Standards bodies
Codes and standards for the design and construction of reactors

Standardization is increasingly seen as a major strategic element, particularly as a factor in productivity through its impact on design, production and distribution processes, a factor in quality through better product adaptation and the associated certification processes, and a vector for technology transfer, which is generally required in international trade. As such, standardization is a key factor in global economic competition.

Normative texts are made up of codes and standards situated between regulatory requirements at the top, and manufacturers' specifications or guides published under the aegis of professional bodies at the bottom (figure