The word 准则 is formed by combining two meaningful characters: 准, which conveys the idea of a "standard", "benchmark", or "permission", and 则, which means "rule", "regulation", or "principle". Together, they create a compound where the first element (准) describes the nature or quality of the second (则), resulting in the consolidated meaning of a "guiding rule" or "criterion", essentially, a rule that serves as an authorized standard.