Sensing changes in standards (7)
I believe the answer is:
ensigns
'standards' is the definition.
(flags)
'sensing changes' is the wordplay.
'changes' is an anagram indicator.
'sensing' with letters rearranged gives 'ENSIGNS'.
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for ensigns that I've seen before include "hauled up on deck?" , "Sensing (anag)" , "(Military) flags" , "Flag" , "Flags for naval officers" .)