About the INNI


About the INNI

Joining the INNI

New for 2005: Active Member Program

Active Membership - Benefits, Obligationa, and Eligibility

Register to Become an Active Member

About the INNI

What began in the 1940s as an effort to standardize nuts and bolts has grown into a global effort to create standards that are having ever increasing impacts on social and environmental policy. But any kind of organization - especially one given such an important task - needs oversight. Like the World Trade Organization (WTO), the rules established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) will directly effect national and local environmental issues and issues of social justice and economic sustainability for years to come.

ISO's recent moves to expand its standards-making activities into water management, greenhouse gas accounting, corporate social responsibility, environmental reporting and dozens of other topics have compelled the Pacific Institute to expand its efforts as well. The overarching goal of the International NGO Network on ISO (INNI) is to ensure that any ISO-created environmental standards serve the public interest and protect our environment. We aim to do this by providing timely information on the activities of ISO to network organizations so that they can activate their constituents, provide guidance to decision-makers, and shape public opinion.

In support of the INNI, the Pacific Institute carries out it work both "within" and "outside" ISO. Through participation in the work of TC 207 and TC 224, both domestically and internationally as a United States delegate, the Institute works to monitor and influence the development of international standards. Our effort to inject a public interest perspective into the deliberations of ISO is shaped by input we receive from the network members, however, when advocating "NGO positions," the Pacific Institute will only speak on behalf of itself, not the INNI or its members

Based on knowledge and insight gained over our six years of work on international standards, the Pacific Institute provides ISO-related information and analysis to members of the broader environmental community that have a stake in ISO's work, but lack the capacity and resources to follow the standards development process first hand. As part of its outreach and education activities, the INNI provides information via the Internet, in print, and through consultation and strategy sessions with top-level NGOs. The hope is that with timely and credible information, network members can better educate the public, inform policy-makers, and shape the implementation of ISO standards.

Joining the INNI

The INNI is dedicated to bringing you the latest news on international standards. As international standards move from nuts and bolts to environmental and social issues, understanding their impact and participating in their development becomes ever more critical. Our website and online newsletter aim to help nongovernmental organizations, the general public, and other interests understand the Byzantine process of international standards development - without having to rack up lots of airline miles. There are no fees or obligations and we never sell or trade information on members. Read our current issue of the INNI Online Update and then sign up today.

The INNI's primary audience has always been and will continue to be non-governmental organizations and civil society groups. Historically, other stakeholders such as businesses and government officials have been encouraged to utilize the INNI website and to join the Pacific Institute-managed INNI Online Update listserve. There have not been nor will there be fees or obligations for organizations/individuals wishing to join or continue as a member of the INNI in this "observer" capacity.

New for 2005: Active Member Program

To better meet the needs of Network members, we have established a new "Active Member" program. Active Members gain access to the password-protected INNI Online Discussion Forum, which provides a medium for organizations to share information, and exchange ideas and strategies on international social and environmental standards.

Active membership is limited to non-governmental organizations working on issues covered within the INNI, such as environmental management, climate change, water management, and corporate social responsibility, among others. Businesses, government agencies, and academic institutions, although not eligible to become Active Members, are welcome to join our newsletter and use our INNI website as Observer Members.

All members who joined the INNI prior to 2005 are considered Observer Members and will continue to get our online newsletter and have access to the INNI website. To become an Active Member, those organizations will have to register following the procedures described below.

Active Membership - Benefits, Obligations, and Eligibility

Benefits
The primary benefit of Active Membership is access to INNI Online Discussion Forum. The Forum provides Active Members a medium to share information, and exchange ideas and strategies on international social and environmental standards. The members-only, password-protected Forum also provides a venue to coordinate and collaborate on standards-related issues with other NGO INNI members worldwide. In addition, Active Members will have access to strategic NGO documents and position papers related to international standards.

Obligations
The only obligation associated with becoming an Active Member of the INNI is your agreement to have your organization's name as well as at least one representative's contact information made available on the "Active Members Page" of the INNI website.

For clarity, Active Membership in the INNI does not entail endorsement of any particular position(s) pertaining to international standardization, either of the INNI as an entity, or of the Pacific Institute, as its Administrator.

Eligibility
Active Membership in the INNI is limited to non-governmental organizations. Individuals representing business, government, and academia are not eligible for Active Member status in the INNI, but can continue to receive our newsletter and have access to the INNI website.

For purposes of Active Membership, a non-governmental organization is defined as an association of individuals that operates independently of government or business structures and has non-commercial objectives related to environmental, social justice, consumer interest or sustainable development.

Register to Become an Active Member

Organizations who wish to become Active Members must fill out the information below and submit it to the INNI Administrator. We will review your application, and if all eligibility requirements are met, we will send you a password to access the INNI Online Discussion Forum. Upon your application's approval, your organization's name and at least one representative's contact information will be uploaded to the "Active Members Page" of the INNI website. Please fill your information in the form below and click the "submit" button.