Reference is made to the recommendations of the Lemon Committee and the report of the Anglo-American Productivity Council regarding the necessity for an internal standardization organization in each manufacturing company. The economic case for such a department is considered and its requirements are examined. Comparison is made with past arrangements for internal standardization in large organizations.The terms of reference, the structure of the department and its relationship with other departments is next considered, together with their relative responsibilities to each class of standard. The different forms of standard and their functions are discussed, and the method of maintenance and the application of simplification principles are examined. Reference is made to co-ordination with external standardization policy.The paper concludes with an appeal for a greater degree of co-operation between manufacturers and for a greater exchange of information on these common problems.