ISO Standardization

About ISO standardization

Founded in Geneva in 1947, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) exists to promote the development of standardization and related activities worldwide – making it easier to exchange goods and services internationally, and supporting cooperation in intellectual, scientific, technological, and economic activity. ISO’s work produces international agreements that are published as International Standards. 

ISO was founded by the national standards bodies of 25 countries; today it brings together members from over 160 countries, one per country. Canada’s member is the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). ISO has since published more than 25,000 International Standards covering almost every sector.  

The origin of ISO 9000

Despite the spread of product standards, organizations still struggled to deliver consistent output, and customers couldn’t always trust their supply chain. To address this, ISO formed technical committee TC 176 to develop process requirements, and in 1987 the committee published the first ISO 9000 series of standards.

Early on, the family included several standards – ISO 9001, ISO 9002, ISO 9003, and ISO 9004. The quality management requirements standard, ISO 9001, has since been revised several times: in 1994, 2000, 2008, and most recently in 2015. ISO 9001:2015 is the current edition (ISO 9002 and ISO 9003 were withdrawn in the 2000 revision).  

What getting certified means?

Getting certified to an international standard means an organization maintains documented arrangements – technical specifications or precise criteria used consistently as rules, guidelines, or definitions – so that materials, products, processes, and services are fit for purpose. Because the standard requires processes to be documented, the organization plans its work deliberately and guides staff to carry out tasks correctly the first time, every time. International Standards make life simpler and increase the reliability and effectiveness of the goods and services we use, so the whole supply chain becomes more trustworthy.

Why does business need international standardization?

International standardization is well established across many fields – information processing and communications, textiles, packaging, distribution, energy production and use, shipbuilding, and banking and financial services. It helps an organization achieve its purpose, reduce non-value-added activity, and motivate employees toward quality products and services. By specifying the requirements of a business system and the expectations of customers, an ISO standard gives an organization globally recognized credibility that helps it win more business.

The benefits of international standardization

• Clearly specifies the requirements of your business system
• Creates a more efficient, effective operation
• Increases customer satisfaction and retention
• Enhances your marketing and credibility
• Improves employee motivation, awareness, and morale
• Promotes international trade
• Supports profitability
• Educates employees on the importance of quality and the business system
• Drives continual improvement in business processes
• Reduces waste and increases productivity

Standards for every sector

New standards have emerged across all sectors with more specific requirements. Widely used examples include ISO 14001 (environment), ISO 20000 (IT service management), ISO 22000 (food safety), ISO/IEC 27001 (information security), ISO 29001 (oil and gas), ISO 13485 (medical devices), and IATF 16949 (automotive). ISO 50001 for energy management addresses the growing demand for energy efficiency.  

Contact IAS today to learn more about ISO standardization, or visit our frequently asked questions page.

Explore more

• ISO Certification in Canada – all IAS management system schemes
• ISO in Canada – an overview of ISO certification in Canada
• ISO 9001 Certification in Canada – the most widely adopted standard