The history of technical standards can be traced back to ancient civilizations, such as the Roman Empire, which established standard measurements for construction and trade. As their armies marched across Western Europe, their influence ushered in a period of expansion and innovation, introducing new techniques and tools to conquered lands. The art of blacksmithing flourished under Roman influence as forge welding became more prevalent, enabling artisans to shape metal with greater precision so that every blacksmith, irrespective of where they were located within the Roman Empire, could consistently produce arms and armour for Roman troops to a common standard.

The expansion of the Roman Empire provided a platform for the establishment of guild structures that emerged in the late Middle Ages in Europe. These Guilds were an essential and stabilizing economic influence in Medieval Europe, and dominated craft and trade spaces. Guilds were responsible for establishing technical and trade standards for their profession or craft, and Guild members found guilty of cheating the public would be fined or banned from the Guild.

Though most Guilds died off by the middle of the nineteenth century, the need for standards in craft and trade practices remained.

The modern concept of technical standards emerged during the Industrial Revolution, as standardization became essential for the mass production of goods and the development of complex systems, such as railways and telecommunications. Common standards provide:

· Improved compatibility and interoperability of products and systems.
· Enhanced safety and reliability.
· Facilitated innovation and technological progress.
· Reduced costs and increased efficiency through economies of scale.

In South Africa, the South African Bureau of Standards is the national standardization authority responsible for promoting and maintaining standards and quality in connection with commodities and the rendering of services. SABS experts represent South Africa's interests in the development of international standards, through their engagement with bodies such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the American National Standards institute (ANSI). SABS also holds the Secretariat for SADCSTAN, the standardization body for the Southern African Development Community. The SABS is also a member of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) that holds a mandate to harmonise African standards and reduce technical barriers to trade across the continent.

Several of these standards are available to SACIA members in good standing. Please ensure you are logged into this site to access standards.

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