DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "CODE" & "STANDARD"

Code

Code is always a set of rules or definitions that is established after centuries of continuous
experiments, expert judgments and continuous elaboration that specifies the minimum
acceptable attributes for a particular product, service, result, technical issue and so on for
society’s will.

For example: International Building Codes (IBC) obligates the incorporation of Fire Protection
and Prevention system into building construction.

Standard

Standard is always a set of detailed rules, processes, procedures and guidelines developed,
tested and determined as a good practice for the delivery of referenced particular product,
service, result, in strict conformity with requirements (definitions & attributes) established
(stated) by code.

Example (Fire Protection and Prevention system in Building): Almost all the countries in the
world have their own standards for fulfillment of the Fire Prevention and Protection needed in
the buildings. Russian Standards may consider one approach and US may consider another.

Every standard specifies a distinct system that can fulfill the Fire Prevention and Protection
objective in a building so there may be more than one standard developed for a specific practice
to fulfill the requirements of a particular code for mentioned practice.

Simply, Codes are the minimum requirements and attributes which are directly concerned with
(influencing) human life and civilization

and

The Standards are the technical ways toward fulfilling them.

Codes are supplements for law and Standards are approaches to meet Code,
 Difference Between Code, Standard and Specification

CODE STANDARD SPECIFICATION

Enforceable by Law or by Globally accepted “how to Must meet requirements by

contract instruction” Contracts

Written by government or Written by public organization

Written by private companies
government approved body or by government body

Guidelines for design,

Set of technical definitions and Additional requirements,
fabrication, construction and
guidelines for manufacturing beyond code & standard
installation

ASME, BS, IS, DIN ASTM, SAE, ISO Shell DEP, EIL Spec.