The International Organisation for Standardization (ISO)

The International Organisation for Standardization known as ISO, is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standard organisations.
Founded on 23 February 1947, the organisation promotes worldwide proprietary, industrial and commercial standards. It is headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland and as of 2013 works in 164 countries. It was one of the first organisations granted general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and social council.

ISO is the world's largest developer of voluntary International Standards. International Standards make thins work. They give world-class specifications for products, services and good practice to ensure quality, safety and efficiency. and because they are developed through global consensus, they help to break down barriers to international trade.
Since 1947, ISO has published more than 19500 International Standards covering almost every industry, from technology to food safety to agriculture and healthcare.

The organisation today known as ISO began in 1926 as the International Federation of the National Standardizing Association (ISA). It was suspended in World War II (1942), but after the war ISA was approached by the recently formed United Nations Standards Coordinating Committee (UNSCC) with a proposal to form a new global standards body. In October 1946, ISA and UNSCC delegates form 25 countries met in London and agreed to join forces to create the new International Organisation for Standardization the new organisation officially began operations in February 1947.

ISO membership categories:
ISO has 164 national members, out of 206 total countries in the world. ISO has three membership categories,

• Member bodies are national bodies considered the most representative standards body in each country. These are the only members of ISO that have voting rights.
• Correspondent members are countries that do not have their own standards organisation. These members are informed about ISO's work, but do not participate in standard promulgation.
• Subscriber members are countries with small economies. They pay reduced membership fees, but can follow the development of standards.

ISO is a voluntary organisation whose members are recognized authorities on standards, each one representing on country. Members meet annually at a General Assembly to discuss ISO's strategic objectives. The organisation is coordinated by a Central Secretariat based in Geneva.

Financing: ISO is funded by a combination,

• Organisations that manage the specific projects or loan participate in the technical work.
• Subscriptions from member bodies. these subscriptions are in proportion to each country's gross national product and trade figures.
• sales of standards.

A Council with a rotating membership of 20 member bodies provides guidance and governance including setting the Central Secretariats annual budget. The Technical Management Board is responsible for over 250 technical committees, who develop the ISO standards.

ISO has formed joint committees with the International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC) to develop standards and terminology in the areas of electrical and related technologies.