The meta-standard: a new standard for standardization management

How do you keep on top of your standards? Standardization management (SM) enables efficient drafting, development and maintenance of industry standards. BS 202000:2020, Standardization management system – Specification,sets out requirements for a standardization management system (SMS).

What are the benefits of an SMS, and what are the key principles for building one?

Standardization removes ambiguity

Using a standard helps to establish clarity about what processes should be followed in a particular matter and what is expected from suppliers and partners. By setting out a standardized set of rules, guidance or parameters, a task can be completed in accordance with a relevant standard.

By using a standard, an organization can ensure consistency and quality, remove the scope for misinterpretation and avoid making costly mistakes. A standard helps to define ‘what good looks like’ so employees and suppliers alike can measure their performance. Standards also contribute to more efficient use of resources, better risk management and protection of people and the environment, and the ability to deliver a consistent and reliable level of service.

However, managing standards can become challenging in complex industries where many standards are deployed, especially where intricate supply chains are involved. Disruption from external events such as adverse weather, the COVID-19 pandemic or the adoption of new technologies, means that it is more important than ever to stay on top of training, development and processes.

In highly regulated sectors, demonstrating that an effective system of standards is in place to ensure compliance with relevant rules and regulations is an essential part of compliance. An SMS gives an invaluable overview of standards in use within an organization, making it easier to update and amend to meet changes in regulation.

There are considerable consequences to using out-of-date standards. In sectors such as defence and aerospace, errors relating to standards could cause significant increases in cost and effectiveness of products, or even lead to safety issues.

What does BS 202000 cover?

BS 202000 is a tool for helping organizations understand what an SMS should do and how to improve their own SMS in an effective and systematic way. This should help to reduce commercial and technical risks associated with poor SM.

The new standard gives guidance on identifying measurable criteria for effective SM within an SMS. This should help to create the right culture and behaviours within an organization in order to deliver vendor and supplier confidence.

The standard also assists with organizational training and competence levels, ensuring that these are correctly aligned for standardization personnel. The standard is likely to be of most interest to procurement managers, risk managers and compliance managers in sectors such as defence, aerospace, automotive, chemical and pharmaceutical, construction, electronics, energy, nuclear, security and space.

The standard contributes to Goal 9 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in relation to building a resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.

Benefits of using the standard

Using BS 202000 should enable organizations to work more effectively and reliably. By facilitating the intelligent selection and implementation of standards, it enhances product and service safety, quality and process efficiencies. It optimizes the variety of products and services and facilitates increased interoperability of products, services and processes.

The standard supports the exchange of information between organizations and the dissemination of technology, improves the compatibility of products and services in international markets, and reduces transition costs.

In addition, the standard should contribute to improved governance and assurance, defined and adaptable system architectures, clear accountability and reduced risk and also contribute to standards evolution. In this way, it will bring many benefits to users when implemented systematically, helping to reduce costs and improve competitiveness.

An essential role in the defence sector

BS 202000 was proposed, and its development driven, by the Ministry of Defence. It is based on new processes and tools developed within the defence sector, and as such will have an important part to play in linking prime, second- and third-tier defence suppliers as well as those involved in procurement, risk and compliance in complex manufacturing settings.

As a measure of how much importance it places upon the new standard, the Ministry of Defence has indicated that conformance with BS 202000 will be required for all contracts over £5m. Conformity can be demonstrated through self-determination and self-declaration, through confirmation by an external party, or through certification and registration with an external organization.

The new standard is available to purchase and download from the BSI online shop.