Sri Lanka, Oct. 14 -- Have you ever wondered why a debit card works at different ATM machines, why a plug fits safely into a socket, why an energy-efficient lamp delivers the expected performance or how a product purchased in one country can meet requirements in another? The answer lies in standards. Standards are not simply technical documents for engineers and manufacturers. They are an often-unseen framework that shapes our everyday lives, making products and services safer, more reliable, consistent and connected. Behind these standards are experts and organizations that bring together knowledge, experience and common requirements to develop solutions that work across industries and across borders.

The importance of this work is rec...