Standards

Standards define best approach in many different areas.

A standard is a publication of a formal document (the standards), generally developed by consensus, containing the requirements a product, process or service should comply with. Standards are essentially voluntary in nature and producers can choose when to use them.

A document approved by a recognized body, that provides, for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for products or related processes and production methods, with which compliance is not mandatory

In Somalia, SOBS (Somali Bureau of Standards) is the sole body responsible for the production, development, adoption and publication of standards that provide requirements for materials, manufacturing, testing, packaging and labelling to ensure that products, processes and services are fit for their purpose

Standardization involves the development and provision of standards, and the supply of information on standards to interested parties, and takes place on various levels. Companies, trade associations and consortia may produce standards for their own purposes.

In essence, standards provide codified knowledge regarding materials, technologies, products and services, components, test methods and processes.

They are the result of an agreement among the interested and concerned parties (stakeholders) and incorporate the  distilled knowledge of experts in their subject matter, contributing to ensuring that products and services are safe, reliable and of good quality.

Standards are an essential element of the infrastructure of industrial societies, consumers and authorities to increase their  market opportunities through access to broader markets and faster development of new markets, efficient development and promotion of measures of public utility (supporting e.g. safety, security, protection of the environment and improved choice and access to goods and services.

SOBS have so far published  standards and also stocked many regional and international standards.