Acceptance criteria
Predefined standards or conditions that a product, process, or service must satisfy to be considered compliant or successful during evaluation.
Ad hoc group (AhG)
A temporary group formed within a committee to investigate specific issues and report back before disbanding.
Approved work item (AWI)
A work project accepted by a committee to develop a new standard or document.
Audit trail
A documented history of activities and changes made to a system or process, providing traceability for compliance and review.
CASCO (Conformity Assessment Committee)
An ISO committee responsible for conformity assessment standards, which ensures products and services meet specified requirements.
Certification
An independent confirmation that a product, service, or system meets the requirements of a specific standard.
Chair
The person leading a committee, facilitating discussions and consensus, and representing the sector involved.
Committee
A structured group such as a Technical Committee (TC), Subcommittee (SC), or Project Committee (PC), established to develop standards.
Committee Manager
An administrative role responsible for coordinating committee activities, meetings, and communication under ISO principles.
Consensus
General agreement reached by all key stakeholders in a committee, without prolonged objection on substantial points.
Conformity
Fulfillment of all specified requirements set by a standard, ensuring a product or service aligns with its intended purpose.
Convenor
Leader of a Working Group (WG), responsible for managing projects and guiding the group towards consensus.
Data integrity
The accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data throughout its lifecycle, critical for trust in standards compliance.
Development track
The timeline option chosen for a standard’s development, typically 18, 24, or 36 months.
Draft International Standard (DIS)
A stage in standard development where a draft is circulated for review and comment before finalization.
Editorial manager
ISO Central Secretariat member who oversees drafting quality, adherence to rules, and timely delivery of standards.
Expert
A subject matter specialist contributing technical knowledge to develop a standard.
Final Draft International Standard (FDIS)
The last draft of a standard, issued for approval voting before becoming an official International Standard.
Global relevance
A principle that requires ISO standards to be applicable and beneficial on a worldwide scale.
Harmonized Structure
A unified framework adopted in ISO management system standards to ensure coherence and easy integration across different standards.
International Classification for Standards (ICS)
A method for organizing and categorizing standards by industry sector or topic for easier retrieval and reference.
ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
An independent, non-governmental global organization that develops and publishes international standards to ensure quality, safety, efficiency, and interoperability across industries worldwide. ISO standards support innovation and provide business, government, and society with practical tools to address global challenges.
ISO Central Secretariat (ISO/CS)
The administrative office in Geneva that supports ISO committees, manages projects, and coordinates member activities.
ISO/IEC Directives
Guidelines that govern the procedures for standards development and drafting within ISO and IEC.
Management System Standard (MSS)
A standard providing a structured model for managing business processes to achieve specific objectives consistently.
National Standards Body (NSB)
The primary standards organization in each country, representing the country in ISO matters.
New Work Item Proposal (NP)
A formal suggestion for developing a new standard, requiring approval from the relevant committee.
Project Leader
An expert appointed to lead a specific project, managing draft preparation and committee discussions.
Qualification criteria
Requirements used to determine the eligibility of individuals or organizations to participate or vote in ISO work.
Resolution
An official decision made by a committee after discussion or voting.
Standard operating procedure (SOP)
Documented instructions detailing routine activities to ensure consistency and compliance with standards.
Stakeholder engagement
The process of involving individuals or groups with an interest in standards development to ensure relevance and acceptance.
Strategic Business Plan (SBP)
A committee’s roadmap outlining goals, priorities, and how obstacles will be addressed during standards development.
Technical Management Board (TMB)
The ISO board responsible for overseeing all technical committees and the overall standards development process.
Technical Programme Manager (TPM)
The ISO official who supports committees, promotes ISO work, and identifies new standardization opportunities.
Technical subject proposal (TS/P)
A proposed field of work under consideration for establishment as a new technical committee.
Working Draft (WD)
An early draft of a standard circulated to committee members for initial comments and revisions.
Working Group (WG)
A small group within a committee charged with developing draft standards or deliverables on specific topics.