ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the worldwide federation of national standards bodies, at present comprising more than 100 members, one in each country.

The object of ISO is to promote the development of standardization and related activities in the world with a view to facilitating international exchange of goods and services, and to developing cooperation in the spheres of intellectual, scientific, technological and economic activity.

The results of ISO technical work are published as International Standards. ISO develops only those Standards that are required by the market.

The scope of ISO covers standardization in all fields except electrical and electronic engineering standards, which are the responsibility of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

However, application-specific standards for electrical and electronic equipment may well be developed within ISO – subject to agreement between both organizations.

ISO brings together the interests of producers, users (including consumers), governments and the scientific community, in the preparation of International Standards.

ISO work is carried out through nearly 3000 technical bodies. More than 30,000 experts from all parts of the world participate each year in the ISO technical work. ISO technical work has resulted in the publication of over 13,000 standards.