Levels of standardization

International, regional and national standardization

Standards are drawn up at international, regional, national and company level. The coordination of work at these levels is ensured by common structures and cooperation agreements.

International standard

Standard that is adopted by an international standardizing/standards organization and made available to the public. Example:
ISO, International Organization for Standardization: Its work concerns all the fields of standardization, except electrical and electronic engineering standards, which fall within the scope of the IEC.
IEC, International Electrotechnical Commission: is responsible for international standardization in the fields of electricity, electronics and related technologies

ITU, International Telecommunications Union: develops the fields of both telecommunications and radiocommunications.

Regional standardization

Standard that is adopted by regional standardizing/standards organization and made available to the public.

ARSO, African Regional Organization for Standardization: elaborate and harmonize regional standards
CEN, European Committee for Standardization: draws up European standards and regroups 18 European standards institutes.
CENELEC, European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization: fulfills within the electrotechnical sector the same functions as CEN

ETSI, European Telecommunications Standards Institute: develops European standards in the telecommunications field.

National standardization

Standard that is adopted by national standards body and made available to the public
Each country possesses its own national standardization system. The central or most representative national standards body participates within the regional or international bodies.