There are many ways that people use the word standard in conversation, I might be tempted to use it broadly, for example using ‘standard’ to describe an agreed way of doing things or to describe uniformity. Within the sector, the terms standards and benchmarks are often used interchangeably to describe a system to measure how you are performing. In a more precise sense, a standard is not necessarily agreed by all, it can be imposed by a standard issuing authority. Ask any child taking a standardised exam, most of them don’t agree with that way of doing things! A standard may specify interoperability rather than uniformity: so that distinct elements work together. The size of your mattress and a fitted sheet is an important standardisation for life. The CEN define a standard as ‘a technical document designed to be used as a rule, guideline or definition’. They claim it as a ‘consensus built, repeatable way of doing things’. I think the idea of standards is one of those ontological uncertainties, people don’t realise that they have different conceptions when they use the same word. Where precision matters it may be useful to frame any discussion on standards with an exploration of their meaning and purpose which may usefully expose distinctions and prevent future confusion
