Standards-are they a benefit?

The author reviews the impact of standards on the work of the engineer, with illustrations from the switchgear industry. Not many engineers are familiar with the processes and objectives of the international standards industry, so a brief description of its workings is given; then its output is critically analysed with the intention of making the working engineer question the importance to his industry of the work going on. It is concluded that if the provision of these standards is beneficial, then it is recommended that industry takes a stronger interest in the process