Standardization and Industry Standards: De Jure, De Facto, and JIS for the IT Passport Exam

What is Standardization?

Standardization refers to unifying the specifications of products, services, and processes. Its goals include ensuring compatibility, stabilizing quality, reducing costs, and improving safety. The IT Passport exam asks about the types of standards and standards bodies.

The Two Major Categories of Standards

De Jure Standards (Official Standards)

Standards set by official standardization organizations are called de jure standards. Specific examples include the international standard ISO, the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Their advantage is high fairness and transparency.

De Facto Standards (Standards in Practice)

Standards that have become de facto industry standards due to market prevalence are called de facto standards. Examples include the Windows OS, PDF, the QWERTY keyboard layout, and HTTP. While they can spread based on real-world usage, there is a risk of dependency on specific companies.

Forum Standards (Consortium Standards)

Standards established by a consortium of multiple companies are called forum standards. Examples include standards set by the Bluetooth SIG and the Wi-Fi Alliance.

Major Standards Bodies

JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards)

The Japanese Industrial Standards were formerly called the Japanese Industrial Standards (the name in Japanese changed from 日本工業規格 to 日本産業規格) but the name was changed in 2019. They stipulate the quality, dimensions, and testing methods of industrial products. The JIS mark is awarded to products that pass inspection by a certification body.

Key Points for the IT Passport Exam

The difference in definition between de jure and de facto standards frequently appears on the IT Passport exam. You also need to memorize the names and scopes of major standards bodies. Additionally, the exam asks about the 2019 renaming of JIS (from "Industrial" to "Industrial" in English, but reflecting a change in the Japanese terminology).

Typical Past Exam Question Patterns

• "Which of the following corresponds to a de facto standard?" type → Windows, PDF, etc.
• "Which is the international standards body for the electrical and electronic fields?" type → IEC

Related Terms

• ISO standards (ISO9001, 14001, 27001)
• Business models (List of major business models)

Study Tips

It's helpful to memorize the contrast in one line: de jure standards are official, de facto standards are practical. Organizing standards bodies by region (International, US, Japan) makes them easier to understand. Be sure to also memorize the 2019 name change of JIS.

Summary

For standardization questions, you can reliably score points by mastering the two major categories and knowledge of the main standards bodies. For comprehensive practice on the Strategy domain, please use the Strategy summary. For practice in an exam-like format, the mock exam is recommended.