Practical solutions for real-world problems
ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, brings global experts together to agree on the best way of doing things – for anything from making a product to managing a process. As one of the oldest non-governmental international organizations, ISO has enabled trade and cooperation between people and companies the world over since 1946. The International Standards published by ISO serve to make lives easier, safer and better.
The ISO way
Inclusive
ISO’s consensus-based standards development process ensures that comments from all stakeholders are taken into account
Value-driven
ISO standards serve one purpose: Making lives easier, safer and better. Learn about our vision.
Independent
Selling our standards allows us to finance their development and maintenance in a neutral environment.
Can-do
ISO standards are all about identifying the best solutions to global challenges.
Global
ISO members from all regions of the world nominate experts and vote on draft standards. The Central Secretariat coordinates and facilitates broad participation.
Many languages, one name: ISO
Because “International Organization for Standardization” would have different acronyms in different languages (IOS in English, OIN in French for Organisation internationale de normalisation), its founders opted for the short form “ISO”. The story goes that ISO is derived from the Greek word “isos”, meaning equal.
Whatever the country, whatever the language, we are always ISO.
Solutions for your challenges
Find out what standards the ISO community has developed to address the needs of your sector!
IT and related technologies
Health
Transport
Management and services
Environmental sustainability
Energy
Safety, security and risks
Food and agriculture
Engineering
Building and construction
Materials
Diversity and inclusion
Get involved
ISO partners with other organizations to leverage the full potential of standards for sustainable development.
ISO standards are created by the people that need them. Find out why and how to participate in standards development:
Contact
International Organization for Standardization
ISO Central Secretariat
Chemin de Blandonnet 8
CP 401
1214 Vernier (Geneva)
Switzerland
E-mail: central@iso.org
Tel.: +41 22 749 01 11
Fax: +41 22 733 34 30