And .. it's also just a normal word which describes what you do in relation to regulations or standards
You change your behavior or belief system to match a group's standard/norm (conform).
Conform and follow/adhere are quite different, and convey the thought process underneath.
If it was a voluntary standard or code, maybe you could conform. The thread talks about the ACT and COMPLIANCE in its heading. You follow the regulation, you comply with it, you don't conform to a mandatory set of rules anyway. If you do, that is literally orwellian (because it implies a mandatory legal obidience is same as a voluntary fitting in).