Benefits of International Standards...
International Standards bring technological, economic and societal benefits. They help to
harmonize technical specifications of products and services making industry more efficient and
breaking down barriers to international trade. Conformity to International Standards helps
reassure consumers that products are safe, efficient and good for the environment.
Facts and figures about the benefits of standards
ISO has developed a comprehensive set of case studies and materials describing the economic
and social benefits of standards. We also have an extensive collection of case studies and
resources from other partner organizations.
For business
International Standards are strategic tools and guidelines to help companies tackle some of the
most demanding challenges of modern business. They ensure that business operations are as
efficient as possible, increase productivity and help companies access new markets.
Benefits include:
Cost savings - International Standards help optimise operations and therefore improve
the bottom line
Enhanced customer satisfaction - International Standards help improve quality,
enhance customer satisfaction and increase sales
Access to new markets - International Standards help prevent trade barriers and open up
global markets
Increased market share - International Standards help increase productivity and
competitive advantage
Environmental benefits - International Standards help reduce negative impacts on the
environment
Businesses also benefit from taking part in the standard development process. Read more about
the benefits of getting involved in standards development.
ISO benefits for business and governments
Want to know more about how standards can help your business?
Connect with ISO:
ISO standards – What's the bottom line?
A brochure with hard figures for the benefits of implementing ISO's and other voluntary,
consensus-based standards.
Download
For Society
ISO has over 19 500 standards touching almost all aspects of daily life.
When products and services conform to International Standards consumers can have confidence
that they are safe, reliable and of good quality. For example, ISO's standards on road safety, toy
safety and secure medical packaging are just a selection of those that help make the world a safer
place.
To make sure that the benefits of ISO International Standards are as broad as possible, ISO
supports the involvement of consumers in standard development work with its Committee on
consumer policy (COPOLCO).
International Standards on air, water and soil quality, on emissions of gases and radiation and
environmental aspects of products contribute to efforts to preserve the environment and the
health of citizens.
ISO's standards on toy safety help make the world a safer place.
For government
ISO standards draw on international expertise and experience and are therefore a vital resource
for governments when developing regulations.
National governments can make ISO standards a regulatory requirement (remember ISO
standards themselves are voluntary). This has a number of benefits:
Expert opinion - ISO standards are developed by experts. By integrating an ISO
standard into national regulation, governments can benefit from the opinion of experts
without having to call on their services directly.
Opening up world trade - ISO standards are international and adopted by many
governments. By integrating ISO standards into national regulation, governments help to
ensure that requirements for imports and exports are the same the world over, therefore
facilitating the movement of goods, services and technologies from country to country