A standard offers a solution for a situation / possibility that occurs or could occur repeatedly. Something that is used once does not need to be normalized. After all, it is not used by others anyway. It is conceivable, however, that single-piece products are also built up from standard parts and / or are made using standardized methods:

• A tailor who makes tailor-made suits takes the size in a standard way and puts standard buttons on it in a standard way.
• A ship is usually made on customer specification, but using standardized design and manufacturing methods. A shipbuilder makes near-customization for each customer, by assembling the ships from standard modules, giving a few variants per module, for example a number of types of wheelhouses, a number of rudders, etc.

The use of standard methods and standard elements thus enables far-reaching adaptation to a wide variety of customer requirements, without the products becoming too expensive.

Advantages for producers

The main advantages of standardization for producers are:

Better business operations

By using standard methods and standard components, business operations can be organized more efficiently.

Greater market acceptance

Standardization brings continuity to what the company does and to the level at which it does it. The customer therefore knows where he stands. That creates confidence.

Advantages for customers

For customers, the main advantages of standardization are:

Greater certainty

The buyer gains more certainty through continuity in the supplier’s offer.

Lower price

Uniform mass production is of course cheaper than customization for each customer. But the market wants diversity. In many cases, standardization can provide “underlying unit”: if a car were not standardized to under the hood, the manufacturer would not be able to offer a variety of types for a low price, given the technical quality of the product. Examples include differences in engine power, number of doors, or color of the upholstery. Standardization also leads to savings in other ways, for example through better connectivity, lower inventory costs and less material losses.

Safety

Many product standards contain safety requirements and / or test methods to determine whether a product is safe.

Advantages for holders of innovative concepts

Standardization has important advantages for innovative concepts.

Complete the quick scans and booster scan and determine the standardization potential of your concept.

To determine what standardization and NEN can mean for your concept, start with the quick scan of the orientation phase.