WESF plays a role in promoting standardization and eliminating global trade barriers.
An international standard is a document that has been developed through the consensus of experts from many countries and is approved and published by a globally recognized body. It comprises rules, guidelines, processes, or characteristics that allow users to achieve the same outcome time and time again.
The three major global standardization bodies comprising the World Standards Cooperation are the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
In 2000 the World Trade Organization (WTO) adopted a decision setting out principles that standards bodies should follow when developing international standards. Many U.S.-domiciled standards developers develop standards that meet these principles, are used internationally, and are considered international standards.