Standards define uniform specifications, techniques, measurements, and methodologies that guide engineering design, industry practices, and product performance. They may be mandatory or voluntary and help ensure quality, safety, interoperability, and consistency. Many older editions of engineering standards are available in print at the Grainger Engineering Library. Some standards are also accessible online through subscription databases.

For assistance with locating a specific standard, please consult the Standards and Technical Reports or email the Grainger Engineering Library (enginlib@library.illinois.edu). We may be able to purchase standards upon request from faculty members

Standards & Technical Report Resources

These are general resources to help locate and explore standards and technical reports.

• i2i Standards Management

The University Library does not have a subscription through ILI Standards InfoBase, but it is a good database to search for more information. Under certain circumstances, Grainger Engineering Library may be able to purchase standards that we do not have access to. Please contact the Grainger Engineering Library (enginlib@library.illinois.edu).

• NIST- U.S National Institute of Standards & Technology

This includes the Standard Reference Data Group and the Standard Reference Materials Group.

• OSHA - Occupational Safety & Health Administration

Offers downloadable safety standards and technical guidelines, most in accessible HTML or PDF formats.

• TRAIL - Technical Report Archive & Image Library

A digital archive of U.S. government technical reports, primarily pre-1975, digitized and searchable online.