When the built environment is safe, building products are compatible, and energy efficiency can be compared reliably, there is almost always a standard behind it.
Standards affect our everyday lives more than many people realize. On World Standards Day, October 14, it's a good idea to pause and reflect on why standards are an important part of a functioning society and a sustainable built environment.
This year, the international standardization community is highlighting the importance of standards in enabling clean and affordable energy. The reliability, security and interoperability of energy systems do not arise by chance, but through commonly agreed rules of the game.
In the construction sector, the importance of standards extends far beyond energy. Standards create a common language for design, construction, product testing and the use of buildings. They enable a functioning internal market, facilitate the introduction of innovations and reduce uncertainty in investments. Standards are in practice the infrastructure of construction.
Construction companies have the opportunity to influence standards
Right now, the importance of standardization is particularly emphasized in the green transition. Energy efficiency of buildings, low-carbon, digitalization and the reuse of building components and materials require common operating methods and reliable procedures. Without them, the circular economy will easily remain as individual experiments and will not scale into normal construction.
However, standards do not arise by themselves. They are developed in cooperation between experts from companies, research institutes, authorities and organisations. In Finland, construction companies have exceptionally good opportunities to influence both European and international standardisation through national standardisation groups.
In the RT community, standardization is the responsibility of RTT, which acts as the construction industry's link to national, European (CEN) and international (ISO) standardization. RTT coordinates more than ten standardization groups and services, through which Finnish experts can participate in international work. At the same time, RTT maintains an extensive national working group network, where Finnish standards are developed and updated. If you have a need for a Finnish standard, please submit an initiative to the undersigned.
Standardization is often seen as a technical detail. In reality, it is about competitiveness, safety and building the markets of the future. What is agreed in standards today will be reflected in the products, services and built environment of tomorrow.
That's why standardization is not just a matter for experts. It is one of the most impactful ways to build a common, sustainable and functional future. Come join us!
Happy World Standards Day 14.10.2026
Tuuli Kunnas
Standardization manager, product manager
tuuli.kunnas@rt.fi +358 40 172 0073Rakennustuoteollisuus RTT ry
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