Many people mistakenly believe ISO stands for "International Standards Organization" or something like that. However, ISO is NOT an acronym (abbreviation); it comes from the Greek word isos, which means ÒequalÓ. Its English name is International Organization for Standardization, while in French it is called Organisation Internationale de Normalisation; so using an acronym would require different ones in different languages (for example: IOS in English, or OIN in French). Since, this would be contrary to the idea of standardization, the founders of the organization chose ISO as the sole official short form of its name. The ISO was established in 1947 with its headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland). Today, over 150 countries are cooperating and participating in the organization and its activities to harmonize standards and rules around the world.

As long as they are strictly adhered to, common standards enable us to buy a product in one country and use it all over the world. For instance, if we take our camera on a trip overseas we can buy film anywhere because it is all the same size and type wherever we may go. Without such common standards, the film might not work or even fit in our camera. As long as they are strictly adhered to, common standards enable us to buy a product in one country and use it all over the world. For instance, if we take our camera on a trip overseas we can buy film anywhere because it is all the same size and type wherever we may go. Without such common standards, the film might not work or even fit in our camera.