How to evaluate a standard

Purpose

This guide supports top management in making informed decisions when evaluating whether a standard should be adopted, referenced, or implemented. It ensures that selected standards are fit-for-purpose, aligned with strategic objectives, and practical to implement.

1. Understanding Why Evaluation Matters

Evaluating a standard ensures that:

It provides operational or competitive advantages.
It truly supports business needs and strategic priorities.
It does not create unnecessary complexity or cost.
It is credible, widely recognized, and maintained by a legitimate organization.
It aligns with legal, regulatory, and market expectations.

2. The Process of Evaluating a Standard

Step 1: Understand the Standard’s Source and Credibility

Ask:

Is the issuing body credible and recognized in your market or industry?
Is the standard issued by a recognized standardization body (e.g., ISO, IEC, CEN, GS1)?
Is it developed through a transparent, consensus-based process?

Step 2: Review the Standard’s Scope and Intent

Check:

What are the boundaries of applicability?
What does the standard cover (process, product, system, data, interoperability)?
What is its purpose (compliance, quality, safety, efficiency, sustainability)?

Step 3: Evaluate Alignment with Business and Regulatory Needs

Consider:

Does it fill a gap or improve your current practices?
Does the standard address your identified business or compliance needs?
Is it referenced in laws, regulations, or customer contracts?

Step 4: Assess Adoption and Market Recognition

Ask:

Is it aligned with international or regional frameworks?
Is the standard widely recognized in your industry or market?
Do customers, partners, or competitors refer to or require it?

Step 5: Examine practicality and feasibility

Check:

Does it require significant changes to your operations, IT systems, or resources?
Is it implementable within your organizational context?
Are the requirements clear, actionable, and measurable?

Step 6: Evaluate maintenance, support, and updates

Assess:

Are future updates predictable and manageable?
Is the standard maintained and updated regularly?
Are there support resources (training, guidance, certification)?

Step 7: Consider costs and benefits

Balance:

Expected benefits (risk reduction, market access, customer trust, operational improvement)
Implementation costs (training, systems, certification)
Ongoing maintenance and compliance costs