally recognized standards are published by organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and Codex Alimentarius (for food standards). National bodies like ANSI (USA), DIN (Germany), and BSI (UK) also develop or adopt standards for domestic use.

Standards can be:

• Voluntary – adopted by organizations to demonstrate best practice or facilitate trade.
• Mandatory – enforced by law or regulation for public safety, environmental protection, or consumer rights.

They play a vital role in quality infrastructure, supporting conformity assessment, regulation, innovation, and economic development.

 

Private Voluntary Standards (PVS)

Private Voluntary Standards (also called Voluntary Sustainability Standards or Private Schemes) are developed by non-governmental entities such as industry associations, NGOs, or certification bodies. These standards typically address environmental, social, or ethical criteria that go beyond legal requirements.

Examples include:

• Fairtrade (ethical sourcing),
• Rainforest Alliance (sustainable agriculture),
• BRCGS (food safety in retail supply chains).

Private voluntary standards are increasingly used in global value chains, especially in agriculture and textiles, to demonstrate compliance with corporate sustainability or buyer expectations. While voluntary by name, market pressure often makes adherence a condition for trade.