The International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

ISO, is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations. Founded on 23 February 1947, the organization promulgates world-wide industrial and commercial standards. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. While the ISO defines itself as a non-governmental organization, its ability to set standards that often become law, either through treaties or national standards, makes it more powerful than most NGOs. In practice, the ISO acts as a consortium with strong links to governments. ISO is a global federation of national standards bodies from approximately 158 national members, out of the 195 total countries in the world. Today, ISO standards are accepted worldwide as the method by which manufacturers and service providers can achieve maximum convenience and efficiency in the exchange of goods and services.
ISO is International Standard and deliverables Support:
Facilitation of global Trade. Improvement of quality , safety, security , environmental and consumer protection Global dissemination of technologies and good practices
Most Popular Titles From ISO:
ISO 9001:2000 Quality management systems , ISO 14971:2007 Medical devices - Application of risk management to medical devices , ISO 14001:2004 Environmental management systems , ISO 10012:2003 Measurement management systems, ISO 13485:2003 Medical devices - Quality management systems , ISO 19011:2002 Guidelines for quality and/or environmental management systems auditing , ISO/TS 16949:2002 is an ISO Technical Specification, ISO 22000 certificate proves that your food safety system and AS 9100 Certification

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The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)

Founded in 1906 with British scientist Lord Kelvin as its first president, the IEC has a long history of service to the market. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental international standards organization that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies – collectively known as "electrotechnology". IEC standards cover a vast range of technologies from power generation, transmission and distribution to home appliances and office equipment, semiconductors, fibre optics, batteries, solar energy, nanotechnology and marine energy to mention just a few. Wherever you find electricity and electronics, the IEC supporting safety and performance, the environment, electrical energy efficiency and renewable energies. The IEC also manages conformity assessment schemes that certify whether equipment, systems or components conform to its International Standards. The IEC was instrumental in developing and distributing standards for units of measurement, particularly the gauss, hertz, and weber. In order to distinguish standards published by the International Electrotechnical Commission numerically from other international standards, their number range was shifted in 1997 by adding 60000.
Kinds of members(IEC)
There are two forms of active participation in the IEC's work. Full Membership allows countries to participate fully in international standardization activities. Full Members are National Committees each having equal voting rights. Associate Membership allows for limited participation of countries with limited resources. Associate members may participate in all technical meetings and in the Council and SMB meetings held within the framework of the annual General Meeting. They have access rights and can comment on all IEC technical documents (from new work to Final Draft International Standards).

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The International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

is an international organization established to standardize and regulate international radio and telecommunications. It was founded as the International Telegraph Union in Paris on May 17, 1865. Its main tasks include standardization, allocation of the radio spectrum, and organizing interconnection arrangements between different countries to allow international phone calls — in which regard it performs for telecommunications a similar function to what the UPU performs for postal services. It is one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations, and has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, next to the main United Nations campus.
The ITU is made up of three bureaux:
1- The Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB), known prior to 1992 as the International      Telephone and Telegraph Consultative Committee or CCITT (from its French name "Comité      consultatif international téléphonique et télégraphique");
2- The Radiocommunication Bureau (BR), known prior to 1992 as the International Radio Consultative      Committee or CCIR (from its French name "Comité consultatif international des      radiocommunications");
3-The Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), created in 1992.

The international standards that are produced by the ITU are referred to as "Recommendations" (with the word ordinarily capitalized to distinguish its meaning from the ordinary sense of the word). Due to its longevity as an international organization and its status as a specialized agency of the United Nations, standards promulgated by the ITU carry a higher degree of formal international recognition than those of most other organizations that publish technical specifications of a similar form.

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The Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements or IRMM, located in Geel, Belgium, is one of the seven institutes of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), a Directorate-General of the European Commission (EC). The IRMM promotes a common and reliable European measurement system in support of European Union policies. The institute works on the production and dissemination of quality assurance tools, such as validated methods, reference materials, reference measurements, interlaboratory comparisons and training. The institute was founded in 1957 under the Treaties of Rome and started operation in 1960 under the name of the Central Bureau for Nuclear Measurements (CBNM). In 1993 the institute was renamed to reflect the new mission of the institute, which covers a wide range of measurement problems from food safety to environmental pollution.
The IRMM has six core areas of competence:
Reference materials.
Food analysis.
Bioanalysis Chemical reference measurements.
Radionuclide metrology.
Neutron physics.

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The American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has served in its capacity as administrator and coordinator of the United States private sector voluntary standardization system for more than 90 years. Founded in 1918 by five engineering societies and three government agencies, the Institute remains a private, nonprofit membership organization supported by a diverse constituency of private and public sector organizations. The organization also coordinates U.S. standards with international standards so that American products can be used worldwide. For example, standards make sure that people who own cameras can find the film they need for them anywhere around the globe. ANSI accredits standards that are developed by representatives of standards developing organizations, government agencies, consumer groups, companies, and others. These standards ensure that the characteristics and performance of products are consistent, that people use the same definitions and terms, and that products are tested the same way. ANSI also accredits organizations that carry out product or personnel certification in accordance with requirements defined in international standards. The organization's headquarters are in Washington, DC. ANSI's operations office is located in New York City.
ACCREDITED STANDARDIZATION ACTIVITIES
ANSI-Accredited Standard Developers
U.S. Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) to ISO Technical Committees
U.S. Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) to IEC Technical Committees
ANSI Accredited Personnel Certification Programs (ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024)

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The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

ASTM International was formed in 1898 in the United States as the American Society for Testing and Materials by a group of scientists and engineers, led by Charles Benjamin Dudley, to address the frequent rail breaks plaguing the fast-growing railroad industry. The group developed a standard for the steel used to fabricate rails.
ASTM International is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world-a trusted source for technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services. Known for their high technical quality and market relevancy, ASTM International standards have an important role in the information infrastructure that guides design, manufacturing and trade in the global economy. Standards developed at ASTM are the work of over 30,000 ASTM members. These technical experts represent producers, users, consumers, government and academia from over 120 countries. Participation in ASTM International is open to all with a material interest, anywhere in the world.
The environment was yet another area where ASTM established a major presence during the 1970s. As in consumer products, social activism and government intervention were important factors. Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, a penetrating analysis of pesticides such as DDT in the food chain published in 1962, helped trigger the modern environmental movement, whose participants were particularly concerned about air and water quality.
The ASTM International Directory of Equipment Manufacturers
The ASTM International Directory of Testing Laboratories
The ASTM Directory of Scientific and Technical Consultants

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The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Established in 1896, NFPA serves as the world's leading advocate of fire prevention and is an authoritative source on public safety. In fact, NFPA's 300 codes and standards influence every building, process, service, design, and installation in the United States, as well as many of those used in other countries. NFPA's focus on true consensus has helped the association's code-development process earn accreditation from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

The National Fire Protection Association is an independent, voluntary-membership, nonprofit (tax-exempt) organization. Incorporated in 1930 under laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, NFPA’s mission is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating scientifically-based consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. NFPA’s international headquarters is located in Quincy, Massachusetts, USA. A board of directors has general charge of the affairs of the Association.
NFPA develops, publishes, and disseminates more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.

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The American Petroleum Institute (API)

The American Petroleum Institute, commonly referred to as API, is the main U.S. trade association for the oil and natural gas industry, representing about 400 corporations involved in production, refinement, distribution, and many other aspects of the industry. The association’s chief functions on behalf of the industry include advocacy and negotiation with governmental, legal, and regulatory agencies; research into economic, toxicological, and environmental effects; establishment and certification of industry standards; and education outreach.
For more than 75 years, API has led the development of petroleum and petrochemical equipment and operating standards. These represent the industry’s collective wisdom on everything from drill bits to environmental protection and embrace proven, sound engineering and operating practices and safe, interchangeable equipment and materials. API maintains more than 500 standards and recommended practices

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The Japanese Standards Association (JSA)

The Japanese Standards Association, an organization formed through the merger of the Dai Nihon Aerial Technology Association and the Japan Management Association, was authorized to incorporate by the Minister of Trade and Industry on December 6, 1945 Its office was first established at the Patent and Standards Bureau in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, and then moved to Akasaka, Minato-ku in 1962. The objective of the association is "to educate the public regarding the standardization and unification of industrial standards, and thereby to contribute to the improvement of technology and the enhancement of production efficiency JSA investigates and studies the application and practical aspects of quality engineering (Taguchi Methods), data analysis methods, and techniques used for raising reliability and motivation.
JSA develops draft JIS in various fields. These include JIS on technical drawings, tolerances, units, sampling inspection and quality assessment models and rules for the drafting and presentation of JIS in the basic and common fields; on graphic image processing, multimedia and information exchange codes in the IT field; on terminology for biological engineering and membranes in the biotechnology field; on standards in the environmental management field. JSA also commissions work to develop JIS in highly technical fields to related industrial and other organizations.

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American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (A.S.M.E) is a professional body, specifically an engineering society, focused on mechanical engineering.
The ASME was founded in 1880 by Alexander Lyman Holley, Henry Rossiter Worthington, John Edison Sweet and Matthias N. Forney in response to numerous steam boiler pressure vessel failures. The organization is known for setting codes and standards for mechanical devices. The ASME conducts one of the world's largest technical publishing operations through its ASME Press, holds numerous technical conferences and hundreds of professional development courses each year, and sponsors numerous outreach and educational programs.
ASME ST-LLC is a not-for-profit Limited Liability Company, with ASME as the sole Member. ASME ST-LLC was formed to perform work related to newly commercialized technology and it is the R&D organization for ASME Codes and Standards. As of 2006, the ASME has 120,000 members.
Core values include:
   - Embrace integrity and ethical conduct.
   - Embrace diversity and respect the dignity and culture of all people.
   - Nurture and treasure the environment and our natural and man-made resources.
   - Facilitate the development, dissemination and application of engineering knowledge.
   - Promote the benefits of continuing education and of engineering education.
   - Respect and document engineering history while continually embracing change.
   - Promote the technical and societal contribution of engineers

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The Canadian Standards Association (CSA)

CSA International was established as a provider of product testing and certification services in 1999. Prior to CSA International, product testing and certification services were provided by the laboratories of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), which was originally founded in 1919 as the Canadian Engineering Standards Association (CESA).

The Canadian Standards Association is a not-for-profit membership-based association serving business, industry, government and consumers in Canada and the global marketplace.

Work in Canada and around the world to develop standards that address real needs, such as enhancing public safety and health. Advancing the quality of life. Helping to preserve the environment. Facilitating trade. And help people understand standards through education and information products and services Certification is the procedure by which a facility, product, service or system becomes tested or inspected and certified in conformity with the applicable standard or other recognized document(s). Certification of a product is an ongoing process that involves follow up factory inspections and retail surveillance to ensure conformity.

CSA International certifies products in the following categories: Gas Equipment, Construction Products and Materials, Life Sciences, Electrical and Electronics, Communications, Energy.

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The Telecommunications Industries Association (TIA)

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) is a trade association in the US that represents about 600 telecommunications companies. The TIA will coproduce nXtcomm, a trade show for the telecommunications industry that replaces TIA's GLOBALCOMM (formerly SUPERCOMM) and TelecomNext.
In 1924, a small group of suppliers to the independent telephone industry organized to plan an industry trade show. Later, that group became a committee of the United States Independent Telephone Association.Since 1988, TIA has advocated numerous policy issues for the benefit of its members, has sponsored engineering committees that set standards that determine the pace of development in the industry, has provided a marketplace for members and their customers, and has served as a forum for the examination of industry issues and industry information. In the fall of 2000, the MultiMedia Telecommunications Association (MMTA) was integrated into TIA.

TIA is the leading trade association for the information, communications and enterntainment technology industry. TIA serves industry suppliers to global markets through its leadership in standards development, domestic and international policy advocacy, and facilitating member business opportunities. TIA represents the communications sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA). The Standards and Technology Department staff provide administrative support to the Technical Committee and its sub-elements, the product-oriented divisions and their sub-elements.

The committees and subcommittees sponsored by the five divisions ( Fiber Optics, User Premises Equipment, Wireless Communications, Communications Research and Satellite Communications) formulate standards to serve the industry and users well into the next century.

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The Codex Alimentarius

is a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other recommendations relating to foods, food production and food safety under the aegis of consumer protection.
These texts are developed and maintained by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a body that was established in 1963 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Health Organization (WHO). The Commission's main aims are stated as being to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the international food trade. The Codex Alimentarius is recognized by the World Trade Organization as an international reference point for the resolution of disputes concerning food safety and consumer protection.

The Codex Alimentarius officially covers all foods, whether processed, semi-processed or raw, but far more attention has been given to foods that are marketed directly to consumers. In addition to standards for specific foods, the Codex Alimentarius contains general standards covering matters such as food labeling, food hygiene, food additives and pesticide residues, and procedures for assessing the safety of foods derived from modern biotechnology. It also contains guidelines for the management of official (i.e., governmental) import and export inspection and certification systems for foods.

Specific standards:
   - Meat products (fresh, frozen, processed meats and poultry)
   - Fish and fishery products (marine, fresh water and aquaculture)
   - Milk and milk products
   - Foods for special dietary uses (including infant formulae and baby foods)
   - Fresh and processed vegetables, fruits, and fruit juices
   - Cereals and derived products, dried legumes
   - Fats, oils and derived products such as margarine
   - Miscellaneous food products (chocolate, sugar, honey, mineral water)

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and is responsible for regulating food, dietary supplements, drugs, biological medical products, blood products, medical devices, radiation-emitting devices, veterinary products, and cosmetics in the United States. The agency is headquartered in unincorporated Montgomery County, Maryland, southeast of the city of Rockville.
The FDA is an agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Currently, the FDA is subdivided into various Centers and offices that specialize in certain areas of regulation.
FDA has the following subdivisions:
    - The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)
    - The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)
    - The Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER)
    - The Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH)
    - The Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM)
    - The National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR)
    - The Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA)
    - The Office of the Commissioner (OC)

The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition is the branch of the FDA which is responsible for ensuring the safety and accurate labeling of nearly all food products in the United States. One exception is products derived from traditional domesticated animals, such as cattle and chickens, which fall under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service.

FDA's Mission Statement:
The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health.

FDA Regulates:
Foods: labeling, safety of all food products (except meat and poultry), bottled water.
Medical Devices: premarket approval of new devices, manufacturing and performance standards, tracking reports of device malfunctioning and serious adverse reactions.
Radiation-Emitting Electronic Products:
radiation safety performance standards for microwave ovens, television receivers, diagnostic x-ray equipment, cabinet x-ray systems (such as baggage x-rays at airports), laser products, ultrasonic therapy equipment, mercury vapor lamps, and sunlamps accrediting and inspecting mammography facilities
Veterinary Products:livestock feeds, pet foods, veterinary drugs and devices.
Cosmetics: safety, labeling.
Drugs: product approvals,OTC and prescription drug labeling,drug manufacturing standards..

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