ガイドライン

がいどらいん
noun
guideline
1. guideline, set of standards
A set of recommendations or standards issued by an authority or organization, providing direction on how something should be done.
ガイドライン(したが)
To follow the guidelines.
New guidelines were announced.
厚生(こうせい)労働省(ろうどうしょう)感染症(かんせんしょう)対策(たいさく)ガイドライン改定(かいてい)した
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare revised its guidelines on infectious disease prevention.

From English "guideline." Used heavily in government, medical, and corporate contexts.

Common patterns

Usage

ガイドライン is softer than 規則(きそく) (rules) or 法律(ほうりつ) (law). It suggests recommended standards rather than mandatory requirements, though in practice organizations may treat them as binding.