ISO
The International Organisation for Standardisation was originally formed in 1947, and has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Generally known as the ISO, the organisation promotes the idea of worldwide commercial and industrial standards. However, it is a powerful organisation, despite defining itself as a non government organisation, and in practice has strong links to governments. Many of its standards become law worldwide, often via treaties, and this effectively makes it more powerful than many government organisations.
The International Organisation for Standardisation publishes a range of publications, which include International Standards. Technical Reports are also issued when the data determined by a technical committee is different from the type of data which is defined in the International Standards publication. These can include references and explanations. Further to this; the ISO also publishes Technical Specifications which relate to subjects which are still under development, but which cannot be published immediately as the project is not complete, or it can also refer to subjects on which there is unlikely to be immediate agreement. Sometimes the ISO will issue changes or amendments to the existing standards which come about due to improvements, flaws in the original standards agreement or when a further application for the subject has been discovered.
Of hundred and ninety five of the world's countries; one hundred and fifty eight are members of ISO. These are divided into three different categories of membership depending on size of economy and whether standards organisations exist. Only full members have voting rights, and these are represented by the most representative standards agencies within their country. Remaining countries either have no standards organisations or small economies
