Addressing the needs of the nation
Standards underpin all levels of government and business. They work for the safety and convenience of all, ensuring that processes, services and products are safe, ethical and easy to use.
Standards are used by government to:
- Promote collaboration with business and society
- benefit the UK economy in terms of regulation and innovation
- enable more effective procurement
- create efficiencies and reduce internal costs
Supporting regulation and public policy
Standards can offer all the security of centralised regulation. However, their adaptability, flexibility and independent verification promote a more dynamic UK economy through:
- 'goal based regulation': meeting government criteria in collaboration with business and society
- industry-led response to changing circumstances
- eliminating the costs and delays incurred in continually revising regulations
- easing acceptance of regulation through active collaboration
Supporting innovation, productivity and competitive advantage
A collaborative approach to standardization constitutes an unparalleled framework for shared knowledge by:
- channelling the UK's wealth of knowledge for national benefit
- reducing costs and risks associated with innovation, while ensuring quality, safety and accessibility
- overcoming the obstacles standing between idea and market
- ensuring compatible technologies, enabling rapid market growth and interoperability throughout supply chains
- improving competitiveness and access to overseas markets through a demonstrated commitment to quality, compatibility and reliability
In taking advantage of standardization at a governmental level, the UK economy is well positioned to compete in the global market.
