I can only speak for the UK regulatory environment here, but actually the situation is better than you might imagine. The best example is alarming - there are s

I can only speak for the UK regulatory environment here, but actually the situation is better than you might imagine. The best example is alarming - there are some common alarm patterns (the pattern you beep and flash your lights) for different priorities of alarm. My understanding is that these aren't standrards you must adhere to, but because they're 'accepted' using them makes your life much easier with the regulators so everyone does unless they've got a good reason not to.