ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is controlled by its member bodies, which are the national standards organizations of 172 countries. ISO operates as an independent, non-governmental organization.
Here's a breakdown of how control is structured:
- Member Bodies: Each member body represents its country in ISO. These members are typically the leading standards organization in their respective nation.
- General Assembly: The General Assembly is the supreme governing body of ISO, comprising representatives from all member bodies. It meets annually to decide on strategic objectives and policies.
- ISO Council: The ISO Council is responsible for managing ISO's operations and budget. It is elected by the General Assembly.
- Technical Committees: These committees are responsible for developing the actual standards. They are composed of experts from various industries and fields, nominated by the member bodies. The composition of these committees reflects global representation to ensure that standards are both globally relevant and regionally appropriate.
Therefore, while there isn't a single entity "controlling" ISO, the collective decision-making power resides with its member bodies, ensuring a democratic and globally representative approach to standardization. The ISO Council implements these decisions, and the technical committees develop the standards themselves. This distributed governance ensures ISO maintains its neutrality and relevance.
