Membership of
ISO certification is open to national standards institutes or similar organizations most
representative of standardization in their country (one member in each
country). Full members, known as Member Bodies each have one vote,
whatever the size or strength of the economy of the country concerned. In
addition, ISO certification also has two categories of membership for countries with fewer
resources. They pay reduced membership fees. Although such members do not have
a vote, they can remain up to date on standardization developments. Correspondent
members are usually organizations in countries which do not yet have a
fully developed national standards activity. Correspondent members do not take
an active part in the technical work, but are entitled to be kept fully
informed about the work of interest to them. Subscriber members are
institutes from countries with very small economies that nevertheless wish to
maintain contact with international standardization.
Although
individuals or enterprises are not eligible for membership, both have a range
of opportunities for taking part in ISO's work, or in contributing to the
development of standards through the ISO member in their country. Individuals
may be selected by member institutes to serve on national delegations
participating in ISO technical committees, or may provide their input during
the process of developing a national consensus for presentation by the delegation.
International organizations and associations, both non-governmental and
representing industry sectors, can apply for liaison status to a technical
committee. They do not vote, but can participate in the debates and the
development of consensus.
ISO standards are developed by technical
committees comprising experts on loan from the industrial, technical
and business sectors which have asked for the standards, and which subsequently
put them to use.
