The International Organization for Standardization is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations.

Founded on 23 February 1947, the organization promotes worldwide proprietary, industrial, and commercial standards.

It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and works in 164 countries.

It was one of the first organizations granted general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

The three official languages of the ISO are English, French, and Russian.

ISO is a voluntary organization whose members are recognized authorities on standards, each one representing one country. Members meet annually at a General Assembly to discuss the strategic objectives of ISO. The organization is coordinated by a central secretariat based in Geneva.