Make best use of standards

Standards can help you ensure that your products, services or business systems meet fixed specifications or quality benchmarks. Many different standards exist, but most widely known include:

• the ISO 9001 standard for quality management
• the ISO 27001 for information security management
• the ISO 14001 for environmental management

The use of standards is voluntary, but it can realise many business benefits. For example, standards can help you grow the market for your products and services, boost credibility with customers and suppliers, and manage your business more effectively. They can also ensure that your products are compatible with other related products, to allow you to make the most of your innovations.

This guide explains what standards are and their benefits to your business. It describes the most common standards for achieving the best business practice, and tells you how to show that your products meet EU legal requirements.