ARCHIVED: What is the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and where can I find information about it?

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The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) was established in 1947 as a means of coordinating, developing, and unifying industrial and technical standards. Through the establishment of precise specifications, the organization seeks to improve the compatibility, safety, simplicity, quality, and economic viability of products for many industries. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the ISO is composed of representatives from standards organizations in each of its member countries, and does its work through committees that establish standards for industry, research, and government. For example, ANSI (American National Standards Institute) is the ISO's United States representative, and JTC 1 is the committee for information technology.

For more information, see the ISO's web page at:

  http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm