INTRODUCTION:

ISO is an independent, non-governmental

international organization with a membership of
167 national standards bodies.
Through its members, it brings together experts to share knowledge and
develop voluntary, consensus-based, market relevant International Standards
that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges.

Our members play a vital role in how we operate, meeting once a year for a
General Assembly that decides our strategic objectives. Our Central
Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, coordinates the system and runs day-to-
day operations, overseen by the Secretary-General.

STRUCTURE OF THE ORGANIZATION:

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The General Assembly is the overarching organ and ultimate authority of the
organization. It is an annual meeting attended by our members and our Principal
Officers.

THE ISO COUNCIL

The ISO Council is the core governance body of the organization and reports
to the General Assembly. It meets three times a year and is made up of 20
member bodies, the ISO Officers and the Chairs of the Policy Development
Committees CASCO, COPOLCO and DEVCO. The Council has direct
responsibility over a number of bodies reporting to Council:
  The President’s Committee advises Council on matters decided by Council.
 Council Standing Committees address matters related to finance
(CSC/FIN), strategy and policy (CSC/SP), nominations for governance
positions (CSC/NOM), and have oversight over the organization’s
governance practices (CSC/OVE).
 Advisory groups provide advice on matters related to ISO’s commercial
policy (CPAG) and information technology (ITSAG).
 CASCO provides guidance on conformity assessment.
 COPOLCO provides guidance on consumer issues.
 DEVCO provides guidance on matters related to developing countries.

Membership to the Council is open to all member bodies and rotates to make
sure it is representative of the members community.

TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT BOARD (TMB)

The management of the technical work is taken care of by the Technical
Management Board, which reports to Council. This body is also responsible
for the technical committees that lead standards development and any strategic
advisory boards created on technical matters.

ISO GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

 
PARTNERS OF ISO:
ISO work closely with two other international standards development
organizations, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
and International Telecommunication Union (ITU). In 2001, ISO, IEC and ITU
formed the World Standards Cooperation (WSC) in order to strengthen the
standards systems of the three organizations. The WSC also promotes the
adoption and implementation of international consensus-based standards
worldwide.
In addition, ISO also have a close relationship with the World Trade
Organization (WTO), which particularly appreciates the contribution of
International Standards to reducing technical barriers to trade.
ISO also works with United Nations (UN) partners. For example, ISO liaise
with UN specialized agencies that carry out technical harmonization or give
technical assistance, including the UN Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC).
In total, ISO collaborates with over 700 international, regional and national
organizations. These organizations take part in the standards development
process as well as sharing expertise and best practices.

HOW IS ISO FINANCED?

ISO national members pay subscriptions that meet the operational costs of the Central
Secretariat. The subscription paid by each member is in proportion to the country’s gross
national income and trade figures. Another source of revenue is the sale of standards.
However, the operations of ISO’s Central Secretariat represent only about one fifth of the cost of
the system’s operation. Other costs are related to specific standards development projects and
technical work. These costs are borne by member bodies and business organizations that allow
their experts to participate and pay their travel expenses.
HISTORY:

ISO STORY BEGAN IN 1946

Founders of ISO, London 1946

The conference of national standardizing organizations which established ISO took place in
London from 14 to 26 October, 1946. ISO was born from the union of two organizations. One
was the ISA (International Federation of the National Standardizing Associations), established in
New York in 1926, and administered from Switzerland. The other was the UNSCC (United
Nations Standards Coordinating Committee), established only in 1944, and administered in
London.
The conference of the national standards bodies at which it was decided to establish ISO took
place at the Institute of Civil Engineers in London from 14 to 26 October 1946. Twenty-five
countries were represented by 65 delegates.
12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 1949

ISO'S FIRST OFFICES

In 1949, ISO moves into offices in a small, private house in Geneva. In the early 1950s the
Central Secretariat has 5 members of staff.

SO's offices in the Route de Malagnou, Geneva

12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 1951
ISO'S FIRST STANDARD
In 1951, the first ISO standard (called Recommendations at this time), ISO/R 1:1951 Standard
reference temperature for industrial length measurements, is published. Since then, the standard
has been updated numerous times and is now ISO 1:2016 Geometrical Product Specifications
(GPS) - Standard reference temperature for geometrical product specification.
The ISO Journal May 1952, coinciding with the General Assembly in New York

12:00:00 AM MAY 1, 1952
THE ISO JOURNAL
Since its creation ISO has published monthly information about its technical committees, the
standards published and administrative changes to the organization and its members.
This is the cover of the ISO Journal from May 1952.

ISO General Assembly in Stockholm in 1955

12:00:00 AM MAY 1, 1955

ISO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -

STOCKHOLM
In 1955, ISO members gather in Stockholm for the 3rd General Assembly. At the beginning of
1955, ISO has 35 members and 68 standards (called recommendations). Henry St Leger is the
Secretary General.
LOADING
12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 1960

SI - INTERNATIONAL
SYSTEM OF UNITS
In 1960, ISO publishes the standard ISO 31 on quantities and units (which has since been
replaced by ISO 80 000).

ISO 31 is based on SI (Système international d'unités). The SI sets out one unit for each quantity,
for example, the metre for distance and the second for time. The objective of the SI system is to
reach world-wide uniformity in units of measurement.

ISO 80 000 sets out these units and how to use them.

12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 1961

1960S - ISO AND

DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
During the 1960s ISO works to include more developing countries in its International
Standardization work.

In 1961 it establishes DEVCO, a committee for developing country matters, and in 1968
introduces Correspondent membership. This allows developing countries to be informed of
International Standardization work without the full costs of ISO membership.

Correspondent membership continues to be a popular option for many countries today. At the
start of 2012, ISO had 49 correspondent members. Learn more about ISO and developing
countries.
LOADING

12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 1968

FREIGHT CONTAINERS
In 1968, ISO publishes its first standard on freight containers. Freight and packaging is one of
the areas where ISO has been particularly active, changing the way goods travel across the
world.
Learn more about standards relating to freight containers.
 LOADING

12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 1969

THE END OF 'TECHNICAL

NATIONALISM'
In 1969 Olle Sturen becomes Secretary General of ISO. In one of his first speeches he says
International Standardization is the end of 'technical nationalism'.
LOADING

12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 1971

ENVIRONMENT ON THE
AGENDA
In 1971, ISO creates its first two technical committees in the environmental field: Air
quality and Water quality.

Today, these committees have been joined by other groups of environmental experts focusing on
many subjects including soil quality, environmental management and renewable energy.
LOADING

12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 1975

AN INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
During the 1970s, ISO's Secretary General Olle Sturen focuses on turning ISO into a truly
international organization.

While ISO's members come from all over the world, in the early 1970s relatively few are fully
active in the development of International Standards. Sturen's visits to members result in active
participation from countries such as Australia, Japan and China. The Central Secretariat also
reflects this international feel, with an average of 25 nationalities represented.
LOADING

12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 1986
LAWRENCE D. EICHER
BECOMES SECRETARY
GENERAL
In 1986, Lawrence D. Eicher takes over as Secretary General.

Sadly, Eicher passed away in 2002 while still serving as ISO Secretary General. The Lawrence
D. Eicher award for excellence in standardization has been set up in his memory.
Learn more about the recent winners of the Lawrence D. Eicher Leadership Award.
LOADING

12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 1987

ISO 9000 FAMILY

In 1987, ISO publishes its first quality management standard. Standards in the ISO 9000 family
have gone on to become some of the most well known and best selling standards. Learn more
about ISO 9000
LOADING

12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 1995

ISO GOES DIGITAL

In 1995, ISO launches its first website.

Five years later, in 2000, ISO starts selling its standards online.
LOADING

12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 1996

ISO 14001
In 1996, ISO launches its environmental management system standard, ISO 14001. The standard
provides tools for companies and organizations to help them identify and control their
environmental impact.
Learn more about ISO 14001
LOADING

12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 2003
NEW LEADERSHIP - NEW
TECHNOLOGIES
In 2003, Alan Bryden is appointed Secretary General.

Under his 5 year term, ISO expands its work to cover new technologies such as nanotechnology
and biofuels.

Bryden also actively supports ISO's work on social responsibility, which leads to the launch of
ISO 26000 in 2010.
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12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 2005

INFORMATION SECURITY
In 2005, ISO and IEC's joint technical committee JTC1 launches ISO/IEC 27001, a management
system standard on information security. As businesses become increasingly reliant on
information technology, securing the system and minimizing risks is ever more important. ISO
27001:2005 has become one of ISO's most popular standards.

Learn more about ISO 27001

LOADING

12:00:00 AM AUGUST 25, 2008

ISO, ITU AND IEC HIT THE

RED CARPET
An Emmy is awarded for joint-work producing an advanced video coding standard. The standard
enables sound and moving pictures to be heavily compressed, enabling internet streaming with
minimal loss of quality.
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12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 2009
ISO APPOINTS ROB STEELE
SECRETARY-GENERAL
Under his guidance the organization adopts a simpler, faster, better mentality that cuts down
standards’ development time and helps establish the role that standards play in a fast-paced
world.
LOADING

12:00:00 AM NOVEMBER 1, 2010

ISO 26000
In 2010, launches ISO 26000, the first International Standard providing guidelines for social
responsibility.

As social responsibility has become an everyday part of business, ISO 26000 has established
itself as a global benchmark for organizations that care about their impacts on wider society.
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12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 2011

ISO 50001 ENERGY

MANAGEMENT STANDARD
LAUNCHED
With energy one of the most critical challenges facing the international community, ISO
50001 provides public and private sector organizations with management strategies to increase
energy efficiency, reduce costs and improve energy performance.
LOADING

12:00:00 AM MARCH 1, 2015
THE COOKSTOVE
CHALLENGE
The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, a public-private partnership hosted by the United
Nations Foundation and comprising over 1 300 partners, was launched to coordinate an
international approach to build a robust market for clean cookstoves. The Global Alliance’s
partnership with ISO seemed an important platform to develop and apply standards to ensure the
best possible cookstoves and fuels are available in the market.
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12:00:00 AM AUGUST 1, 2015

KEVIN MCKINLEY ACTING

SECRETARY GENERAL
With more than 20 years in standardization, coupled with a background in engineering and
project management, Kevin has a strong mix of industry and SDO experience. Stepping in as
acting Secretary General, Kevin has steered ISO through a major step in its evolution, embracing
the latest publishing technology, focusing on member-value, and the long-term vision of “ISO
standards used everywhere”.
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12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 2016

ISO PUBLISHES POWERFUL

NEW TOOL TO COMBAT
BRIBERY
ISO 37001 is the first international anti-bribery management system standard designed to help
organizations combat bribery risk in their own operations and throughout their global value
chains. It has the potential to reduce corporate risk and costs related to bribery by providing a
manageable business framework for preventing, detecting and addressing bribery.
LOADING

12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 2017
ISO CELEBRATES 70 YEARS!
We’ve come a long way since 1947, and in 2017 we have 163 members and a total of over 21000
standards. Over 70 years the family of ISO standards has grown substantially, and today cover
almost all aspects of technology and business.
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12:00:00 AM JULY 7, 2017

ISO APPOINTS SERGIO

MUJICA AS SECRETARY-
GENERAL
Bringing wide experience from previous roles in the World Customs Organization (WCO) and
the Chilean Government, Sergio Mujica, a Chilean national is appointed as Secretary-General of
ISO, from July 2017.

12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 2018
ISO PUBLISHES
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD FOR
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
AND SAFETY
ISO 45001:2018, Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with
guidance for use, is a new International Standard designed to help organizations of all sizes to
reduce workplace injuries and illnesses around the world.
12:00:00 AM MAY 1, 1952

THE ISO JOURNAL

Since its creation ISO has published monthly information about its technical committees, the
standards published and administrative changes to the organization and its members.
This is the cover of the ISO Journal from May 1952.
12:00:00 AM MAY 1, 1955

ISO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -

STOCKHOLM
In 1955, ISO members gather in Stockholm for the 3rd General Assembly. At the beginning of
1955, ISO has 35 members and 68 standards (called recommendations). Henry St Leger was the
Secretary General.
12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 1960

SI - INTERNATIONAL
SYSTEM OF UNITS
In 1960, ISO publishes the standard ISO 31 on quantities and units (which has since been
replaced by ISO 80 000).

ISO 31 is based on SI (Système international d'unités). The SI sets out one unit for each quantity,
for example, the meter for distance and the second for time. The objective of the SI system is to
reach world-wide uniformity in units of measurement.

ISO 80000 sets out these units and how to use them.

12:00:00 AM JANUARY 1, 1961
1960S - ISO AND
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
During the 1960s ISO works to include more developing countries in its International
Standardization work.

In 1961 it establishes DEVCO, a committee for developing country matters, and in 1968
introduces Correspondent membership. This allows developing countries to be informed of
International Standardization work without the full costs of ISO membership.

Correspondent membership continues to be a popular option for many countries today. At the
start of 2012, ISO had 49 correspondent members. Learn more about ISO and developing
countries.

ISO 9000 FAMILY

In 1987, ISO publishes its first quality management standard. Standards in the ISO 9000 family
have gone on to become some of the most well-known and best-selling standard.