WORLD STANDARDS DAY
World Standards Day on October 14th pays tribute to the experts around the world who develop our International Standards.
International standards provide a way to get work done more efficiently. These standards also remove technical barriers to trade and improve supply chains. Compliance with these standards helps consumers, too. They know products are safe and good for the environment. Some of the industries and organizations using international standards include:
- Communication
- Manufacturing
- Measurement
- Science
- Symbols
- Time
Examples of items requiring standardization for communication include Braille and the International Code of Signals. The manufacturing industry standardizes products like paper sizes. Tracking time is an excellent example of standardization. We see it in the calendar, time zones, and clocks.
The onset of the Industrial Revolution prompted the necessity and implementation of standards. One early innovation requiring standardization involved the screw-cutting lathe. The invention revolutionized the industry. It also prompted one of the first standardizations – screw thread sizes. The harnessing of electricity made standardization quite complicated. Countries around the world developed their own standards for voltage, currency, and frequency. Lack of efficiency prompted the international standard for electrical engineering.
From there, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) organized, the first of its kind. Twenty years later, the International Federation of the National Standardizing Associations (ISA) was founded. In October 1946, the ISA and the United Nations Standards Coordinating Committee (UNSCC) created the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The UNSCC was represented by 25 delegates from different countries.
HOW TO OBSERVE #WorldStandardsDay
Each October in Washington, D.C. members of the U.S. standardization community celebrate World Standards Day. They provide an exhibit, reception, and dinner gala. Many other events are held around the world. These events include educational seminars and conferences. The World Standard Cooperation holds a contest each year to celebrate the day.
To observe World Standards Day, think about how your life is improved by having international standards. This could be something as basic as knowing the time in another country to using the metric system. To show your appreciation for international standards, share this day on social media with #WorldStandardsDay
WORLD STANDARDS DAY HISTORY
Each year the International Standards Commission, International Organization for Standardization, and the International Telecommunication Union promote World Standards Day. The first observance took place on October 14th, 1970. Each year since 1998 the organizations select a theme for the day. Some of the most recent themes have included:
- 2019: Video standards create a global stage
- 2018: Standards and the Fourth Industrial Revolution
- 2017: Standards make cities smarter
- 2016: Standards build trust
- 2015: Standards: the world’s common language