World Standards Day 2024: Theme, History, Significance, and Global Standards

Observed annually on October 14, World Standards Day recognises the invaluable contributions of the thousands of experts who create voluntary standards to ensure that products and services meet expectations, making everyday life safer and more enjoyable. Join us as we explore the history, significance, and this year’s theme of World Standards Day, along with a look at some of the most influential international standards shaping industries worldwide.

World Standards Day: History

World Standards Day traces its origins to 1946, when delegates from 25 countries met in London and decided to establish an international organisation dedicated to promoting standardisation. The International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) was formed the following year, but it wasn’t until 1970 that the first World Standards Day was officially celebrated.

Today, national standards bodies and intergovernmental organisations around the world mark the occasion through a variety of events, including conferences, exhibitions, seminars, TV and radio interviews, and even week-long celebrations known as “World Standards Week.”

World Standards Day: Significance

The day honours the efforts of organisations such as the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) and many others. The aim of this day is to raise awareness about the standardisation of the global economy.

It is also important for various other reasons, including access to quality healthcare, effective policymaking and regulation, protecting patient privacy, and ensuring that systems are secure. In addition, WSD plays a role in achieving the UN sustainable development goals and promotes cooperation between public and private partners.

World Standards Day 2024: Theme

This year, the theme for World Standards Day is “Shared Vision for a Better World: Standards for the Changing Climate.” This theme focuses on the importance of collaboration to achieve shared goals, particularly in the matter of climate change. With this, the day promises to look at the various manners in which climate change can be improved globally.

Popular International Standards

1. ISO 9000 familyIt helps organisations with the quality management of their products and services.
2. ISO/IEC 27000It looks after the information security management like IT security, cybersecurity and privacy protection.
3. IWA 42/Net Zero GuidelinesA tool for policymakers to check net zero greenhouse gas emissions for their business, group or country.
4. ISO 45001It mainly focuses on occupational health and safety, reducing workplace risks.
5. ISO 639It is basically known as “language code”, which describes languages in an internationally accepted way.
6. ISO 4217It helps in avoiding confusion regarding the currency codes.
7. ISO 8601It is the internationally accepted standard format for using date and time globally.
8. ISO 13216It is the ISOFIX child seat for cars.
9. ISO 6It defines the camera film speed at which photographers are allowed to select the right film for their subject.
10. ISO 22000It looks after the food safety management.
11. The list also includes ISO 9660 (ISO images for computer files), ISO 14000 (Environmental management), ISO/IEC 17025 (Testing and calibration laboratories), ISO 13485 (Medical devices) and many others.