POLICY = GUIDELINES = STANDARD = PRINCIPLE = NORM

(noun) general principles applied by a government or company
"The company had a generous parental leave policy."
Synonyms
guidelines: "The Government has issued guidelines for the reporting of business expenses."
standard: "The case could set a national standard for how far school officials can go."
principle: "The Commission has always followed the principle that the public interest is best served when regulatory affairs are open to the fullest extent possible."
norm: "Trial by jury is set to become the norm in all major civil cases from July next year."
Common phrases
"The government's economic policies are very unpopular."
"The internal problems were affecting US foreign policy."
"The city made a policy decision not to enforce marijuana laws."
"Drug safety laws involve significant public policy issues."
"Government policy is to increase university attendance."
Source: Translegal