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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent, non-governmental international organization that brings experts together through national standards body members to develop international standards. ISO is the organization; an ISO standard is a voluntary, consensus-based specification or guidance document it develops.
What does “ISO” mean?
ISO is the short name for the International Organization for Standardization. It is not an acronym formed from the organization’s English initials. ISO says the name was inspired by the Greek word isos, meaning “equal,” and chosen as a consistent name across languages. ISO’s explanation of its name describes that choice.
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What does the organization do?
ISO convenes experts to develop international standards across many sectors. Its work is coordinated through national standards body members and the Central Secretariat. ISO describes its standards as voluntary and consensus-based: they provide common specifications or guidance developed through expert agreement. ISO’s overview and October 2025 publication describe its role and standards.
ISO is not itself a national government regulator. A standard’s voluntary status does not establish how it applies in every situation: laws or contracts may separately refer to standards, and the sources cited here do not specify the effect of any particular law or contract.
ISO says sales of standards help finance their development and maintenance. Standards may be obtained from ISO or national standards bodies; buying a standard is separate from understanding what ISO is.
Who can be an ISO member?
ISO membership consists of national standards bodies, with one member body per country—not individual people or companies. The membership category determines how a body participates. ISO’s members page displayed 177 members when viewed on October 7, 2026; this is a changing live-page count, not a timeless total.
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| Membership category | Participation in ISO work | Standards nationally or in a territory |
|---|---|---|
| Full member (member body) | Participates and votes in technical and policy meetings | May sell and adopt ISO standards nationally |
| Correspondent member | Attends technical and policy meetings as an observer | May sell and adopt standards nationally or within its membership territory |
| Subscriber member | Keeps informed but does not participate in ISO work | Does not sell or adopt standards nationally |
These categories and participation rights are described by ISO’s membership information. Individuals and companies are not members, although they may contribute to standardization work through relevant channels.
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What is a National Standards Body?
A National Standards Body (NSB) is the official organization responsible for developing and promoting national standards in a specific country and representing that country in ISO. To find the appropriate organization to contact, use ISO’s members list to locate the member body for your country. An NSB is a national organization; ISO is the international organization connecting its members.
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How many standards and members does ISO have?
Counts depend on when they were published or viewed. An ISO publication dated October 2025 reported 175 member bodies and more than 26,000 International Standards and related documents. ISO’s live about page displayed 177 members, 843 technical committees and subcommittees, and 26,489 International Standards and other deliverables when viewed on October 7, 2026. The figures use different descriptions and dates, so they should be read as dated snapshots rather than fixed totals. October 2025 publication; current ISO about page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does ISO certify companies?
ISO develops standards; that is distinct from certification that an organization meets a particular standard. The sources cited here establish ISO’s standards-development role but do not document certification procedures, so they do not support treating ISO itself as the certifier. For a specific standard or certification question, consult the relevant standard and the appropriate certification or national standards body information.
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