Meteorological observations and studies have matured to a well-deserved status of scientific efforts focused on providing solutions to societal-scale problems. Utilizing voluntary consensus standards can further increase the value of the equipment produced and studies performed. The added value comes from an improved perception, by engineers and other technical professionals, of equipment and information produced by the meteorology community. Activities ranging from planning investigations through equipment procurement and evaluating results can benefit from referencing standards to succinctly communicate a wealth of information.

ASTM International and the International Standards Organization have meteorology committees producing voluntary consensus standards that provide sound technical tools for decision makers and technical evaluators. Current standards include methods of testing basic instrument characteristics and practices of making measurements. ASTM has a guide on statistical comparisons of atmospheric dispersion models. Following a summary of current and developing standards, guidance is presented on how more people can utilize existing standards produce new standards. This encouragement is directed not only to equipment manufacturers, but to those responsible for routine observations and research studies. Some U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and American Nuclear Society monitoring guidance reference the ASTM standards.