This paper describes international statistical standards in the context of
the product life cycle. To set the stage, the historical evolution of stand
ardization is traced from the Xia Dynasty of China to the present, The tran
sition from local standards geared for manufacturing to national and then i
nternational standards is highlighted with acceptance sampling standards. I
nternational statistical standards now cover a broad range of topics beyond
acceptance sampling, so a scheme is needed to organize them into a coheren
t structure. The product life cycle provides just such a framework, The pro
duct life cycle (which is subsumed to include service, as well) is partitio
ned into four main "megaphases", namely: conception, development, delivery
and maturity and death. Each megaphase is linked to relevant statistical me
thods in general and statistical standards in particular. A gap analysis id
entifies potential future directions of statistical standards developments
and the attendant role that statisticians can continue to play in this aren
a.