MD80 First Officer reports being assigned 310 KTS by Departure Control which was maintained through out climb; cruise; and descent. The reporter was admonished by Approach Control when speed is reduced to comply with a mandatory speed restriction on the arrival.

Narrative

Departure Control; at approx 11;000 FT MSL; gave us a speed assignment of 310 KTS. Speed was maintained through climb; cruise; descent and initial arrival. The SID had a directive to cross the next intersection at 250 KTS. Approx 10 miles prior to the intersection; I began to slow to 250. At 280 KTS; Approach Control asked what our speed was. The Captain replied 280 KTS. Approach replied that we were assigned 310 KTS. I immediately accelerated to 310 KTS. As soon as 310 was achieved; Approach directed us to cross the intersection at 250 KTS. It is common to receive a speed restriction; however; I have never received one that lasted through initial climb; climb; cruise; descent; and initial approach. There were numerous sector changes. We went through low-departure; mid-sector; high-sector; initial descent and close in approach sector. Somewhere in all of these numerous frequency and sector changes speed heading or other restrictions need to be restated. It is quite common to inform a new sector that you have a restriction only to hear puzzlement from the new controller. I also think that speed directives need to be removed from STARS in that they are not followed by ATC and thus only cause confusion. We need standardization.