A national standards body is the organization a country designates to write that country’s standards and to represent it in international standards work. It publishes voluntary standards, runs the mirror committees, and casts the country’s vote. A regulator may then make one of those standards mandatory. The body itself usually cannot.
In the United Kingdom that publication is a British Standard (BS). The body writes and sells the standard. A ministry decides whether a statute will point to it.
What the Body Does
- National standards. Documents anyone may use, carrying the country’s prefix.
- A vote abroad. The country’s position in international committees.
- Not a statute. Adoption into law is a separate act by the government.
Standards Body and a Regulator
| Compared | The Standards Body | A Regulator |
| Writes the voluntary text | Yes | Usually no |
| Makes it mandatory | No | May do so by rule |
| Represents the country abroad | Yes | No |