BeginnerTopic 5 of 102Manufacturing, Robotics & Systems
Codes, standards and regulations
ISO, IEC and local codes provide shared safety and quality requirements.
In depth
Standards (ISO, IEC, ASTM, IEEE, EN) specify test methods, dimensions, performance and safety; codes are standards adopted by law; regulations are legal requirements. Compliance enables interoperability, safety and market access (CE, UL, FCC). Certification involves testing and audits.
Key points
- Voluntary vs mandatory
- Harmonised standards
- Conformity assessment
ExampleA medical device must comply with IEC 60601 electrical safety standards.
What is Codes, standards and regulations?
ISO, IEC and local codes provide shared safety and quality requirements.
Why is it important to understand codes, standards and regulations?
Standards capture agreed knowledge about safety and quality, so following them protects users and makes products interchangeable worldwide.
What is the difference between a standard and a regulation?
A standard is a voluntary agreed specification, while a regulation is a legal requirement that must be followed in a given jurisdiction.
Who writes standards?
Bodies such as ISO and IEC, national standards institutes and professional societies, with input from industry, regulators and experts.
How is Codes, standards and regulations used in practice?
Typical applications include specifying an IEC standard for an electrical enclosure, using an ISO quality system in a supplier's factory and following a national building code for a new structure.
What should I learn before Codes, standards and regulations?
Study "Engineering ethics" first (topic 4 of 102 in Manufacturing, Robotics & Systems). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
What are the key points of Codes, standards and regulations?
Voluntary vs mandatory. Harmonised standards. Conformity assessment.
Can you give an example of Codes, standards and regulations?
A medical device must comply with IEC 60601 electrical safety standards.
What comes after Codes, standards and regulations?
The next topic is "Technical communication", which builds directly on this one.
How difficult is Codes, standards and regulations?
It is classed as Beginner in Manufacturing, Robotics & Systems (topic 5 of 102). It is an entry-level topic. It relies only on basic school mathematics and the ideas introduced earlier in this discipline.