In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, host David Jenkins sits down with Rod Balding, Chief Executive Officer of Standards Australia, to explore how national standards underpin the safety, innovation, and sustainability of Australia’s infrastructure and everyday life.Rod discusses how Standards Australia collaborates with over 7,000 volunteers to develop frameworks that impact everything from energy transition and water quality to infant safety. He shares insights on the challenges of attracting new generations of contributors, the vital role of storytelling in communicating standards, and how AI is being used to transform the standards development process.The conversation also touches on the recent renewal of Australia-New Zealand cooperation on joint standards, the future of accessibility and affordability in standards publishing, and the organisation’s push to make standards more user-friendly through digital innovation.Whether you’re an engineer, policymaker, or infrastructure leader, this episode offers a fascinating look into how standards drive safety, productivity, and innovation across every sector.