Overview of ISO’s nature and membership
ISO is an independent, non-governmental organization consisting of members from the national standards bodies of 173 countries. These members represent their countries in ISO and play a crucial role in the organization’s operation. The members meet annually at the General Assembly to decide ISO’s strategic objectives and overall policies. The day-to-day operations are coordinated by the Central Secretariat based in Geneva, Switzerland, which is overseen by the Secretary-General.
The General Assembly
The General Assembly is the highest governing body of ISO and meets once a year. It comprises all ISO members and Principal Officers. The General Assembly decides on major strategic directions, approves budgets, and makes key policy decisions.
The ISO Council
The ISO Council is ISO’s core governance body and reports directly to the General Assembly. It meets three times a year and consists of 20 member bodies, ISO Officers, and the Chairs of the Policy Development Committees (CASCO, COPOLCO, and DEVCO). The Council oversees the effective running of ISO and takes care of critical governance and strategic matters.
Several bodies report to the Council, including:
The President’s Committee, which advises the Council on its decisions.
Council Standing Committees, handling finance, strategy and policy, nominations for governance positions, and governance oversight.
Advisory groups, offering guidance on commercial policy and information technology issues.
Policy Development Committees for conformity assessment (CASCO), consumer issues (COPOLCO), and developing countries (DEVCO).
Council membership rotates to ensure broad representation of the ISO membership community.
The Technical Management Board (TMB)
The TMB, which reports to the Council, manages ISO’s technical work. It oversees the Technical Committees responsible for standards development and any strategic advisory boards on technical matters. The TMB ensures that ISO’s technical processes are coordinated and aligned with organizational goals.
ISO Governance Structure
ISO’s governance model includes multiple levels designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness. Governance bodies work together to set strategy, manage operations, and oversee both technical and policy development activities.
Membership categories
ISO is a network of national standards bodies representing their countries. There are three main categories of membership, each providing different levels of access and influence:
Member bodies (Full members): These members participate fully in ISO’s standards development process, including voting rights and involvement in policy and technical committees.
Correspondent members: These members monitor ISO’s work and participate as observers but do not have voting rights.
Subscriber members: Typically countries with smaller economies; they keep up to date with ISO’s developments but have limited participation rights.
This tiered membership system balances inclusiveness with recognition of different countries’ capacities to participate.
Principal Officers
ISO’s leadership includes a President, President-elect, Vice-Presidents (for policy, technical management, and finance), and a Treasurer. These officers guide the organization’s strategy and governance.
Partnerships and collaborations
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) through the World Standards Cooperation (WSC). This partnership strengthens global standards systems and promotes the adoption of consensus-based international standards. ISO also works with the World Trade Organization (WTO), United Nations agencies, and more than 700 other organizations involved in standards development and technical harmonization.
Financing ISO
ISO’s Central Secretariat operations are funded by member subscriptions, which are proportional to each country’s gross national income and trade. Additional funding comes from the sale of standards documents. Many operational costs, especially those related to specific standards development projects and technical work, are shared by member bodies and participating experts who often cover their own expenses for involvement.