In the paper, I have a list of some of the regulations in which standards are incorporated by reference. Some departments will take the “as amended from time to time” method, which allows new standards to be accepted as is when they are being published, so you don't need to go back and redraft your regulation every time. That's a good thing.
There are some departments here that are going a step further. For example, Health Canada has a regulation on medical devices, but they also have a list on their website of recognized standards that allow compliance with the medical devices regulation. This means you don't need to change your regulation every time a new hip replacement part comes up in the marketplace. You just need to add the new standard to the list.
I think that's a great way of doing things. It would make life simpler for industry and it would make life simpler for regulators as well, and it does not impact accountability, in my opinion.