Flags, or roses perhaps (9)
I believe the answer is:
standards
'flags' is the definition.
(I know this)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for standards that I've seen before include "Detest" , "Touchstones, criteria" , "Reference points for comparison" , "Flags; levels of quality" , "Specifications by which something may be assessed" .)