International Organisation for Standardisation ISO
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is an independent organisation responsible for the production of voluntary international standards. ISO have 165 member countries with a Central Secretariat based in Geneva. The name ISO is derived from the Greek ‘isos’ which means equal.
[edit] History
ISO was formed in 1947 with 67 technical expert groups and in 1949 moved into offices in Geneva with 5 members of staff. The first standard was produced in 1951, ISO/R 1:1951 Standard reference temperature for industrial length measurements.
[edit] Members
There are over 165 members of ISO with one member representing each country. Members are the standards organisations within their country, it is not possible for an individual or a company to become a member.
ISO offers three different levels of membership:
- Full members (or member bodies) – have powers to influence the development of standards and can sell ISO standards nationally.
- Correspondent members – observe the development of standards and can sell ISO standards nationally.
- Subscriber members – are kept informed about the development of standards but cannot participate and do not sell standards nationally.
[edit] Documents
The main products produced by ISO are the international standards and over 19,500 standards have been produced covering a wide variety of industries. Technical reports, technical specifications and other guides are also produced by ISO.
The standards are documents that provide requirements, guidance, specifications or characteristics that are used to ensure consistency of materials, products, services and processes.
Examples of the standards that have been produced include:
- ISO 9000 – Quality Management.
- ISO 14000 – Environmental Management.
- ISO 31000 – Risk Management.
- ISO 20121 – Sustainable events.
The standards provide consumers with confidence that they are reliable, safe and of good quality. They can assist governments when formulating policies and regulations, and businesses can be assisted in ensuring they operate in an efficient and productive manner.
[edit] Partners
ISO work alongside the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The three organisations joined to form the World Standards Cooperation to enhance the standards systems of the separate groups.
[edit] Funding
The members of ISO pay a subscription and additional revenue is generated for the organisation through the sale of the standards.
[edit] ISO Strategic plan 2011 – 2015
ISO have produced a strategic plan for 2011 to 2015 and the global vision for the organisation is:
“To be the world’s leading provider of high quality, globally relevant International Standards through its members and stakeholders”.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Accreditation.
- ASTM International.
- British Standards Institution BSI.
- BS 476.
- ISO 50001 Energy Management.
- BS ISO 10845.
- BS ISO 45003 Psychological health and safety at work - managing psychosocial risks.
- ISO 10845.
- ISO 9000.
- ISO 9001.
- ISO 14001.
- ISO 14024.
- ISO 22341:2021.
- ISO 23234 and ISO 21542 security and accessibility standards.
- ISO 30401 Knowledge management systems.
- ISO 30415.
- ISO/PAS 45005 Guidance for working safely during COVID-19.
- ISO/TC 211 Geographic information/Geomatics.
- British Board of Agrément.
- CE mark.
- Kitemark.
- Publicly available specification.
- Structural engineering codes.
- Third party accreditation.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Cladding remediation programmes, transparency and target date.
National Audit Office issue report on cladding remediation.
HBPT and BEAMS Jubilees. Book review.
Does the first Labour budget deliver for the built environment?
What does the UK Budget mean for electrical contractors?
Mixed response as business pays, are there silver linings?
A brownfield housing boost for Liverpool
A 56 million investment from Homes England now approved.
Fostering a future-ready workforce through collaboration
Collaborative Futures: Competence, Capability and Capacity, published and available for download.
Considerate Constructors Scheme acquires Building A Safer Future
Acquisition defines a new era for safety in construction.
AT Awards evening 2024; the winners and finalists
Recognising professionals with outstanding achievements.
Reactions to the Autumn Budget announcement
And key elements of the quoted budget to rebuild Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers Budget
Repairing, fixing, rebuilding, protecting and strengthening.
Expectation management in building design
Interest, management, occupant satisfaction and the performance gap.
Connecting conservation research and practice with IHBC
State of the art heritage research & practice and guidance.
Innovative Silica Safety Toolkit
Receives funding boost in memory of construction visionary.
Gentle density and the current context of planning changes
How should designers deliver it now as it appears in NPPF.
Sustainable Futures. Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
More speakers confirmed for BSRIA Briefing 2024.
Making the most of urban land: Brownfield Passports
Policy paper in brief with industry responses welcomed.
The boundaries and networks of the Magonsæte.