International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent entity dedicated to developing and promoting international industrial standards. Established in 1946 in the aftermath of World War II, the ISO was formed by a coalition of industrial leaders and engineers aiming to foster better global cooperation and enhance the quality and safety of goods and services in a rapidly evolving global economy. With its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the organization comprises members from 162 countries and has produced approximately 21,900 standards across diverse sectors, including technology, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and food production.
Through a structured process involving discussions with industry experts and stakeholders, ISO identifies the need for new standards and formalizes them for publication. These standards are designed to ensure uniformity and high quality in products and services, making international trade smoother and safer for consumers. The ISO’s efforts contribute to improved international relations and trade, ultimately benefiting consumers, industries, and governments alike by fostering trust and reliability in global markets. The organization’s commitment to establishing standards reflects a focus on quality, safety, and efficiency, which is increasingly vital in today's interconnected world.
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International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent organization that helps create and promote international industrial standards. Developed in 1946 by industrial leaders and engineers, the ISO has helped to improve international relations, increase and improve global trade, and protect consumers from faulty or low-quality goods and services. The ISO is based in Geneva, Switzerland, where it operates a Central Secretariat. ISO members, committees, and experts meet regularly to propose, discuss, and evaluate new standards for a variety of world markets. Over its decades of work, the ISO has created approximately 25,700 standards in technology and manufacturing that affect members in 172 countries.
Background
When World War II ended in 1945, world leaders began seeking ways to restructure and refine global society. Much of the world needed extensive repair and healing after the catastrophic war. In addition, many leaders hoped to discover new ways to unify countries and build cooperation to help prevent future conflicts and control the massive changes in technology, economics, and cultures taking place in the dynamic twentieth century.
Socioeconomic forces such as consumerism meant that goods and services were becoming more important to people around the world. At the same time, the phenomenon of globalization meant that goods and services were likely to be produced in varied locations by people with diverse backgrounds, ideas, and resources.
Global goods and services, even in a similar classification, could differ extensively. Industries in different countries might use different measuring systems, production methods, and types and qualities of materials to produce a particular item. A consumer buying and using that item could not be assured if it would fit their requirements, work properly, or even be safe to use. Many industry leaders felt that in the new era of a global economy, systems of international standards would become necessary.
With this innovation in mind, industrial and engineering experts from twenty-five countries gathered at the Institute of Civil Engineers in London, England, in 1946. Their task was to organize a group that would oversee the development and coordination of standards for industries around the world. They finalized this new group under the name International Organization for Standardization, and it began its work on February 23, 1947.
The founders of the International Organization for Standardization realized that that title, when translated into the languages of the many member countries, would create various acronyms. To avoid confusion, and to help emphasize the spirit of international cooperation, the founders created the acronym ISO. ISO incorporates the letters of the International Organization for Standardization and alludes to the Greek word isos, referring to equality.
Overview
The main goal of the International Organization for Standardization is to create international standards. These standards are specifications for goods and services that ensure that all manufacturers and providers work in a similar way and meet the same requirements. Through standardization, industries try to reach high levels of safety and quality, which allows their products to be efficiently sold in all participating countries.
Since its formation in 1946, the ISO has allied with 172 countries and formed more than 840 technical committees and subcommittees. Together, these members have designed, agreed upon, and published approximately 25,700 standards. These standards relate mainly to industries in technology, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and food production and service. The effects of the standards may be observed around the world.
The ISO requires an efficient organizational structure to meet its many demands. The group is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and employs over 2,000 individuals. Overseen by the ISO's Secretary-General, the Central Secretariat in Geneva performs the group's daily tasks and coordinates the system. The ISO Council is comprised of twenty member bodies, ISO officers, the chair of the ISO Committee for Conformity Assessment (CASCO), the chair of the ISO's Committee on Consumer Policy (COPOLCO), and the Committee to Support Developing Countries (DEVCO). This council meets three times each year to hear a variety of committees and offices present their findings and assessments on a number of key issues, such as consumer concerns, developing countries, financial strategies, technical management, and conformity to standards. The council reports this important information to the General Assembly—the organization's primary decision-making and overseeing body. Once each year, the ISO General Assembly holds its meeting, attended by members and officers, where it makes major plans and decisions.
The main function of the ISO, creating standards, is a multistage process that takes place during the group's various meetings and conferences. The first step in creating a standard is identifying a need for a standard. People in a particular market might have a disagreement or might be facing confusion or uncertainty about the best specifications of a particular good or service.
When the ISO becomes involved, it enlists experts from industry, government, education, and various organizations who represent this market. ISO members work with these experts to determine whether a standard is needed and how it should best be reached. Over time and discussion, the members and experts generally agree on a standard. At that time, the ISO Central Secretariat will formalize and publish the new standard. The new standard may relate to just one small aspect of a market or encompass a wide range of factors.
The ISO creates standards to ensure that goods and services are safe, effective, and of good quality. Reaching this goal can bring benefits to all parties in a particular market. Consumers can be assured of satisfying goods and services provided at fair prices that are created in the most efficient and environmentally friendly means. Industries can increase sales, reach new markets, prove their commitment to quality, and learn valuable lessons from international teams of experts. Meanwhile, world leaders in business, government, and economics can help to improve international relations, boost trade, and increase trust.
Bibliography
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"Structure and Governance." International Organization for Standardization, www.iso.org/structure.html. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.
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