Definition

The overall objective of standardization is to facilitate the production, handling or use of products or services in the framework of free trade and free market to the best possible satisfaction of both users and suppliers

The operational goal of standardization is to provide sets of consistent specifications – called "Standards" – to b e shared by all parties manufacturing the same products or providing the same services, and to form the basis of further developments.

A standard is a document, established by consensus and approved by a recognised body, that provides, for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given context.

References

CEN/ISSS (2005) Current and future standardization issues in the eHealth domain
Standardization Wikipedia Entry