International standards carry the ISO prefix. CEN, the European Committee for Standardisation.
If quality improvement is a race without a finish line, ISO 9000 is the starting point.
Theoretically, the ISO's own independent staff is supposed to bridle committee members' self-interest.
"Many companies don't have the resources to devote to the ISO function," Hartford's Mr. Martin explains.
This certifies corporate quality systems in accordance with the so-called international ISO 9000 standard.
Also, a working group is developing an international standard (ISO 9241) dealing with software ergonomics and the man-machine interface. Ultimately, however, software developers have to work harder to understand people.
Armstrong World Industries Inc. said it completed its acquisition of ISO Holding AG of Switzerland.
The only area where the ISO is not active is in the electrical industry.
But ISO documents show how weak its influence really is.