How globalised standards power the economy and are local standards an option?

‘Standards’ are the common technical language for trade partners throughout the world. Standardisation serves as the invisible yet powerful framework that drives efficiency, safety, and interoperability across industries and countries. 

The foundational understanding for this, I had attempted to provide through my anecdotal LinkedIn post which detailed the challenges encountered by a German merchant in the 16th century, due to the existence of 112 different measures of length, 80 different measures of weight and 123 varying measures of volume in a small part of Germany itself.

Industrialisation and growth of free trade necessitated standardised practices and products. As industries expanded and the demand for complex devices increased, the need for consistency and interoperability became paramount. Consequently, standards evolved from individual enterprises to national, and eventually, international levels.

The history of some prominent standards:

• The Julian and Gregorian calendars: Harmonising time 

Calendars are vital systems for dividing time into extended periods like days, months, or years, arranged in a specific order. They play a crucial role in regulating civil life, religious observances, and historical and scientific activities.

They also address the crucial civilisational needs to measure periods for agricultural, business, or other purposes. The first practical calendar, evolving from these requirements, was the Egyptian calendar, which the Romans

later developed into the Julian calendar in 45 BC. This calendar served Western Europe for over 1,500 years until the Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582. This improvement provided a system drawing together religious festivals and seasonal activities, and was almost universally adopted. This is an example of successful universalisation of a standard. Now let us see what happens when standards stay fragmented and regionalised.

• Left or right handed drive: Unresolved global divide

The distinction between left- and right- hand driving is another example of varying standards across the world.

Approximately 35 per cent of the global population drives on the left with the steering on the right (Right Hand Drive), This is so mainly in countries that were once part of the British Empire.

Historically, left-side driving or riding whether on chariots or horseback were common because it allowed right-handed swordsmen to defend themselves more effectively. Additionally, mounting horses from the left side was easier and safer, reinforcing this practice.

However, in the late 1700s, practical considerations led to a shift in some countries. In France and the United States, charioteers driving large wagons with multiple horses, sat on the left rear horse (Left Hand Drive) to keep their right arm free for whipping. This led to traffic moving to the right so drivers could sit closer to the center of the road and feel more in control of their vehicle or mount. Over time, many countries adopted right-sided driving, but former British colonies retained the left-side standard.

Today, several issues arise from differences in left- and right-hand driving. Cars are typically designed for either left- hand or right-hand driving, with controls and visibility optimised accordingly.

Trading of vehicles between countries with different systems can require costly modifications, such as moving the steering wheel and pedals. The need to modify vehicles for different driving systems create trade barriers, reduced market competition, and result in higher prices for consumers. Regulations related to the trade of vehicle are more complex and costly. At borders between countries with different driving systems, the infrastructure has to accommodate the transition, such as crossover bridges or complex traffic management systems, which further increases the cost.

Driving licenses and regulations vary between countries with different driving systems, creating additional hurdles for international drivers.

Electric Plugs: 15 different routes to power:

The modern electrical outlet, a convenience often taken for granted, has undergone significant development since its early days of do-it-yourself wiring and light-bulb socket plugs.

As electricity came to homes through the bulb, before the invention of 2- or 3-pin plugs, electrical equipment was connected directly to light bulb sockets. Electricity was supplied to homes via these sockets, and the method to power on or off involved hooking into or unhooking from the socket.

Consequently, all appliances were designed with a light bulb-like powering system that required hooking and unhooking for operation. There was no concept of switches or pinned plugs at that time. For instance, early washing machines had to be plugged in by connecting to the light bulb socket. The abrupt start of these machines often led to accidents, particularly for women whose hair could get caught in the machinery. This safety hazard was a significant factor in the widespread adoption of pinned plug sockets.

The first pinned plug originated in Britain in 1880s and had two pins. The most significant advancement came from Philip F. Labre in 1928, who added a third ground prong to the plug to reduce electrical shock risks. This ground prong provides an alternative “path of least resistance” for electricity to flow to the ground, bypassing the person. Labre’s design, featuring two prongs for live and neutral wires and a grounding prong, became the model for modern outlets.

Variations in plug designs and socket types worldwide, such as different-sized prongs in the US and various shapes in Europe and Japan, reflect the continued evolution of electrical outlets.

There are currently 15 types of electrical plugs used worldwide: Type A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, and O. Each type varies in design, voltage, and frequency standards.

The global diversity in electrical plugs presents significant challenges for manufacturers, travellers, and consumers. Products designed for one type of plug may not be easily sold in countries using a different type, limiting market access and consumer choice.

Manufacturers need to produce different versions of their products to fit various plug types, increasing production and logistics costs. Travelers need to carry multiple plug adapters to use their electronic devices in different countries, which is inconvenient and adds to travel costs. Additionally, not all adapters work perfectly with all types of plugs, leading to potential damage to devices or difficulty in using electrical appliances. The need for multiple adapters and different plug designs contributes to electronic waste, as these items are often discarded after travel or when moving to a new country.

The global need for standardisation

The journey of standardisation, from the Julian calendar to modern electrical outlets, highlights the importance of creating uniform systems to manage the complexities of daily life. These standards facilitate consistency, safety, and efficiency, reflecting the continuous efforts to adapt and improve in response to changing needs and technological advancements. The transition from left- to right-hand driving and the diversity in standardised electrical plugs further highlight how important is standardisation for fostering global interoperability and safety. Harmonised standards ensure compatibility, enhance efficiency, and facilitate international trade and travel. Another praiseworthy example of standardisation is that of containerisation in shipping. Many experts say that standardising container size has been one of the greatest catalysts for globalisation.

Similarly, in the healthcare space, medical devices should adhere to the same standards worldwide. This would facilitate the standardisation of training globally, crucial for doctors and healthcare workers who are often internationally mobile and need to operate devices proficiently anywhere. With more than 20% of the global non- native healthcare workforce being of Indian origin and the government’s plan to export 300,000 healthcare workers annually, it is essential for these professionals to be fluent with globally standardised medical devices. This would also benefit internationally mobile patients and boost medical tourism. Embracing standardisation, particularly in healthcare, will drive global progress, and ensure that we meet evolving healthcare needs with consistency and efficiency.