Research
Here you'll find a wealth of information that demonstrates the economic and wider benefits of standards.
We're a global network of the world's leading standardizers.
Through our members (the national standards bodies in 166 different countries) we bring together experts from all over the world to develop International Standards.
Find out more about our members and the standards development process.
But beyond the task of guiding thousands of documents through drafting, review, voting and publication, we also offer a range of services that support our strategic goals.
Among these we work to help raise public awareness of standards and standardization. We work with other organizations, such as the IEC and ITU, to create an annual World Standards Day. The day is celebrated by standards organizations around the world and takes a look at how standards address the challenges that face society today. ISO also engages the wider public through our consumer committee on standards development (COPOLCO).
We promote the teaching of standardization, by participating directly in a joint masters program, helping our members to set up similar programs and by maintaining a database of materials related to standards in education at all levels.
In addition to raising awareness, we also help our members through training, and act as a resource for standards-related research.
You can find out more about the ISO strategy by checking out our strategic vision and our annual report, but it all comes down to one thing: serving our members to help achieve the vision of standards used everywhere.
What are the different types of ISO membership?
- Full members (or member bodies) influence ISO standards development and strategy by participating and voting in ISO technical and policy meetings. Full members sell and adopt ISO International Standards nationally.
- Correspondent members observe the development of ISO standards and strategy by attending ISO technical and policy meetings as observers. Correspondent members that are national entities sell and adopt ISO International Standards nationally. Correspondent members in the territories that are not national entities sell ISO International Standards within their territory.
- Subscriber members keep up to date on ISO’s work but cannot participate in it. They do not sell or adopt ISO International Standards nationally.
You can learn more about ISO membership and its benefits in the ISO Membership Manual. Below you can discover how ISO supports members advance their standardization work through training, research, and standardization awards.
Developing standards
Find out how the ISO process bring together global experts to create standards that are chosen the world over.ISO awards
ISO has a number of awards that help promote different aspects of international standardization.Education about standards
Materials that support teaching the technological, economic and societal benefits of International Standards.
ISO Strategy 2030
The ISO Strategy 2030 outlines our vision and our mission for the next 10 years and a set of goals and priorities to help us get there. The three goals are stepping stones to our vision. We will focus on six priorities to achieve our goals and maximize our impact.
ISO Membership Manual
Learn how to get the most out of ISO membership
Annual Report 2019
The 2019 annual report includes our high-impact standards, production facts and figures and how we reached standards users around the world. The report also covers the journey that we took, together with our members, to further develop our new ISO Strategy 2021-2030.
Our latest Announcements
October 2021
on
A shared vision for a better world on World Standards Day
Together, we can make the future bright.
on
Enormous potential for the future: thirty years of Vienna Agreement
Thirty years ago, the global economy was placed on a new footing in Vienna: The Vienna Agreement set the course for even closer cooperation and collaboration. What has changed since then? Fewer barriers to trade, more harmonized rules and more room for innovation. Under the heading “From global to local: …
Get involved this World Standards Day - 14 October
In the lead-up to World Standards Day, hear from ISO leaders on why you should get involved this 14 October.