While it is not a standards organisation, per se, the United Nations is also involved. These four organisations generally focus on different issues, but there are occasions where their activities overlap. To avoid duplication of effort, prevent conflicts between standards and avoid gaps in standards coverage, the four organisations have arranged a series of co-operative agreements among themselves. Membership in the three international standards organisations is open to the national bodies of all nations.
Most countries are members of one or more organisations.
While adherence to standards developed under the auspices of the international community is for the most part voluntary, many organisations refer to them and promote their use. The regional standards community consists of groups of countries that have come together to produce standards intended to further their common interests or goals. Membership is typically held at the national level and is often restricted to nations falling geographically within a specific community of interest. For example, the North American Free Trade Area, the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Pacific Area Standards Congress are all regional standards entities. As the title implies, organisations within this community are drawn together by common interests.