Any interested party can introduce a proposal for a new standard. Most standardization work is proposed through National Standards Bodies. Other stakeholders or partners may also submit proposals. At European level, European Commission can request the development of standards to support their policy and regulatory needs. New proposals are accepted by agreement (at European or international level, by a balloting of the national member organizations)

The standard is developed by consensus under the full responsibility of a Technical Committee (TC), generally delegated to a Working Group (WG). Once the WG and TC have agreed a final draft, it comes to the next stage.

The draft is released for one or more public comment stages. Everyone who has an interest can comment, even if they have not participated in the elaboration of the draft. These views are gathered and subsequently analyzed by the Technical Body. If they are relevant, are taken into account and the draft is updated with the new information.

The definitive draft is subjected to an approval (by consensus at national level, by balloting of the national members at european or international ones).

Following the approval of the standard, the standardization organization publishes it and makes it available to the public.

To ensure that the standardization catalogues are always updated, the different types of standards have specific requirements for further periodical review. This review results in the confirmation, modification, revision or withdrawal of the standard.