Industry standards
Industry standards help create new mass markets. Think how the CD revolutionized the way we buy and store music, computer games and other data.

Standards are necessary because they ensure interoperability. They can also make products easier for consumers to understand and let manufacturers realize economies of scale. Moreover, they can lead to safer, more reliable products.

Philips is a major player in developing industry standards for many areas, including:
Broadcast – Digital Audio/Video – Digital Rights Management (DRM) / Content Management – (Wireless) Connectivity – Lighting – Healthcare – Optical Storage – Mobile Communication
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Formal standards and regulations
Formal standards and regulations are enforced by governments. They cover issues such as safety, environmental impact and electrical interference levels. Regulations protect consumers and ensure a level playing-field for all businesses – by making sure, for instance, that no-one can undercut the competition by cutting corners.

These regulations are based on formal standards defined by dedicated standards development organizations. Many companies, including Philips, work with these organizations to ensure the regulations meet the needs of both consumers and the industry.
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