According to Statistics Canada's Policy on standards, a standard must include a statement regarding the degree to which its application is compulsory. The different degrees are:
Departmental standard
A standard that has been approved by the Policy Committee, and the application of which is therefore mandatory, unless an exemption has been explicitly obtained under the terms of this policy.
Recommended standard
A standard that has been recognized by the Methods and Standards Committee as a recommended standard, with or without a trial period of a specified duration, after which it may be declared as a departmental standard.
Program-specific standard
A standard adopted by a statistical program, and which is registered with Standards Division, to ensure consistency in a series over time periods.
Source(s): Statistics Canada "Policy on standards", Section 1: Guidelines for the development and documentation of standards, C. Guidelines. (accessed: January 9, 2017).