Which of the following statements regarding industry-established standards and codes used in professional practice iscorrect?

Industry codes and standards are developed to promote consistent, safe, reliable, and quality outcomes in design, construction, manufacturing, and operations. NPPE materials emphasize that standards often represent minimum acceptable practice and are key tools for managing risk and protecting the public. Therefore, B is correct. A is false because employer/internal standards cannot override applicable laws, regulations, or mandatory codes; internal standards may be more stringent but cannot legitimately replace required external standards. C is false because many standards become legally enforceable when adopted by legislation, regulation, permits, contracts, or referenced by authorities having jurisdiction; even when not directly legislated, they may be used to establish the standard of care in negligence. D is false because exceeding codes/standards can be appropriate and necessary based on risk, site conditions, uncertainty, or public safety considerations; it is not inherently unprofessional or wasteful. Thus, B best reflects the role of standards in professional practice.