Every year on the 14th October, organisations including the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as well as industry leaders big and small, come together to mark World Standards Day, recognising the collaborative efforts of thousands of experts worldwide in developing voluntary technical agreements, or “standards”.
At Tomlinson Longstaff Ltd, a NICEIC registered electrical contractor operating across the North East, it’s more than a date in the calendar. It’s a chance to reflect on how robust standards underpin everything we do, from installation and maintenance to inspection and testing. Standards are the invisible backbone that ensures safety, reliability and consistency in what we deliver.
Recent years have seen the theme for World Standards Days linked to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for example, the 2024 theme focused on resilient infrastructure, inclusive industrialisation and innovation (SDG 9). This year’s related to frameworks to enable meaningful collaboration, highlighting the full 17 goals and how partnership can drive positive impact on each of these.
In the electrical industry, this global scope translates to practical, day-to-day realities through consistent wiring and earthing systems, safe installation of solar PV and battery storage, efficient and compliant fire alarm and emergency lighting systems. When every component, process and procedure aligns with recognised standards, the risk of failure decreases, performance improves, and our clients benefit.
At Tomlinson Longstaff, we take standards seriously. Whether we’re commissioning a large-scale solar installation or carrying out periodic testing on industrial switchgear, adherence to standards means we deliver peace of mind, not just tick a box.
But why does this even matter?
With the push for decarbonisation, growth in renewables, smart-grid technology, battery storage, EV charging infrastructure and increasingly complex industrial systems, consistency and standardisation aren’t optional, they are vital. Standards provide a “common language” for the changing electrical landscape.
For example, when we install large commercial solar and battery systems, we are working in an environment where standardised practices ensure system collaboration and exchange, safe working methods, and compliance, meaning what we deliver today is fit for tomorrow’s demands. As part of our commitment to best-practice in the North East electrical sector, we see standards as a tool for leadership, not merely compliance.
For World Standards Day 2025, we reaffirm our commitment to being a contractor who not only meets standards but champions them.
That means:
- keeping our team updated with the latest standards and industry guidance.
- executing every job with documented compliance, giving clients confidence in safety and quality.
- looking ahead and anticipating where standards are evolving (for new technologies) and positioning ourselves accordingly.
- educating clients to help you understand why we specify certain equipment, why procedures matter, and how standards protect both you and your assets.
Standards
Standards may not always make for glamorous headlines, but they make for safe, reliable, future-proof systems, and if you’re a business owner, facility manager or on the client side of an electrical project, standards should also matter to you. They ensure:
- longevity and adaptability, systems built to recognised standards are easier to upgrade or repurpose.
- systems operate as intended, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
- safety risks are managed and mitigated (for your staff, your assets, and your reputation).
- compliance with regulatory obligations, something every commercial or industrial site must factor.
Why choose Tomlinson Longstaff
By choosing a contractor like Tomlinson Longstaff, you’re choosing a partner that incorporates standards as a true foundations, from the very start. For us, standards are more than paperwork, they are the engine of trust, the guarantee of performance, and the mark of professionalism.
If you’d like to talk about how standards impact your next electrical project, whether it’s solar, battery storage, fire alarms or industrial installations, we’re here, ready to help.
Tomlinson Longstaff Ltd: setting the standard in electrical contracting across the North East.
Tomlinson Longstaff Ltd is an electrical contractor based in Country Durham, north east England. We offer a wide range of electrical services including design, testing, installation and maintenance.