Standards & Codes of Practice

The Library has an extensive collection of current and historical Australian standards and codes of practice dating back to the early 1920s when Standards Australia was first established.

What's in the Standards & Codes of Practice Collection?

This collection includes Australian building standards, food standards and automotive design standards as well as British standards spanning eight decades from 1903 to 1989.

What are standards and codes of practice?

Standards and codes of practice ensure that a wide range of technical and commercial products and services conform to the highest levels of design, safety and efficiency. Standards exist for many different items including bathtubs, electrical wiring, sunscreens, security doors and clothing sizes. They are also developed for activities as varied as ecommerce, construction and accounting.

While standards and codes of practice are not laws as such, many have the force of the law behind them. A good example is the Australian Food Standards Code which determines how food is treated and what it contains.

How do I access material in this collection?

A selection of items from the Standards & Codes of Practice Collection is available for browsing and reading in the Information Centre.