Standardization documents, is the result of national, European or international standardization processes. According to ELOT EN 45020, standardization documents may be standards, technical specifications, codes of practice, rules or technical regulations.
According to ELOT EN 45020:
“Standard” is a document, established by consensus and approved by a recognized 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.
Recognized bodies are the national standardization bodies. Each standard is of voluntary use, except if legislative or other requirements impose their implementation.
“Technical Specification” is a document that prescribes technical requirements to be fulfilled by a product, process or service.
“Code of practice” is a document that describes practices or procedures for the design, manufacture, installation, maintenance or utilization of equipment, structures or products.
“Regulation” is a document providing binding legislative rules that is adopted by an authority.
“Technical Regulation” is a regulation that provides technical requirements, either directly or by referring to or incorporating the content of a standard, technical specification or code of practice.
A technical regulation may be supplemented by technical guidance that outlines some means of compliance with the requirements of the regulation i.e. a deemed-to-satisfy provision.