ISO Full Form – International Standardization Organization

ISO Full Form: International Standardization Organization works collaboratively to define standardization parameters for products, processes, systems, and services across industries.

ISO aims to create a sense of order and consistency in the operational framework to ensure quality, efficiency, safety, and sustainability. They cover nearly every sector, including manufacturing, food, energy, and healthcare.

This blog discusses in detail how ISO functions to determine standards through a consensus-based process and develops a globally recognized standardization system that benefits businesses and customers worldwide.

ISO Full Form

The full form of ISO is the International Organization for Standardization. It’s not an acronym if you look at it carefully. The term ISO got its name from the Greek word ‘isos’, which means equal.

The mission of this organization is to create a standard for all products, services, activities, etc., so that equality and consistency are maintained worldwide.
ISO standards have been accepted and recognized across all countries as a universal safety, quality, and reliability standard.

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ISO History

ISO started to function on 23rd February 1947. Its initial focus was developing standards for industrial and mechanical operations. Iso gradually expanded its work scope to include a wide range of sectors.

In 1987, the first version of ISO 9001 for quality management was published. In 1996, ISO 14001 was developed for environmental management. ISO now comprises members from over 160 countries.

It has published more than 25,000 international standards covering various technical and non-technical fields.

ISO Objectives

ISO is formed to create standard specifications and guidelines for industries to perform efficiently and deliver consistent results. The ISO objectives include the following:

• Standard Development: ISO develops and maintains standards, regularly reviews their relevance, and encourages best practices to implement them.
• Technical Guidelines: ISO publishes technical reports, specifications, and guidelines that provide useful inputs for organizations.
• International Cooperation: ISO works with a collaborative approach involving experts from various backgrounds to create globally recognized standards.

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ISO Structure

The International Organization for Standardization comprises representatives of different national standards organizations worldwide. The ISO structure is given as follows:

• The General Assembly: It is the decision-making body of ISO. It decides on the objectives and strategies.
• The Council: It is the core body of the ISO. Its function is to implement policy and develop the annual budget.
• Technical Management Board: It manages the technical aspects of ISO standards and reviews the standards for quality and consistency.
• Technical Committee: It includes experts from different fields who work on specific areas to develop the standards.
• Central Secretariat: It is the administrative body of ISO. It has to coordinate with different committees and provide support for day-to-day functioning.

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ISO Standards Development Process

ISO standards are the benchmarks for the processes that a company must comply with. It ensures that the output products and services are safe, reliable, and high-quality. The ISO follows a stepwise process to develop technology, health and safety standards, quality management, energy efficiency, and others. The different stages of ISO standards development are as follows:

• Proposal stage: Developing a new standard starts with the proposal from industry associations or consumer groups. The relevant ISO committee verifies the requirement for a new standard.
• Preparatory stage: A group of subject matter experts and industry stakeholders prepares a draft of the new standard.
• Committee stage: The technical committee reviews the technical content of the draft and provides recommendations.
• Enquiry stage: The committee prepares a Draft International Standard (DIS) and distributes it to ISO members for further action.
• Approval stage: The approved DIS draft is submitted as a Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) to ISO members. They vote to approve the new standard.
• Publication stage: ISO publishes the FDIS as an official international standard after final approval.

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Popular Types of ISO Standards

The ISO standards are universal specifications for materials, systems, and processes. It covers almost every type of business and organization. The most significant and popular ISO standards are listed below:

• ISO 9001: It was developed to establish a structured quality management system in a company. It includes guidelines for internal mechanisms to avoid errors, improve efficiency, and adopt best operational practices.
• ISO 14001: It is a standardization of the environmental management system. It outlines the policies, processes, and practices on how a company should interact with the environment.
• ISO 22000: This standard applies to food safety management. It mentions how to plan, implement, and operate to maintain desired levels of safety and hygiene.
• ISO 27001: ISO 27001 is the standard for information security. It specifies the rules for setting up a system that brings information security under management control to safeguard sensitive data and avoid data breaches.
• ISO 50001: This standard guides companies in implementing an energy management system (EMS) to improve energy usage and efficiency. It highlights specific ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact.
• ISO 31000: It emphasises a universally recognized standard system for safety and risk management. The standard allows a company to identify potential risks and effectively utilize resources for risk handling.
• ISO 45001: The Occupational Health and Safety Management System standard prioritises employee well-being, reduces workplace hazards, and promotes a safety culture.

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ISO Certifications

Organizations receive ISO certifications in recognition of their conformance to ISO standards that align with their management systems, processes, products, and services.

An authorised third-party agency conducts an audit to review the compliance with ISO guidelines and provides the certification relevant to that industry.
This ISO certification assures customers and stakeholders that the organization maintains high consistency and quality in all operations.

ISO Certification Significance

ISO certifications demonstrate a company’s commitment to quality and reliability. It can enhance the reputation and brand loyalty of the business. Let’s take a detailed look at the ISO certification significance:

• Improved Business Processes: Implementing ISO standards means more streamlined operations, resource optimization, consistent output quality, and waste reduction. The outcome is increased efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
• Access to New Markets: ISO certifications are well-recognized and give companies an advantage in entering and expanding into new domestic and international markets.
• Increased Customer Satisfaction: Processes aligned to ISO standards help organizations deliver high-quality products and services consistently. It leads to higher customer satisfaction, loyalty, and trust.
• Reduced Costs: Improved efficiency, reduced waste, and better resource management can save costs, as organizations optimize their processes and improve productivity.
• Competitive Advantage: ISO certifications have become a differentiating factor in the competitive environment due to their commitment to excellence. It gives logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare companies a competitive edge by attracting more customers.
• Employee Empowerment: Establishing structured ISO standards improves internal coordination, role clarity, and knowledge transfer. It keeps employees more engaged and motivated.
• Risk Management: ISO certification often implies that organizations can manage risks more effectively, leading to sustainable growth and profitability. The standards guide the best line of action to meet the challenges.
• Continuous Improvement: ISO certification brings accountability and responsibility toward continuous improvement. Companies engage in process enhancement through regular reviews.

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Conclusion

The full form of ISO is: International Organization for Standardization. Its main objective is to develop guidelines, specifications, and best practices for organizations to ensure a more streamlined workflow, leading to consistent and high-quality outcomes. Companies complying with these standards receive ISO certifications acknowledging their commitment to excellence.

ISO Full Form FAQs

Where is the Headquarters of ISO located?

The headquarters of ISO are located in Geneva, Switzerland.

What is the latest version of ISO 9001?

The latest version is ISO 9001: 2015.

Who is the chairman of ISO?

The Chairman of ISO is Dr. Sung Hwan Cho from the Republic of Korea.

How long does the ISO certification remain valid?

The validity of ISO certification is for three years.