General:
* Guidelines
* Criteria
* Regulations
* Specifications
* Code
* Framework
* Protocol
* Norms
* Rules
* Principles
* Policies
* Requirements
More specific:
* Benchmarks (for performance or quality)
* Best practices (for methods or procedures)
* Codes of conduct (for ethical behavior)
* Quality standards (for products or services)
* Safety standards (for safety regulations)
* Industry standards (for specific industries)
Informal:
* Ground rules
* The way things are done
To choose the best word, consider:
* The context: What is the purpose of the standards?
* The level of formality: Are they formal regulations or informal guidelines?
* The specific area: What are the standards for (e.g., quality, safety, ethics)?
For example, if you're talking about the rules for a sporting event, you might use guidelines or rules. If you're talking about the quality of a product, you might use quality standards or specifications.