Generally, standards are instruments that provide specifications for products or processes. For example, fortification is one of those specifications that might in some cases come under the broader umbrella of food standards.
Example: A standard might, for instance, detail the amount of potassium iodate that should be added to iodize salt. The standard on its own is just that, a standard. Whether the standard is mandatory or not will likely be found in separate rules or regulations or other legal documents, whether a primary or secondary text. In other words, the primary text that supplies the power to an executive body to make the standard will define the status of the standard. For example, the primary text may state who should make a standard, how the standard should be made, and what the consequences of not adhering to the standard are. Another option could be that the implementation or enforcement of a standard might also be in another secondary text, such as a regulation. For example, in Nigeria, the regulations and the standards align with each other demonstrating coherence between these different legal documents and the regulations help specify the character of the standards, i.e. whether the standards themselves are binding or not.
See also executive, ministry, minister, regulatory agency, secondary text, executive, decree, guidelines in the primer on public law and regulation. Compare and contrast primary texts and legislature.
WTO, Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, Annex 1.