Standardisation

Standardisation is the process of implementing and developing technical standards. Standardization can help to maximize compatibility, safety, repeatability, or quality.

The process of standardization can itself be standardized. There are at least four levels of standardization: compatibility, interchangeability, commonality and reference. These standardization processes create compatibility, similarity, measurement and symbol standards.

There are typically four different techniques for standardization
Simplification or variety controlCodificationValue engineeringStatistical process control
Probably the greatest downside of standardization for consumers is lack of variety. There is no guarantee that the chosen standard will meet all consumers' needs or even that the standard is the best available option.Another downside is that if a standard is agreed upon before products are available in the market, then consumers are deprived of the penetration pricing that often results when rivals are competing to rapidly increase market share in an attempt to increase the likelihood that their product will become the standard.It is also possible that a consumer will choose a product based upon a standard that fails to become dominant.In this case, the consumer will have spent resources on a product that is ultimately less useful to him or her as the result of the standardization process.
Some of the popular certification marks are:
BIS(features the popular ISI mark,BIS Act 1986)


AGMARK(found in agricultural products,Agricultural Produce Act 1986)

FPO(found in all food products)

CE(European Conformity)

Standardisation has a variety of benefits for consumers, but one of the greatest benefits is enhanced network effects. Standards increase compatibility and interoperability between products, allowing information to be shared within a larger network and attracting more consumers to use the new technology, further enhancing network effects.Other benefits of standardization to consumers are reduced uncertainty, because consumers can be more certain that they are not choosing the wrong product, and reduced lock-in, because the standard makes it more likely that there will be competing products in the space.Consumers may also get the benefit of being able to mix and match components of a system to align with their specific preferences.

A certification mark on a commercial product often indicates the existence of an accepted product standard and a claim that the manufacturer has tested the product to verify compliance with that standard. The specific specification, test methods, and frequency of testing are published by the standards organization. Certification listing does not necessarily guarantee fitness for use.