Term used also in other languages to identify a norm or a specification that describes the test methods and/or the characteristics of a particular product. The standards can be national (Italian UNI, AFNOR French, German DIN, British BS, Spanish UNE, ON Austrian, Dutch NEN, ...), European (CEN) and international (ISO). Unless it is harmonized at European level (HEN) under special mandate by the European Commission and, therefore, with effects of law on the entire territory of the European Community, the standards are of a voluntary.
