International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Why in News?
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is recently in the news due to the release and upcoming transition of its two most widely used global standards—ISO 14001:2026 (Environmental Management) and ISO 9001:2026 (Quality Management)—and India hosting a major ISO plenary on space systems.
About ISO
- What it is: An independent, non-governmental international organisation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 1947.
- Membership: Comprised of 170+ national standards bodies; India is represented by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
- Core Function: Brings together global experts to develop voluntary, consensus-based international standards that ensure the quality, safety, and efficiency of products and services.
Key Standard Families
- ISO 9000: Quality Management.
- ISO 14000: Environmental Management.
- ISO 27000: Information Security.
- ISO 45001: Occupational Health and Safety.
The 2026 Revision Themes
- Climate Action: New amendments now make it mandatory for organisations to consider climate change risks within their management systems.
- Harmonized Structure: Standards are being aligned to a common structure (formerly Annex SL) to make it easier for businesses to integrate multiple certifications.
- Digitalization & Ethics: Increased focus on data-driven governance, organizational resilience, and ethical practices in the digital age.
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