Introduction to Standards Development l

Module Summary: Importance of Manufacturing Standards

This module highlights the strategic significance of manufacturing standards and their far-reaching impact on business operations, product development, and global market access. Participants will analyze how standards function as both technical frameworks and competitive tools, influencing everything from supply chain interoperability to regulatory compliance.

Special emphasis is placed on the necessity of active participation in standards development processes. By contributing to standardization efforts, organizations not only stay ahead of industry changes but also help shape the technical and commercial landscape in which they operate. The module drives home a key insight: lacking representation in standards-setting bodies limits an organization's ability to influence outcomes—ultimately ceding market control to competitors.

Learning Objectives:

In this module, students will learn how to:

• Explain how manufacturing standards influence business operations and product lifecycle decisions.

• Identify the risks of non-involvement in standards-setting activities.

• Describe how standards enable access to new and existing markets through harmonization and interoperability.