Quantum technology uses physics to achieve what today’s tech can’t - like unhackable communications and computers beyond supercomputers. It could reshape daily life with safer banking, better medicines, smarter climate tracking and faster supply chains.
Recognizing this, the UN named 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, marking its shift from labs to real-world impact. To ensure global success, standards bodies like BSI, IEC, and ISO are working to make systems secure, trusted, and interoperable.
In this episode, Matthew speaks to IBM’s Tony Holland and BSI’s Gavin Jones about quantum technology standards. Together, they take us on a journey in three parts: starting with the big picture of what quantum is and why global standards matter; moving to the UK’s role and the importance of mirror committees; and finally looking ahead to the UK’s strategy, the progress so far, and what’s coming next.
And because it’s The Standards Show, Tony and Gavin also reflect on their own standards journeys - what motivated them to get involved, and what continues to inspire their involvement today.
Find out more about the issues raised in this episode
ISO/IEC JTC3 – Quantum technologies
ISO/IEC 4879 – Quantum computing – vocabulary
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