The Value of Standards in Disaster Management and Disaster Risk Reduction

This paper defines the concept of a standard and explains how standards are formulated and what they usually consist of. It then considers the potential for standardisation as a means of improving the quality of civil protection and disaster risk reduction activities. Methodologies for applying standards are explained. Alternatives to standards are described, including manuals of best practice, guidelines and benchmarks. The paper goes on to review eight existing standards that are relevant to the management of disasters and risks. In each case the development and content of the standard is considered, and its pros and cons are evaluated. An abbreviated recipe for creating a standard is presented. Finally, it is concluded that standards are useful for guaranteeing the quality and content of products and services in civil protection, but their limitations must be taken into account.

Keywords:

Civil protection , Disaster management , Disaster risk reduction , Standard