Standardization of Products

In the marketing of the products, it is essential for the economy and facility that the products be divided into separate groups or categories in such a manner so that there are the uniform characteristics of the products in any particular group. In the modern production system, where the production is undertaken on a large scale, the grouping of the products of the similar or same qualities and characteristics, is very important and this very process ;s known as the `standardization'.

Within the process of standardization, the definite criteria of the products are prescribed and thereafter, the produced goods are tested on the basis of those criteria. Among these, on the basis of the quality, size, kind, color, shade, etc., their standards are determined. If some product is standardized, it easily captures the con­fidence of the masses. The commodities that have been standardized are directly purchased by the customers, without any further check­ing, testing or enquiries, etc.

In the opinion of Clark and Clark, Standardization is a common word in which the standards of the manufactured products are laid down and the products are inspected, by which it could be seen as to which standards do they conform to and where necessary, these products are sorted out in the categories conforming to the standards laid down.

In the opinion of Alford, The meaning of 'standardization' is to lay down the `standards' by which are estimated or assessed the limits, quantities, kind, price, production or service and in the ver­sion of layman, the production is given the best form.

Kulkarni has opined that the meaning of 'standardization' is the product of one specifically uniform kind. It presents an ideal specimen or example. The standardization indicates only that the particular product contains the specific qualities.

Advantages of Standardization

There are many advantages of standardization to the con-miners, society and the sellers, which are being given hereunder

(1)   Facility in Buying the Things. If the things are standardized, the consumers are not required to waste their time in check­ing its quality and they are facilitated in buying the products. Really, the consumers are saved of checking the products before their purchase.

(2)   Facility to Sellers in Selling the Products. The standardized goods could be sold only on the basis of their description. No need is there for the thorough checking of the product. The standardized products are also convenient to be advertised. The standardized things could also be sold on the basis of their home-delivery.

(3)   Increase in Demand. Due to the confidence regarding I Ike kind, form, size, etc., the demand of the standardized products Increases.

(4)   Facility in Financial Arrangements. Since the prices and the quality of the standardized goods could easily be undertaken, hence the financers easily advance the money on the security of these products.

(5)   Less Risk of Price Fluctuations. It is also observed that there are not many fluctuations in the prices of the standardized goods. Hence, there is not much risk or danger in the purchase of such products

(6)     Facility of Physical Transfer of the Products. It is seen that the standardized products are packed in a specific kind of the cartons or containers and due to it, there is no inconvenience in sending them from one place to the other. There is also experienced some economy in putting and sending the standardized goods from one place to the other.

(7)   Increased Goodwill of Producers. Such manufacturers, who produce the standardized type of the goods, acquire good reputa­tion in the market soon and for keeping their goodwill maintained well, they always try to manufacture the goods of one and the same standard.

(8)   Consumers Saved of Cheating in Prices. The prices of standard products are almost similar or uniform throughout the country. The difference might occur due to some of the local taxes only. Regarding the prices of the standardized products, there is no sort of deception with the consumers.

(9)   Improvement in Information Regarding Marketing. For the distribution of every sort of market information, the knowledge is essential of the fact that any particular product is re­lated to which variety or kind. Such information could easily be given regarding the standardized goods. For instance, if this information is to be given that 'ghee' has been received, the reader won't under­stand it in the real sense. But if the information is given that the Amul Pure Ghee has been received and is easily available, all would understand its real sense.