(1) Standardisation : The term standard means an object, quality or measure serving as a basis or example to which others should confirm. It is a criterion, rule norm or measurement used for distinguishing one product from another so far its quality is concerned. Accordingly standardisation means fixing or determining certain norms or criteria with regard to the quality of a product. It may be related to process, size, quality, design, weight, colour, etc. of the product. It is a mental process of establishing standard as indicator of certain quality. It facilitates grading. Standardised commodities are easily and quickly sold even at high price in the market due to uniformity in their quality. Standardisation helps to achieve customers’ loyalty towards the product.
(2) Grading : The term ‘grade’ means a class or a category. Accordingly grading means physical sorting or classifying of products into different categories of similar characteristics or quality or set standards. Grading is done on the basis of certain features like size, shape, quality, etc. On the basis of grading, the goods are described as superior, good, better, best, inferior, medium, etc. It is necessary in agriculture, dairy, forest and mineral products. Standardisation and grading are interrelated process because without standardisation grading cannot take place and standardisation has no scope without grading.
