Guideline refers to an official policy statement, which does not have the force of law. Guidelines may be issued by a professional association or a government agency to express the group's attitude about a particular matter. While guidelines themselves do not have binding legal force, they define the parameters of conduct for professionals which are consistent with accepted standards of practice.

State medical boards have issued guidelines regarding the medical use of opioids which define the conduct which the board considers to be within the legitimate practice of medicine. Guidelines may also be called a position statement or policy statement; and these may appear in a position paper, report, areticle, letter or news letter.