Ethics
ISO’s values are also IANOR’s values
“ISO Code of Ethics”
An ISO that is committed and organized to meet the challenges of the 21st century
Voluntary standardization, as practiced by ISO and its members, is an appropriate mechanism for addressing the complex challenges faced by the economy, governments, and society as a whole at the dawn of the 21st century.
Its transparent processes, based on consensus and drawing on the input of practicing experts and the participation of relevant stakeholders, provide up-to-date and realistic solutions to disseminate technologies and innovation, facilitate trade, establish effective processes and enhance their performance, while ensuring product and service quality and safeguarding the environment.
As providers of solutions to businesses, governments, and society, ISO and its members recognize that it is imperative to conduct their activities ethically to earn the trust of all parties involved in standardization. ISO members, their constituent entities—including technical committees, governing bodies, and central support functions—shall act in accordance with this Code of Ethics and promote adherence to ISO’s values by other individuals and organizations participating in the ISO standardization system.
Each ISO member commits to being the most broadly representative standardization body in its country. An ISO member may, if it wishes, delegate some of the rights and duties arising from its membership to other organizations within its country. However, it remains accountable to other ISO members for its primary responsibilities and must ensure, in the event of delegation, that these responsibilities are not compromised.
Development of internationally relevant standards through a fair, attentive, and effective approach.
ISO members commit to developing globally relevant international standards by:
- Ensuring the fair and diligent application of the principles of transparency, openness, impartiality, and the voluntary nature of standardization;
- Organizing their national contribution in an effective and diligent manner, while incorporating all relevant interests at the national level;
- Implementing appropriate measures to facilitate the participation of consumers and other affected parties from civil society, SMEs, and public authorities.
ISO members commit to ensuring, to the fullest extent of their capabilities, that they contribute to ISO’s global consensus-building mechanisms, coherence, and relevance:
- Diligently and properly adhering to authorized ISO procedures
- Preventing conflicts of interest through fair and transparent communication to stakeholders when new standardization work is undertaken, and subsequently by keeping them informed of the progress of the work.
Promoting the implementation of international standards and their corresponding best practices in conformity assessment.
- Effectively promoting the implementation of ISO International Standards and other normative publications to support the dissemination of technologies, best practices, and sustainable development, and to reduce technical barriers to trade, including those that may arise from technical regulations.
- Contributing to the development of conformity assessment standards and guides, and promoting their equitable adoption and use, with particular emphasis on requirements pertaining to integrity, objectivity, and impartiality.
- Applying the requirements set out in ISO/IEC conformity assessment standards and guides within their own conformity assessment activities, should they themselves, or a related body under their responsibility, undertake such activities.
Vigilance regarding ISO’s integrity and protection of its image
ISO members:
- Act on behalf of and in the interest of ISO as a whole when serving in positions within ISO’s governing bodies, following their election or appointment by the ISO members.
- Agree to assume a fair share of the costs of maintaining ISO’s infrastructure, including those related to the functions of the ISO Central Secretariat, in accordance with the contribution modalities established by the ISO Council.
- Comply with the terms established by the Council for the reproduction and distribution of ISO publications protected by copyright.
- Take all necessary measures and make all appropriate arrangements to ensure the proper use of the ISO name, trademark, and logo, and to prevent any unauthorized sale of ISO publication texts in any form whatsoever.