International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an international non-governmental organization that sets voluntary international standards in a wide range of fields. Founded in 1947, ISO is a network of national standards bodies from 164 countries, one from each country. ISO's mission is to promote the development of standardization and related activities in the world with a view to facilitating international exchange of goods and services, and to developing cooperation in the spheres of intellectual, scientific, technological and economic activity.

ISO standards are developed through a consensus-based process involving experts from all over the world. Once a standard is approved, it is published and made available to the public. ISO standards are used by businesses, governments, and other organizations around the world to ensure the quality, safety, and efficiency of products and services.

Some of the most well-known ISO standards include ISO 9001, which is a quality management system standard, and ISO 14001, which is an environmental management system standard. These standards are used by businesses of all sizes to improve their quality and environmental performance.

ISO standards are also used in a wide range of other fields, such as information technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. For example, ISO 27001 is a standard for information security management systems, and ISO 13485 is a standard for medical devices.

ISO standards are voluntary, but they are often adopted by businesses and governments because they can help to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of products and services. In some cases, ISO standards are required by law or regulation.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a global leader in the development and promotion of voluntary international standards. ISO standards are used by businesses, governments, and other organizations around the world to ensure the quality, safety, and efficiency of products and services.