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The letters ISO do not represent an acronym or initialism. The organization provides this explanation of the name:
Because ‘International Organization for Standardization’ would have different acronyms in different languages (IOS in English, OIN in French), our founders decided to give it the short form ISO. ISO is derived from the Greek word isos (ίσος, meaning “equal”). Whatever the country, whatever the language, the short form of our name is always ISO.
During the founding meetings of the new organization, however, the Greek word explanation was not invoked, so this meaning may be a false etymology.
Both the name ISO and the ISO logo are registered trademarks and their use is restricted.
History
Plaque marking the building in Prague where the ISO predecessor, the ISA, was founded.
The organization that is known today as ISO began in 1926 as the International Federation of the National Standardizing Associations (ISA), which primarily focused on mechanical engineering. The ISA was suspended in 1942 during World War II but, after the war, the 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 from 25 countries met in London and agreed to join forces to create the International Organization for Standardization. The organization officially began operations in 23 February 1947.
Structure and organization
ISO is a voluntary organization whose members are recognized authorities on standards, each one representing one country. Members meet annually at a General Assembly to discuss the strategic objectives of ISO. The organization is coordinated by a central secretariat based in Geneva.
A council with a rotating membership of 20 member bodies provides guidance and governance, including setting the annual budget of the central secretariat.
The technical management board is responsible for more than 250 technical committees, who develop the ISO standards
ISO has a joint technical committee (JTC) with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to develop standards relating to information technology (IT). Known as JTC 1 and entitled “Information technology”, it was created in 1987 and its mission is “to develop worldwide Information and Communication Technology (ICT) standards for business and consumer applications.”
There was previously also a JTC 2 that was created in 2009 for a joint project to establish common terminology for “standardization in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources”. It was later disbanded.
Membership
A map of ISO members as of November 2020
ISO member countries with a national standards body and ISO voting rights
Correspondent members (countries without a national standards body)
Subscriber members (countries with small economies)
As of 2022, there are 167 national members representing ISO in their country, with each country having only one member.
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 organization. These members are informed about the work of ISO, but do not participate in standards promulgation.
- Subscriber members are countries with small economies. They pay reduced membership fees, but can follow the development of standards.
Participating members are called “P” members, as opposed to observing members, who are called “O” members.