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Find Standards and Codes: Find Standards

In this guide, you'll find information about standards and codes at CU Boulder and how to find them; standards issuing organizations, including those that provide free access; as well as how to obtain standards not held by the Libraries.

What are technical standards?

  • Guidelines for processes, materials and products that ensure quality, safety and interchangeability of parts
  • Usually written by industrial/professional organizations, business groups, and government bodies
  • There are both national and international standards

Finding Standards

Do you have the standard title or number?

Do you have the standard title or number?

If you have a standard title:

  1. Search in the CU catalog to see if the library owns the standard.
  2. If you cannot find the standard, request assistance from a librarian by sending us an email.

If you have a standard number:

  1. Go to the website of the issuing organization to find a title.
  2. Search in their catalog by keyword or number to find a title.
  3. Once you find a title, search the CU catalog to see if the library owns the standard.
  4. If you cannot find the standard, request assistance from a librarian by sending us an email.

Do you need to find a standard for a topic?

Do you need to find a standard for a topic (but have no title or standard number)?

  1. Search the internet for standards on your topic to see which issuing organizations may be appropriate. If you'd like assistance, please send us an email.
  2. Go to the website of the appropriate issuing organization.
  3. Search in their catalog by keyword or number for a title.
  4. Once you find a title, search the CU catalog to see if the library owns the standard.
  5. If no copy of the standard is available, request assistance by sending us an email.

Engineering, Science and Design Librarian

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Emily Dommermuth
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