A standard is "a recognized unit of comparison by which the correctness of others can be determined."
Scientific and Professional Organizations such as the ASTM, ASME, IEEE, trade organizations, and governments create and produce standards. Standards are produced nationally and internationally. In the United States, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) coordinates many standards producing organizations. ANSI is also the sole US representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
