What is ISO?
ISO is the International Organization for Standardization situated in Geneva Switzerland. Because “International Organization for Standardization” would have different abbreviations in different languages (“IOS” in English, “OIN” in French for Organisation internationale de normalisation), it was decided at the outset to use a word derived from the Greek isos, meaning “equal”. Therefore, whatever the country, whatever the language, the short form of the organization’s name is always ISO. ISO is in charge of issuing international standards that different countries can adopt, ranging from quality and environmental management systems to product or material specific standards. The main purpose is that all of the standards that ISO issues have been approved by its 157 member countries making them truly international.
ISO is the International Organization for Standardization situated in Geneva Switzerland. Because “International Organization for Standardization” would have different abbreviations in different languages (“IOS” in English, “OIN” in French for Organization internationale de normalization), it was decided at the outset to use a word derived from the Greek isos, meaning “equal”. Therefore, whatever the country, whatever the language, the short form of the organization’s name is always ISO. ISO is in charge of issuing international standards that different countries can adopt, ranging from quality and environmental management systems to product or material specific standards. The main purpose is that all of the standards that ISO issues have been approved by its 157 member countries making them truly international.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) was established in 1947 and is (currently) an association of approximately 157 National Standards Bodies, which each represent their own country. ISO employs a system of Technical Committees, Sub-committees and Working Groups to develop International Standards. Besides the National Standards Bodies, ISO permits other international organizations that develop standards to participate in its work, by accepting them as Liaison members. ISO works in accordance with an agreed set of rules of procedure, the ISO/IEC Directives, which also include requirements on the presentation of standards. For further details please refer to ISO’s own web site at www.iso.
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the world’s largest developer and publisher of International Standards. ISO is a network of the national standards institutes of 157 countries, one member per country, with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system. ISO is a non-governmental organization that forms a bridge between the public and private sectors. On the one hand, many of its member institutes are part of the governmental structure of their countries, or are mandated by their government. On the other hand, other members have their roots uniquely in the private sector, having been set up by national partnerships of industry associations. Therefore, ISO enables a consensus to be reached on solutions that meet both the requirements of business and the broader needs of society.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) was established in 1947 and is (currently) an association of approximately 157 members, which each represent their own country. ISO employs a system of Technical Committees, Sub-committees and Working Groups to develop International Standards. Besides the National Standards Bodies, ISO permits other international organizations that develop standards to participate in its work, by accepting them as Liaison members. ISO works in accordance with an agreed set of rules of procedure, the ISO/IEC Directives, which also include requirements on the presentation of standards.
