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ISO (International Organization for Standardization) | Institution Profile

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INSTITUTION PROFILE / NANOTECHNOLOGY

ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
The publisher of the international standards that fix nanotechnology's terminology, measurement methods and safety guidance

ISO is a network of national standards bodies with its Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. It does not license the manufacture or sale of nanomaterials. Through its technical committee ISO/TC 229 (Nanotechnologies), it publishes international standards on terminology (the ISO 80004 series), methods for measuring particle size and related properties, material specifications, and occupational health, safety and environment guidance. ISO standards, however, are voluntary and carry no legal force of their own. Which of them matter in practice depends on whether a law, a certification scheme or a contract cites them. This profile looks at one question only: how far ISO's influence over nanotechnology actually reaches, in terms of the kind of power it holds and where that power applies.

Sources: ISO's website (organisation pages, the ISO/TC 229 committee page and its list of standards, individual standard pages, and ISO's explanation of the legal status of its standards) and the Official Journal text of Commission Recommendation 2022/C 229/01. Last updated October 2026.

Educational illustration: ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
Conceptual image generated with ImageGen. A conceptual standards discussion comparing terminology and measurement methods. Not actual premises, staff, meetings or decisions.
What this article covers
  1. ISO in 30 seconds
  2. What kind of body it is: the four types of influence
  3. What it does for nanotechnology
  4. How far its influence reaches (powers and geography)
  5. Organisations around it
  6. Outlook
  7. Glossary, references and claim-to-source audit

1. ISO in 30 seconds

FULL NAMEInternational Organization for StandardizationKnown as ISO. Nanotechnology is handled by its technical committee ISO/TC 229, Nanotechnologies
COUNTRY / REGIONInternational (Switzerland)Central Secretariat in Geneva. The secretariat of TC 229 is held by the United Kingdom (BSI)
TYPE OF BODYNon-governmental international organisationAn independent body made up of national standards bodies. Use of its standards is voluntary
ESTABLISHEDISO 1947 / TC 229 2005In 1946, 65 delegates from 25 countries met in London; ISO was officially founded in 1947. TC 229 was created in 2005
SCALE (PEOPLE)177 member bodiesOne per country. The Central Secretariat's headcount could not be confirmed. TC 229 has 37 participating and 18 observing members
SCALE (OUTPUT)26,521 standards and other deliverablesAcross 844 committees (all fields combined). TC 229 lists 118 published and 38 under development (counts include updates)
ROLE IN NANOTECHNOLOGYWriting standardsTerminology and naming, measurement and characterization, material specifications, health, safety and environment
REACHAn international reference pointForce depends on how each country or region cites the standards in law and certification
The one point to grasp first

What ISO sets are shared yardsticks: how to define terms at the nanoscale, how to measure particle size, how to manage risk in the workplace. It does not grant permission to sell a nanomaterial, and it does not rule a material "safe" or "hazardous". ISO itself states that its International Standards and other deliverables (TS, PAS, IWA, TR) are voluntary, contain no contractual, legal or statutory requirements, and do not replace national law Sourced. The legal definition of a nanomaterial is not set by ISO either; each jurisdiction's law sets it. In the EU, a Commission Recommendation gives a definition centred on at least 50% of particles, by number, having a dimension of 1 to 100 nm (with exceptions for fibre-like and plate-like particles), and its recitals say the definition's core terms should build on existing standardised terms (ISO, CEN) Sourced. In short, ISO supplies the common vocabulary and measurement methods that laws can draw on; it does not draw the legal line.

2. What kind of body it is: the four types of influence

The institutions that appear in nanotechnology coverage do not make nanomaterials themselves, unlike companies. They can be grouped into four types by the route through which they influence the field.

Four types of institution that shape nanotechnology Institutions do not make nanomaterials themselves; they differ in how they influence the field Funding Policy & regulation Standards Convening Allocates R&D budgets Strategy, grants, law Terms, tests, guidance Hubs and joint research NNI / European Commission European Commission / FDA ISO / OECD / NIST NIMS / imec What to research What to allow or require How to name and measure Who researches with whom Reach: own budget Reach: own country/region Reach: where adopted Reach: participants ISO is the Standards type: it builds yardsticks, but adoption is voluntary Even within nanotechnology, how influence reaches industry differs sharply by type
Fig. 1 The four types of institution that shape nanotechnology, and where ISO sits. The grouping is this article's own, and the institution names are examples drawn from this series Our calculation. The European Commission appears under two types because it has both a policy-and-regulation role and a funding role.

3. What it does for nanotechnology

Nanotechnology standards are written by ISO/TC 229 (Nanotechnologies). According to ISO's committee page, TC 229 was created in 2005 and its secretariat is held by the UK (BSI). Its scope covers standardisation for the understanding and control of matter and processes at the nanoscale (typically, but not exclusively, below 100 nanometres in one or more dimensions), and for using the properties of nanoscale materials to create improved materials, devices and systems. The listed tasks are terminology and nomenclature; metrology and instrumentation (including specifications for reference materials); test methodologies; modelling and simulation; and science-based health, safety and environmental practices Sourced.

ItemISO/TC 229 (checked on 9 October 2026)
Created / secretariat2005. Secretariat: United Kingdom (BSI)
Number of standards118 published and 38 under development (ISO notes that the counts include updates)
Members37 participating (P) members and 18 observing (O) members
Working groupsTerminology and nomenclature (JWG 1); measurement and characterization (JWG 2, joint with IEC/TC 113); health, safety and environmental aspects (WG 3); material specifications (WG 4); products and applications (WG 5); sustainability, consumer and societal dimensions (TG 2); nano-bio (TG 4, AHG 2); advanced materials (AHG 1); Chair's Advisory Group (CAG)
Linked committeesIEC/TC 113 (nanotechnology for electrotechnical products and systems), plus many others including particle characterization (ISO/TC 24/SC 4), surface chemical analysis (ISO/TC 201), cosmetics (ISO/TC 217) and biological evaluation of medical devices (ISO/TC 194)

* Counts are as shown on ISO's committee page. Working-group names are ISO's own, abbreviated.

The table below organises the main standards according to what their ISO pages say. The standards themselves are sold, so this article uses only titles, publication months, editions, page counts, stages and the published abstracts. Withdrawn earlier editions (for example ISO/TS 80004-1:2015) are left out.

AreaStandard (ISO's wording)Edition, status and abstract
Terminology (core)ISO 80004-1:2023 Nanotechnologies – Vocabulary — Part 1: Core vocabularyEdition 1, published July 2023, 12 pages. Stage "International Standard published (60.60)". It defines the core terms of nanotechnology. It replaced four earlier documents: ISO/TS 80004-1:2015, ISO/TS 80004-2:2015, ISO/TS 80004-4:2011 and ISO/TS 80004-11:2017 (ISO life-cycle display)
Terminology (specialised)ISO/TS 80004-3:2020 Carbon nano-objects
ISO/TS 80004-6:2021 Nano-object characterization
ISO/TS 80004-8:2020 Nanomanufacturing processes
ISO/TS 80004-13:2024 Graphene and other two-dimensional (2D) materials
IEC/TS 80004-9:2017 Nano-enabled electrotechnical products and systems		All are second editions except IEC/TS 80004-9 (first edition). Part 3: November 2020, 11 pages. Part 6: March 2021, 24 pages. Part 8: November 2020, 29 pages. Part 13: September 2024, 23 pages. IEC/TS 80004-9: January 2017, 6 pages. Part 13 is at stage 60.60 (published); the others are at 90.93 (confirmed). The abstract of Part 13 says it defines terms for graphene, graphene-related 2D materials and other 2D materials, including production methods, properties and characterization
Nomenclature and plain-language guideISO/TS 5341:2026 Nomenclature — General
ISO/TR 18401:2017 Plain language explanation of selected terms from the ISO/IEC 80004 series		TS 5341: edition 1, April 2026, 15 pages; it gives the principles and rules for naming general terms in nanotechnologies. TR 18401: June 2017, 13 pages; it helps stakeholders who make decisions on the direction, management and application of nanotechnologies to understand selected key terms
Measurement (particle size and shape)ISO 17200:2020 Nanoparticles in powder form — Characteristics and measurements
ISO 19749:2021 Particle size and shape distributions by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
ISO 21363:2020 Particle size and shape distributions by transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
ISO 21362:2026 Analysis of nano-objects using asymmetrical flow and centrifugal field-flow fractionation		17200: September 2020, 8 pages; it specifies the characteristics to measure for engineered nanoparticle powders (size, chemical content, surface area) and the methods; stage 90.93 (confirmed). 19749: July 2021, 71 pages; stage 90.20 (under systematic review). 21363: June 2020, 83 pages; stage 90.92 (to be revised), and a new work item for a revision, ISO/AWI 21363, is registered. 21362: published February 2026, 57 pages; it replaced the 2018 technical specification
Measurement (in liquids, number concentration)ISO/TS 21357:2022 Static multiple light scattering (SMLS)
ISO/TS 19590:2024 Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS)
ISO/TS 24672:2023 Guidance on the measurement of nanoparticle number concentration		21357: January 2022, 23 pages; confirmed. 19590: second edition, August 2024, 29 pages; it sets out the conditions for detecting, characterizing and quantifying nano-objects in aqueous suspension. 24672: November 2023, 50 pages; it surveys methods for the number concentration of nanoparticles in liquid dispersions and aerosols (differential centrifugal sedimentation, multi-angle dynamic light scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering, UV-vis spectroscopy and others)
Material specification and classification (graphene)ISO/TS 9651:2025 Classification framework for graphene-related 2D materials
ISO/TS 21356-1:2021 Structural characterization of graphene — Part 1
ISO/TS 23359:2025 Chemical characterization of graphene-related 2D materials		9651: July 2025, 22 pages; a framework that classifies sheet and particle forms of graphene-related 2D materials by their characteristics and measurement methods. 21356-1: March 2021, 48 pages; stage 90.92 (to be revised). 23359: August 2025, 47 pages; methods for characterizing the chemical properties of powders and liquid dispersions, such as elemental composition
Health, safety and environmentISO/TS 12901-1:2024 Occupational risk management applied to engineered nanomaterials — Part 1
ISO/TS 12901-2:2026 Part 2: Use of the control banding approach
ISO/TS 13329:2024 Preparation of safety data sheets (SDS)
ISO/TR 12885:2018 Health and safety practices in occupational settings		12901-1: second edition, August 2024, 46 pages; guidance on occupational health and safety measures across the life cycle, including engineering controls and personal protective equipment. 12901-2: second edition, February 2026, 31 pages; guidance on a control banding approach that can be used even where toxicity and exposure knowledge is limited. 13329: second edition, September 2024, 22 pages; stage 90.92 (to be revised). TR 12885: second edition, December 2018, 125 pages
Risk evaluation and labellingISO/TR 13121:2011 Nanomaterial risk evaluation
ISO/TS 13830:2013 Guidance on voluntary labelling for consumer products containing manufactured nano-objects		TR 13121: May 2011, 58 pages; stage 90.92 (to be revised), with a new work item for a revision, ISO/AWI TS 13121, registered. TS 13830: December 2013, 6 pages; confirmed. It gives guidance on the content of voluntary labels; it does not require labelling
How to read this table

The table organises titles, editions and status. It does not describe how to handle nanomaterials or judge their safety, and it gives no basis for generalising that nano-sized materials are "safe" or "hazardous". How a standard is used depends on its edition and on the law that applies, so check the current edition and the competent law before relying on one. The stage "to be revised (90.92)" is ISO's label for a document that needed revision after its periodic review; it does not mean the current edition has stopped being usable. ISO also explains that its International Standards and the other deliverables are all voluntary, and that documents without the verb "shall" are not intended for conformity assessment Sourced.

4. How far its influence reaches (powers and geography)

DimensionWhat ISO hasWhat ISO does not have
PowerThe ability, through agreement among national standards bodies, to write and revise standards, TS and TR. Use is voluntaryLegal force. ISO states that its standards do not replace national law, which takes precedence. It has no power to approve or prohibit a nanomaterial, or to rule it safe or hazardous (this article's reading)
Geography177 national standards bodies as members, 37 of them participating in TC 229. An international reference point. Where a law, certification scheme or contract cites a standard, it reaches businesses within that scope as a de facto benchmarkThe ability to change any particular country's or region's law directly. The effect is set by how each jurisdiction adopts the standard
ScopeTerminology, measurement, material specifications and health, safety and environment guidance. It supplies a common vocabulary and measurement methods that legal definitions can refer toThe legal definition of a nanomaterial (in the EU, a Commission Recommendation sets it out, and its recitals say that the definition neither affects nor reflects the scope of any EU legislation), and obligations to authorise, register or label
ScaleTC 229: 118 published and 38 under development; 37 participating and 18 observing membersISO-wide budget and headcount could not be confirmed on the official pages. ISO says that selling its standards finances their development
A materials engineer's view: the "100 nm" in a standard is not the "100 nm" in a law

TC 229's scope describes the nanoscale as "typically, but not exclusively, below 100 nanometres", because its purpose is technical standardisation and it allows flexibility. The EU Recommendation, by contrast, is written for use in legislation and draws a line: 1 to 100 nm, and 50% by number Sourced. For a materials supplier, measuring a particle-size distribution according to an ISO standard is one task, and finding out which regional definition the result falls under is another. Keeping the two apart (how to measure, set by ISO/TC 229 and related committees; where the line falls, set by each jurisdiction's law) helps avoid misreading the paperwork.

5. Organisations around it

ISO/TC 229's committee page lists the "liaison" organisations that can see its documents and contribute comments, as well as the committees it works with. Among the Category A liaison organisations are the European Commission, the OECD, IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry), VAMAS (Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards), the consumer voice ANEC, the environmental coalition ECOS, the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI), the Nanotechnology Industries Association (NIA) and the Innovative Advanced Materials Initiative (IAM-I) Sourced. Of the institutions profiled in this series, the European Commission and the OECD are therefore in a liaison relationship with TC 229. The page records only that relationship; it does not show which standards any of them contributed to.

Organisations around ISO/TC 229 (relationships listed on ISO's pages) Document-sharing and comment rights. Not funding or procurement relationships National standards bodies 37 participating / 18 observing Category A liaisons European Commission (EC) OECD IUPAC / VAMAS ANEC / ECOS / ETUI NIA / IAM-I and others Linked committees IEC/TC 113: joint metrology WG ISO/TC 24/SC 4: particles ISO/TC 201: surface analysis ISO/TC 217: cosmetics IEC/ISO JTC 3: quantum, etc. ISO/TC 229 Nanotechnologies Est. 2005 / secretariat BSI (UK) Main working groups JWG 1 Terminology, naming JWG 2 Measurement WG 3 HSE WG 4 Material specs WG 5 Products, applications Outputs are voluntary; they gain force only when law or certification cites them JWG 2 is joint with IEC/TC 113. Others: TG 2, TG 4, AHG 1, AHG 2, CAG. HSE = health, safety, environment
Fig. 2 ISO/TC 229 and the organisations around it. This article selected the main items from the liaison and working-group sections of ISO's committee page (checked 9 October 2026) Our calculation. ISO's full lists of liaison organisations and linked committees are longer than those shown here.

How ISO terminology is treated outside the standards themselves

The European Commission's Recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial (Commission Recommendation of 10 June 2022, 2022/C 229/01) was published in the Official Journal C 229 on 14 June 2022. Its recitals say that the definition and its core terms should, where applicable, be based on existing standardised terms (ISO, CEN) (recital 8), and that "particle" is defined in line with a different ISO standard, ISO 26824:2013 (recital 15) Sourced. They also say that the definition neither affects nor reflects the scope of application of any instrument of Union legislation (recital 23). The Recommendation itself recommends that the Commission, the Member States and economic operators use the definition (point 3) Sourced. This is one example of a three-layer relationship: ISO supplies terminology, the Commission proposes a regional line, and the individual laws decide what actually applies. For the content of the definition, see our explainer on the definition and regulation of nanomaterials and the European Commission profile in this series.

No companies are named in this article because ISO's committee page does not list company participation (industry bodies such as NIA appear among the liaisons).

6. Outlook

The items below are stages shown on ISO's standard pages. A later stage does not mean that the publication date is fixed.

What can be readPrimary source behind itType
A third edition of the safety data sheet (SDS) guidance, following the 2024 second edition, is at the final-draft stageISO/DTS 13329 (edition 3) is at stage 50.00 (final text received). The new project was approved on 26 November 2025. The current ISO/TS 13329:2024 is at stage 90.92 (to be revised)Not yet confirmed
The measurement-technique matrix (ISO/TR 18196:2016) is on its way to becoming a technical specification, ISO/TS 18196ISO/TS 18196 is at stage 60.00 (under publication). ISO's life-cycle display shows ISO/TR 18196:2016 as the earlier documentNot yet confirmed
Structural characterization of CVD-grown graphene (ISO/TS 21356-2) is being publishedStage 60.00. Final text received on 27 February 2026; proof sent on 2 June 2026Not yet confirmed
Revisions have started for older standards such as the risk evaluation report (ISO/TR 13121:2011) and the TEM particle-size standard (ISO 21363:2020)New work items ISO/AWI TS 13121 and ISO/AWI 21363 are registered at stage 20.00Not yet confirmed
Revisions of the ISO 80004 terminology could become reference material if the EU definition is reviewed in futureRecital 8 of the Recommendation bases the definition's terms on standardised ISO and CEN terms, and recital 22 says a review should be considered whenever new scientific evidence or regulatory experience shows the definition is no longer adequateInference
TC 229's work is widening from terminology and basic measurement to specifications for individual materials and to nano-bio evaluationThe working groups include nano-bio (TG 4, AHG 2) and advanced materials (AHG 1), and the projects under development include graphene, liposome and nanosensor itemsInference

7. Glossary

ISO/TC 229
ISO's technical committee on nanotechnologies. Created in 2005; secretariat held by the UK (BSI).
ISO 80004 series
The family of standards that define nanotechnology terminology. Its core part became an International Standard in 2023 (ISO 80004-1:2023).
TS / TR
Technical Specification / Technical Report. Types of deliverable that ISO publishes alongside International Standards. By ISO's explanation, they are voluntary like International Standards.
Liaison organisation
An outside organisation that can see a committee's documents and contribute comments. ISO distinguishes Categories A, B and C.
Control banding
A workplace risk-management method that sorts substances with little toxicity or exposure information into bands, each tied to a level of control measures.
NOAA
Nano-objects and their aggregates and agglomerates, including those larger than 100 nm. A term used in ISO's occupational health standards.

8. References

  1. ISO About ISO (in operation since 1946; 177 members; 26,521 deliverables; 844 committees; sales of standards finance their development). https://www.iso.org/about
  2. ISO ISO history timeline (65 delegates from 25 countries in London in 1946; officially founded in 1947). https://www.iso.org/about/timelines/iso_history_timeline.json
  3. ISO Structure and governance (independent non-governmental organisation; members from 177 countries; Central Secretariat in Geneva). https://www.iso.org/structure.html
  4. ISO Foreword - Supplementary information (ISO standards and other deliverables are voluntary and do not replace national law; conformity assessment). https://www.iso.org/foreword-supplementary-information.html
  5. ISO ISO/TC 229 Nanotechnologies (scope, created 2005, BSI secretariat, member counts, working groups, liaisons). https://www.iso.org/committee/381983.html
  6. ISO ISO/TC 229 list of standards (titles, stages and projects under development; checked 9 October 2026). https://www.iso.org/committee/381983/x/catalogue/p/1/u/0/w/0/d/0
  7. ISO ISO 80004-1:2023 Nanotechnologies – Vocabulary — Part 1: Core vocabulary (edition 1, July 2023, 12 pages; the four documents it replaced). https://www.iso.org/standard/79525.html
  8. ISO ISO/TS 80004-3:2020 Carbon nano-objects (edition 2, November 2020, 11 pages, stage 90.93). https://www.iso.org/standard/75335.html
  9. ISO ISO/TS 80004-6:2021 Nano-object characterization (edition 2, March 2021, 24 pages, stage 90.93). https://www.iso.org/standard/74665.html
  10. ISO ISO/TS 80004-8:2020 Nanomanufacturing processes (edition 2, November 2020, 29 pages, stage 90.93). https://www.iso.org/standard/74666.html
  11. ISO ISO/TS 80004-13:2024 Graphene and other two-dimensional (2D) materials (edition 2, September 2024, 23 pages, stage 60.60). https://www.iso.org/standard/82855.html
  12. IEC / ISO IEC/TS 80004-9:2017 Nano-enabled electrotechnical products and systems (edition 1, January 2017, 6 pages, stage 90.93). https://www.iso.org/standard/62945.html
  13. ISO ISO/TS 5341:2026 Nanotechnologies — Nomenclature — General (edition 1, April 2026, 15 pages). https://www.iso.org/standard/81128.html
  14. ISO ISO/TR 18401:2017 Plain language explanation of selected terms from the ISO/IEC 80004 series (June 2017, 13 pages). https://www.iso.org/standard/62384.html
  15. ISO ISO 17200:2020 Nanoparticles in powder form — Characteristics and measurements (September 2020, 8 pages, stage 90.93). https://www.iso.org/standard/73132.html
  16. ISO ISO 19749:2021 Measurements of particle size and shape distributions by scanning electron microscopy (July 2021, 71 pages, stage 90.20). https://www.iso.org/standard/66235.html
  17. ISO ISO 21363:2020 Measurements of particle size and shape distributions by transmission electron microscopy (June 2020, 83 pages, stage 90.92). https://www.iso.org/standard/70762.html
  18. ISO ISO 21362:2026 Analysis of nano-objects using asymmetrical flow and centrifugal field-flow fractionation (February 2026, 57 pages; replaced the 2018 TS). https://www.iso.org/standard/78427.html
  19. ISO ISO/TS 21357:2022 Evaluation of the mean size of nano-objects in liquid dispersions by static multiple light scattering (January 2022, 23 pages, stage 90.93). https://www.iso.org/standard/70759.html
  20. ISO ISO/TS 19590:2024 Characterization of nano-objects using single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (edition 2, August 2024, 29 pages). https://www.iso.org/standard/82209.html
  21. ISO ISO/TS 24672:2023 Guidance on the measurement of nanoparticle number concentration (November 2023, 50 pages). https://www.iso.org/standard/79369.html
  22. ISO ISO/TS 9651:2025 Classification framework for graphene-related 2D materials (July 2025, 22 pages). https://www.iso.org/standard/84232.html
  23. ISO ISO/TS 21356-1:2021 Structural characterization of graphene — Part 1: Graphene from powders and dispersions (March 2021, 48 pages, stage 90.92). https://www.iso.org/standard/70757.html
  24. ISO ISO/TS 21356-2 Structural characterization of graphene — Part 2: Graphene sheets on a substrate (stage 60.00; final text received 27 February 2026). https://www.iso.org/standard/83449.html
  25. ISO ISO/TS 23359:2025 Chemical characterization of graphene-related two-dimensional materials from powders and liquid dispersions (August 2025, 47 pages). https://www.iso.org/standard/83450.html
  26. ISO ISO/TS 12901-1:2024 Occupational risk management applied to engineered nanomaterials — Part 1: Principles and approaches (edition 2, August 2024, 46 pages). https://www.iso.org/standard/80582.html
  27. ISO ISO/TS 12901-2:2026 Occupational risk management applied to engineered nanomaterials — Part 2: Use of the control banding approach (edition 2, February 2026, 31 pages). https://www.iso.org/standard/82791.html
  28. ISO ISO/TS 13329:2024 Nanomaterials — Preparation of safety data sheets (SDS) (edition 2, September 2024, 22 pages, stage 90.92). https://www.iso.org/standard/83654.html
  29. ISO ISO/DTS 13329 Nanomaterials — Preparation of safety data sheets (SDS) (edition 3, stage 50.00; new project approved 26 November 2025). https://www.iso.org/standard/93470.html
  30. ISO ISO/TR 12885:2018 Nanotechnologies — Health and safety practices in occupational settings (edition 2, December 2018, 125 pages). https://www.iso.org/standard/67446.html
  31. ISO ISO/TR 13121:2011 Nanotechnologies — Nanomaterial risk evaluation (May 2011, 58 pages, stage 90.92). https://www.iso.org/standard/52976.html
  32. ISO ISO/TS 13830:2013 Nanotechnologies — Guidance on voluntary labelling for consumer products containing manufactured nano-objects (December 2013, 6 pages, stage 90.93). https://www.iso.org/standard/54315.html
  33. ISO ISO/TS 18196 Nanotechnologies — Measurement technique matrix for the characterization of nano-objects (successor to ISO/TR 18196:2016; stage 60.00). https://www.iso.org/standard/84618.html
  34. European Commission Commission Recommendation of 10 June 2022 on the definition of nanomaterial (2022/C 229/01) (Official Journal C 229, 14 June 2022; recitals 3, 8, 15, 22 and 23; points 1 to 4). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32022H0614(01)

9. Claim-to-source audit

Claim in the textTypeReference
ISO-wide figures (177 members, 26,521 deliverables, 844 committees, active since 1946, standards sales finance development) and the Central Secretariat's locationSourcedReference 1 https://www.iso.org/about
Reference 3 https://www.iso.org/structure.html
The 1946 meeting (65 delegates, 25 countries) and the official founding in 1947SourcedReference 2 https://www.iso.org/about/timelines/iso_history_timeline.json
ISO standards, TS and TR are voluntary and do not replace national law; documents without "shall" are not intended for conformity assessmentSourcedReference 4 https://www.iso.org/foreword-supplementary-information.html
TC 229's scope, 2005 creation, BSI secretariat, 118 published and 38 under development, 37 participating and 18 observing members, working groups, liaison organisations and linked committeesSourcedReference 5 https://www.iso.org/committee/381983.html
Titles and stages in TC 229's list of standards (the 80004 series, measurement and HSE standards, projects under development)SourcedReference 6 https://www.iso.org/committee/381983/x/catalogue/p/1/u/0/w/0/d/0
Edition, publication month and page count of ISO 80004-1:2023, and the four documents it replacedSourcedReference 7 https://www.iso.org/standard/79525.html
Edition, month, pages and stage of ISO/TS 80004-3, -6, -8, -13 and IEC/TS 80004-9SourcedReference 8 https://www.iso.org/standard/75335.html
Reference 9 https://www.iso.org/standard/74665.html
Reference 10 https://www.iso.org/standard/74666.html
Reference 11 https://www.iso.org/standard/82855.html
Reference 12 https://www.iso.org/standard/62945.html
Month, pages and abstracts of ISO/TS 5341:2026 and ISO/TR 18401:2017SourcedReference 13 https://www.iso.org/standard/81128.html
Reference 14 https://www.iso.org/standard/62384.html
Month, pages, stage and abstracts of ISO 17200, 19749, 21363, 21362 and ISO/TS 21357, 19590, 24672SourcedReference 15 https://www.iso.org/standard/73132.html
Reference 16 https://www.iso.org/standard/66235.html
Reference 17 https://www.iso.org/standard/70762.html
Reference 18 https://www.iso.org/standard/78427.html
Reference 19 https://www.iso.org/standard/70759.html
Reference 20 https://www.iso.org/standard/82209.html
Reference 21 https://www.iso.org/standard/79369.html
Month, pages and abstracts of the graphene standards (9651, 21356-1, 23359)SourcedReference 22 https://www.iso.org/standard/84232.html
Reference 23 https://www.iso.org/standard/70757.html
Reference 25 https://www.iso.org/standard/83450.html
Edition, month, pages and abstracts of ISO/TS 12901-1:2024, 12901-2:2026, 13329:2024 and ISO/TR 12885:2018SourcedReference 26 https://www.iso.org/standard/80582.html
Reference 27 https://www.iso.org/standard/82791.html
Reference 28 https://www.iso.org/standard/83654.html
Reference 30 https://www.iso.org/standard/67446.html
Month, pages, stage and abstracts of ISO/TR 13121:2011 and ISO/TS 13830:2013SourcedReference 31 https://www.iso.org/standard/52976.html
Reference 32 https://www.iso.org/standard/54315.html
The content of EU Recommendation 2022/C 229/01: the definition, recitals 3, 8, 15, 22 and 23, point 3 (Official Journal C 229, 14 June 2022)SourcedReference 34 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32022H0614(01)
The four types of institution and the selection shown in Fig. 2Our calculationOur own classification (items selected from the liaison and working-group sections in references 5 and 6)
ISO-wide headcount and budgetNot yet confirmedNot stated in references 1 and 3. This article does not estimate it
Publication timing of ISO/DTS 13329 (edition 3), ISO/TS 18196 and ISO/TS 21356-2Not yet confirmedReference 29 https://www.iso.org/standard/93470.html
Reference 33 https://www.iso.org/standard/84618.html
Reference 24 https://www.iso.org/standard/83449.html
The two outlook points marked as inference in section 6InferenceThis article's reading of recitals 8 and 22 in reference 34 and of the working groups and projects in references 5 and 6

Last updated 9 October 2026 / Troy Technical
Figures and standard statuses come from ISO's website as shown on 9 October 2026, and from the EU Official Journal. Because the standards are sold, their texts were not consulted; only titles, editions, status and published abstracts are used. Items marked "Inference" are this article's reading of the primary sources.

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