Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a specialized international organization whose members are the national standards bodies of 111 countries. ISO founded in 1946 to develop manufacturing, trade, and communication standards.

Participation in ISO standards development varies by country. Some countries are represented by governmental or quasi-governmental bodies. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is the United States member body to ISO.

The goals of ISO standards are to facilitate the efficient exchange of goods and services. All standards developed by ISO are voluntary; however, countries often adopt ISO standards and make them mandatory.

Member nations form technical advisory groups (TAGS) that provide input to the technical committees as part of the standards development process. ISO received input from government, industry, and other interested parties before promulgating a standard. After a draft standard is voted on by all member countries, it is published as an international standard. Each nation can then adopt a version of the standard as its national standard.