Established procedure (6)
I believe the answer is:
ritual
'established procedure' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for ritual that I've seen before include "Ceremony, solemn procedure" , "Actions performed as in a religious ceremony" , "Compulsive, formulaic, activity" , "Regular habit" , "Custom, rite" .)