Straightforward technical solutions for complex human problems.
2023 was “business as usual” – offering solutions to the planet’s most pressing challenges, delivering an ambitious ten-year strategy, and bringing every one of our members on that journey.
Find out how we achieved that as we look at the highlights of a year that focused on collaboration, community and climate action.
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ISO in figures
We continued to grow as an organization, welcoming new members and employees. These are just some of the numbers that tell our story. You can also get further insights or download detailed info.
ISO members
new standards
International Standards and related documents
new employees at our Central Secretariat in Geneva
Highlights
Discover some of the main ways that we evolved our organization and put standards on the frontline of global challenges.
January
ISO participates in the WEF Annual Meeting 2023, where it emphasizes collaboration and inclusion to strengthen multilateral processes. International Standards were discussed as solutions to address global challenges in various sessions.
The Online Standards Development (OSD) platform has now been used in over 100 ISO projects to streamline and simplify the work of their technical experts.
OSD in brief
With online standards development, we are creating an online environment for standards developers in which they can work efficiently and collaboratively. The OSD platform helps lay the foundation for new value-added products and offers standards developers a cloud-based solution for working with multiple contributors across different locations.
February
The World Standards Cooperation (WSC) brought together representatives of IEC, ITU and ISO to explore options for integrating human rights in standards. In a keynote address, Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, spoke about the impact of digital standards in preserving human rights.
ISO participates in high-level bilateral meetings at the Munich Security Conference (MSC). International Standards are advocated as key for effective cybersecurity management. Discover the new version of ISO/IEC 27001.
March
UN Women and ISO are partnering to promote a more gender-inclusive world. The UN-based organization is working alongside ISO to develop guidelines for the promotion and implementation of gender equality.
April
ISO engages in high-level meetings with representatives of the World Economic Forum (WEF) to showcase how International Standards are actionable solutions for critical global challenges. The WEF has expressed interest in collaborating with ISO and its members on various initiatives, including sustainability, plastic pollution, and the circular economy.
May
ISO participates in the second round of negotiations of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution with the goal to stop plastic pollution worldwide by 2030. ISO standards for plastics are already referenced in other similar international agreements.
We bring the power of standards to the G7 Clean Energy Economy Action Plan. The Plan commits G7 members to uphold environmental standards and to work with ISO to develop International Standards for critical minerals markets.
June
ISO addresses the 13th World Chambers Congress in Geneva, where standards are highlighted as solutions for pressing business challenges. How ISO standards help meet the UN SDGs was a key subject of discussion.
The ISO digital learning platform continues to serve as a knowledge hub for ISO members staff and their national stakeholders. Three additional courses on standardization and business are added to the fully digital learning environment.
July
ISO confirms its partnership with the Impact management platform.
The Climate action toolkit for ISO members is published. The toolkit, containing key messages and case studies, empowers ISO members in creating effective climate action advocacy plans.
August
For the first time, ISO compiles at an international level a standardization roadmap for the agrifood sector. The work results from the ISO Strategic Advisory Group on smart farming.
September
The ISO Annual Meeting takes place in Brisbane, Australia. Top leaders from standards, business, civil society, academia and media gather to discuss today’s most pressing challenges and how International Standard can help meet global needs.
ISO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) sign a landmark Statement of Intent, signaling their commitment to the role of International Standards in addressing global development challenges.
October
The ISO community, together with our partners the IEC and ITU, celebrate World Standards Day and a shared vision for a better world.
November
“Zero Defect and Zero Effect” is the key message at the G20 India Standards Dialogue 2023, where ISO participates as part of the WSC.
For the first time, ISO takes part in Agritechnica 2023 – the world’s leading agricultural trade fair – in Hanover, Germany with ISO member for the country (DIN). Standards-based smart farming is key to a more resilient and sustainable future.
The IEC/ISO SMART collaboration framework hosts a workshop to share and review the challenges, achievements and learnings from SMART pilots, including scalability criteria and next steps.
What is SMART?
One of our key areas of work, this joint programme by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and ISO will drive the digital evolution of International Standards to address the needs of citizens, societies and economies. Find out more about how SMART is unleashing the digital power of International Standards.
December
ISO engages world change makers to showcase how International Standards help transform climate commitments into action at COP28, the United Nations climate meeting in Dubai. ISO/TS 19870 on hydrogen technologies is launched by ISO President Ulrika Francke during a COP28 Presidency ministerial roundtable.
ISO and IFRS confirm their shared commitment to cooperate towards efficient and resilient global economies. Both organizations recognize that working together is in the interest of the public.
Finances
Here are the main figures, with the previous year given for reference.
Financial performance (kCHF)
Operating revenue | 2023 | 2022 |
---|---|---|
Membership fees | 21 359 | 21 076 |
Royalties received from members selling ISO standards | 14 949 | 13 595 |
Revenue from members | 36 308 | 34 671 |
Revenue – net sales | 6 620 | 6 814 |
Funded activities | ||
Funds to support Capacity Building activities | 2 620 | 1 449 |
Funds to support ISO Strategy | 1 800 | 454 |
Funded activities - revenue | 4 420 | 1 903 |
Total revenue | 47 348 | 43 388 |
Operating expenditure | 2023 | 2022 |
---|---|---|
Operations | 42 310 | 39 086 |
Funded activities | ||
Capacity Building activities | 2 620 | 1 449 |
Implementation of ISO Strategy | 1 800 | 454 |
Funded activities - expenditure | 4 420 | 1 903 |
Total expenditure | 46 730 | 40 989 |
Operating result | 618 | 2 399 |
Financial gain/-loss | 1 021 | -2 740 |
Net result before allocation to/dissolution of funds | 1 639 | -341 |
Balance sheets as of 31 December (kCHF)
Assets
Current | 2023 | 2022 |
---|---|---|
Cash and cash equivalents | 15 134 | 22 355 |
Receivables, prepaid expenses and accrued income | 4 175 | 4 100 |
Total | 19 309 | 26 455 |
Non-current | 2023 | 2022 |
---|---|---|
Securities and investments | 19 926 | 16 433 |
Rent guarantee for ISO Central Secretariat premises | 2 171 | 2 168 |
Fixed assets | 221 | 265 |
Total | 22 318 | 18 866 |
→ 2023 total assets: 41 627 kCHF
Liabilities
Current | 2023 | 2022 |
---|---|---|
Suppliers and accrued liabilities | 3 755 | 3 632 |
Members’ retrocessions | 4 128 | 5 280 |
Revenue received in advance | 837 | 2 262 |
Total | 8 720 | 11 174 |
Funds | 2023 | 2022 |
---|---|---|
Restricted funds | 9 007 | 11 886 |
Unrestricted funds | 22 261 | 22 602 |
Net result before allocation to/dissolution of funds | 1 639 | -341 |
Total | 32 907 | 34 147 |
→ 2023 total liabilities: 41 627 kCHF
Summary of cash flow statements (kCHF)
Net cash | 2023 | 2022 |
---|---|---|
Net cash from operating activities | -2 869 | 404 |
Net cash from capacity building projects | -1 079 | 2 |
Net cash used in investing activities | -3 273 | -585 |
Net cash and cash equivalents | -7 221 | -179 |
Control | 2023 | 2022 |
---|---|---|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period | 22 355 | 22 534 |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period | 15 134 | 22 355 |
Difference | -7 221 | -179 |
Principal officers
These principal officers were the people navigating ISO towards its strategic goals in 2023. You can also discover the current principle officers by reading their detailed bios.
Sweden
ISO Central Secretariat
Argentina
Germany
Switzerland
Spain
End of term of office is displayed after the role. Past principal officers of ISO is available as a PDF.