The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a pivotal non-governmental body dedicated to fostering industrial, commercial, and proprietary standards across the globe. By establishing and promoting these frameworks, ISO helps ensure quality, safety, and efficiency in products and services worldwide.
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Established on February 23, 1947, the organization is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and its influence extends across 164 countries. This global reach is managed through a network of national standards bodies. For instance, in Canada, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is the member body that represents the country's interests within ISO.
ISO's significance in global affairs is highlighted by its General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, which enables it to contribute directly to the work of the UN. To facilitate its international collaboration, the organization operates with three official languages: English, French, and Russian.
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Member organisations collaborate in the development and promotion of international standards for technology, scientific testing processes, working conditions, societal issues and more. ISO and its members then sell documents detailing these standards.
A General Assembly, which consists of representatives from ISO members and elected leaders (known as "Principal Officers), act as the decision-makers for ISO. The ISO headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland, where a central secretariat oversees all operations.
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The International Organization for Standardization is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organisations
Standards are the distilled wisdom of people with expertise in their subject matter and who know the needs of the organizations they represent – people such as manufacturers, sellers, buyers, customers, trade associations, users or regulators.

As a global association, ISO serves more than 145,000 members—but ISO's reach extends well beyond its core membership in more than 188 countries worldwide. Serving high-performing professionals and aiding enterprise transformation, ISACA inspires confidence and enables innovation in a fast-changing technological world. Learn about ISO's 50-year history, more recent developments, and opportunities to do work that truly matters.
ISO develops International Standards, such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, but are not involved in their certification, and do not issue certificates. This is performed by external certification bodies, thus a company or organisation cannot be certified by ISO. An independent body of written assurance (a certificate) that the product, service or system in question meets specific requirements.
To be certified by the ISO means that you have been audited by an independent third party, and that you have demonstrated your business conforms to the requirements of the latest quality process standards Suitable for both small and large organisations. Better internal management. Less wastage. Increase in efficiency, productivity and profit. Improved customer retention and acquisition. Consistent outcomes, measured and monitored. Globally recognised standard.
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