The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) develops standards through a consensus-based process. A technical committee discusses a draft standard until consensus is reached, then it is circulated for comment and voting. If approved, it is published as an international standard. ISO collaborates closely with other international standards bodies and organizations like the UN on issues like food safety, transportation, health, and more. It works with regional standards organizations and over 600 other international groups to promote standardization worldwide.
2. How ISO Standards Are Developed
A technical committee meet to discuss, debate and argue until
they reach consensus on a draft agreement.
circulated as a Draft International Standard (DIS) to ISO's membership
as a whole for comment and balloting.
ISO members then take account of any feedback they receive in
formulating their position on the draft standard.
If the voting is in favor, the document, with eventual
modifications, is circulated to the ISO members as a Final Draft
International Standard (FDIS
If that vote is positive, the document is then published as an
International Standard.
Every working day of the year, an average of eight ISO meetings are
taking place somewhere in the world.
ISO technical bodies have already gone over entirely
◦ working electronically
◦ speeds up the development of standards
◦ cuts travel costs.
3. ISO's International Partners
three organizations, based in Geneva, Switzerland, have formed the World
Standards Cooperation (WSC) to act as a strategic focus for collaboration and
the promotion of international standardization.
◦ International Organization Standardization ( ISO)
◦ International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
◦ International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
It has a close relationship with the World Trade Organization (WTO)
◦ particularly appreciates the contribution of ISO's standards to reducing
technical barriers to trade.
ISO collaborates with the United Nations (UN) Organization and its specialized
agencies and commissions, also those involved in the harmonization of
regulations and public policies.
◦ CODEX Alimentarius on food safety measurement, management and traceability
◦ UN Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE), on the safety of motor vehicles and the transportation of
dangerous goods
◦ World Health Organization (WHO), on health technologies
◦ International Maritime Organization (IMO), on transport security
◦ World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), on the quality of services related to tourism.
4. In Addition of ISO’s International
Partners
ISO cooperates with UN organizations that provide assistance and
support to developing countries
◦ United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
◦ United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
◦ International Trade Centre (ITC).
ISO's technical committees have formal liaison relations with over 600
international and regional organizations.
ISO also collaborates regularly with the major international organizations
for metrology, quality and conformity assessment.
ISO has reinforced its links with international organizations representing
different groups of stakeholders.
◦ World Economic Forum (WEF)
◦ Consumers International (CI)
◦ World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), and
◦ International Federation of Standards Users (IFAN).
5. ISO's Regional Partners
ISO's members also belong to regional standardization
organizations.
ISO has recognized regional standards
organizations, representing:
◦ African Regional Organization for Standardization (ARSO)
◦ Arab Industrial Development and Mining Organization
(AIDMO)
◦ European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
◦ Pan American Standards Commission (COPANT)
◦ Euro Asian Council for Standardization, Metrology and
Certification (EASC)
◦ Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC)
◦ ASEAN Consultative Committee for Standards and Quality
(ACCSQ)
