The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent, international, non-governmental organization. It is made up of 164 members who form the national standards bodies. The organization has a central secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland.
A better understanding of international standards
When we talk about international standards, we mean quality-oriented characterizations of services, systems and products. These standards are extremely useful for facilitating international trade.
Associated publications cover a wide range of industry sectors. These standards are felt in all sectors, and by everyone. ISO publications cover food safety, technology, agriculture, health and a wide range of industrial sectors.
The benefits of these standards
ISO International Standards offer a number of advantages. They can ensure the safety of services and products, as well as their quality and reliability. These standards can even offer a number of advantages for business development.
They can contribute to lowering costs in companies by helping to reduce waste. In addition, an improvement in productivity can be noted. This makes these standards strategic tools. The benefits don’t stop there, as ISO International Standards can help companies to tap into new markets.
This is of great benefit to developing countries, as it facilitates fair trade and free trade worldwide.
What are the best-known ISO standards??
There are many ISO International Standards, but some are better known than others. These standards include :
– ISO 9000: this standard is more concerned with quality management. This standard groups together some of ISO’s best-known standards. It is aimed at organizations and companies whose ambition is to offer products and services that meet customer needs.
– ISO 9001: 2015: in addition to defining the criteria for a management system, this standard can be used for certification. ISO 9001:2015 can be used by any type of company or organization.
ISO 9001 can also be applied by sector. This is due to the existence of standards for quality management systems, tailored to specific industries and sectors. These standards include :
– The ISO 13485 standard for medical devices;
– ISO/TS 17582, concerning special requirements for electoral bodies;
– The ISO 18091 standard for local authorities.
Other ISO standards concern software engineering, the oil, petrochemical and natural gas industries, and railway applications.
