Quality standards refer to a set of guidelines, criteria or specifications that define the level of quality for products, services or processes. These standards are used by organizations to ensure consistency and reliability in their offerings, as well as to meet customer expectations and maintain competitiveness within an industry. Quality standards can be established through various means such as regulatory requirements, industry best practices, or voluntary consensus standards developed by standard-setting organizations. Adherence to these standards is typically monitored through inspection, auditing, or certification processes to ensure that products and services meet the required level of quality.