What does ISO stand for?

ISO is not a typical acronym, but is derived from the Greek word 'isos', which means 'equal'. This expresses a core idea of the International Organization for Standardization: uniform global standards for products, processes, and services. While the name of the organization varies by language (e.g., 'International Organization for Standardization' in English), the short name ISO remains the same in all languages.

Who are the members of the International Organization for Standardization?

Members of ISO are national standards organizations – exactly one per country. In total, the International Organization for Standardization has 172 members. For example, the German member is DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung), the Austrian member is Austrian Standards International, and the Swiss member is the Swiss Association for Standardization (SNV). Through these national bodies, ISO standards are adopted as national standards, such as DIN ISO in Germany.

What is the significance of ISO standards for companies?

ISO standards are a decisive competitive and quality factor for companies. They create uniform standards for products, processes, and services across industries and national borders. Companies working according to ISO standards signal quality, facilitate international trade, and often meet legal requirements. Well-known examples include ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 27001 for information security, or ISO 24495-1 for plain language.

Are ISO standards legally binding?

No, ISO standards are generally voluntary. However, they are frequently referenced in laws, regulations, or contract clauses, which gives them a de facto binding character. When national standards organizations adopt an ISO standard, it can also become part of national standards. In the field of accessibility, laws like the EAA (European Accessibility Act) refer to ISO standards as a technical foundation.

The International Organization for Standardization

Q: What is the International Organization for Standardization?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the world's largest standards organization, headquartered in Geneva. Founded in 1947, ISO today unites 172 national standards bodies from around the world. It develops and publishes international standards for almost all industries – from quality management and information security to accessibility and plain language. More than 25,000 ISO standards currently shape processes, products, and services in companies worldwide.

04.05.2026

Accessibility Lexicon
The International Organization for Standardization

International Organization for Standardization – the global standards body

The International Organization for Standardization – known worldwide as ISO – is the largest standards organization in the world. Headquartered in Geneva, ISO unites 172 national standards bodies and develops international standards applied in nearly all industries and sectors. More than 25,000 ISO standards currently shape the quality of products, processes, and services in companies globally.

Founded in 1947 in London, the name "ISO" is not an acronym but is derived from the Greek "isos," meaning "equal" – a nod to the organization's mission: uniform global standards for industry and economy. Although the official languages of the organization are English, French, and Russian, the short name ISO remains identical in all languages.

For companies, industries, and entire economies, the International Organization for Standardization is of crucial importance. ISO standards create comparability, facilitate international trade, ensure quality, and are often a prerequisite for market access. In the context of digital accessibility, ISO provides key reference works with standards such as ISO 24495-1 for Plain Language and other standards related to accessibility.

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International Organization for Standardization at a Glance

✓ Founded: February 23, 1947 in London – active as an independent standards organization since its inception.
✓ Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland – the ISO Central Secretariat coordinates global standardization.
✓ Members: 172 national standards bodies, with one member per country.
✓ Published Standards: Over 25,000 ISO standards in nearly all areas of industry and commerce.
✓ Languages: Official working languages are English, French, and Russian.

Tasks and Importance of ISO

The International Organization for Standardization pursues a clear mission: to create uniform international standards for business, science, and society. This importance is reflected in five central task areas:

✓ Developing International Standards: ISO coordinates the creation of new standards in technical committees where experts from member countries collaborate. Every ISO standard undergoes a multi-year consensus process.
✓ Market Harmonization: ISO standards create technical equivalence between countries. Companies selling products internationally do not need to develop separate specifications for each country.
✓ Quality Assurance: Through standards like ISO 9001, ISO creates globally recognized benchmarks for quality management. ISO-certified companies signal quality to customers and partners.
✓ Facilitating International Trade: Standards reduce technical barriers to trade and enable market access. Without ISO standards, global trade would be nearly impossible in many industries.
✓ Contributing to Social Goals: ISO is increasingly developing standards for topics like accessibility, sustainability, and climate protection – which are crucial for global development.

Important Areas of ISO Standardization

The International Organization for Standardization covers almost all technical and economic areas. Only electrical engineering (IEC) and telecommunications (ITU) fall outside its mandate. Key areas include:

✓ Quality Management: ISO 9001 is by far the most famous – over a million companies worldwide are certified.
✓ Information Security: ISO/IEC 27001 is the international standard for information security management systems.
✓ Accessibility and Inclusion: With standards like ISO 9241-171 (Software Accessibility), ISO 14289 (Accessible PDF), and ISO 24495-1 (Plain Language), ISO provides essential foundations for digital inclusion.
✓ Environmental Management: ISO 14001 sets standards for sustainable corporate management.

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Frequently Asked Questions about ISO

What is the difference between ISO, DIN, and CEN?

ISO develops worldwide standards. CEN is the European standardization organization, and DIN is the German member of both. ISO standards are often adopted in Europe as EN standards and in Germany as DIN EN or DIN ISO standards.

Where can I buy ISO standards?

ISO standards are sold through the ISO portal or through national standards organizations like DIN Media (Germany), BSI (UK), or ANSI (USA).

Which ISO standards are relevant for accessibility?

Key accessibility standards include ISO/IEC 40500 (WCAG 2.0), ISO 9241-171 (Software Accessibility), ISO 14289 (PDF/UA), and ISO 24495-1 for Plain Language.

Who can participate in developing ISO standards?

Experts from companies, research institutes, and authorities can participate through their respective national standards bodies.

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