The Importance of Standards for Connected and Automated Driving [Connected and Automated Vehicles]

The whole of society is built on standards serving different purposes. The International Standards Organization (ISO) defines a standard as “a document that provides requirements, specifications, guidelines or characteristics that can be used consistently to ensure that materials, products, processes and services are fit for their purpose.” The National Institute of Standards and Technology, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, elaborates further: “Standards allow technology to work seamlessly and establish trust so that markets can operate smoothly. They provide a common language to measure and evaluate performance, make interoperability of components made by different companies possible, and protect consumers by ensuring safety, durability, and market equity.” In summary, products developed according to standards protect the health and safety of end users, at the same time ensuring environmental protection. Further, standards foster competition, and end users can select from a range of interoperable products because it is what standards do.