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Center for Materials Informatics Research Guide: Standards

Last Updated: Dec 2, 2024 11:09 AM

What are Standards?

"Think of [standards] as a formula that describes the best way of doing something."
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 

"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.

NIST

Standards at UB

The University at Buffalo Libraries has a growing collection of standards and specifications. All ASTM, IEEE, and SAE standards are now accessible online, as well as ASCE 7 (see databases listed on the right side of the screen to access). Other select standards are available through other platforms or various ebook databases. Some other standards are available in print. Use the tabs above to find U.S. and international standards here at UB, as well as information regarding government regulations and standards.

If you are having trouble locating a standard you need, please contact Engineering Librarian Erin Rowley (epautler@buffalo.edu). We may be able to point you to a freely accessible copy (see more information under the tab above labeled "Obtaining Standards") or we may be able to purchase a copy. 

Word cloud with standards developing organizations

Searching for Standards

You can use standards databases to search for standards by keyword or topic (e.g., footwear). Intertek Inform and the ANSI Webstore are two popular options and cover standards worldwide (although not ALL standards developing organizations are represented in these tools, they do have great range).

  • Intertek Inform (a standards provider)  
    Search 1.6 million+ standards and industry codes from more than 360 standards agencies worldwide. Standards can be purchased directly from Intertek Inform in PDF or print formats.
     
  • ANSI WebStore
    Search for ANSI, ASTM, ISO, IEC, and other standards publishers by keyword or document number. Be sure to re-set the search box to "KEYWORD" if searching that way. This will provide you with the acronym and name of the publishing organization (as well as a standard number and the title of the standard).

Other specialized indexes exist for military standards, federal standards, foreign national standards, etc. These indexes are identified and cited in the respective sections accessible through the tabs above. Links are provided to the web version of an index where one is available.

More Standards Information

For more information on standards, please refer to the Standards and Specifications Research Guide links below:


In addition, refer to the Research Guide for information on obtaining standards UB does not own as well as citing standards.

Full Text Access to Standards

Engineering Librarian

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Erin Rowley
Contact:
119 Lockwood Library
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14260
epautler@buffalo.edu
716-645-1369