Standardization work began in Iran with the adoption of the Weights and Measures Law in 1925. The establishment, in 1953, of an office within the Ministry of Commerce constituted the initial structure of the institute. In 1960, with the enactment of the establishment law of Institute of Standards of Iran (ISI), standardization in Iran began within a specific framework to address its objectives and specific responsibilities.
According to the law amending the laws and regulations of Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI), approved by the Islamic Consultative Assembly in February 1993 and amended in June 1997, the present Supreme Council of Standards is the highest authority to decide ISIRI policies. The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran (I.R.I) acts as the President of the Supreme Council of Standards; and the membership is constituted of: the Ministers of Commerce, Health, Treatment and Medical Education, Communication and Information Technology, Reconstruction of Agriculture, Defense & Logistics of Armed Forces, Industries & Mines, Culture and Higher Education, Labour and Social Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, Oil, Energy, Science, Research & Technology; and the Chairs of Management & Programming Organization, the Department of Environment, as well as the Prosecutor General, the Chairman of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Industries & Mines, the ISIRI President, as Secretary of the Supreme Council of Standards, and two experts nominated by the ISIRI President and appointed by decree of the I.R.I. President.
The ISIRI President is the highest administrative, financial and technical authority and is responsible for the overall management of the administrative, executive, research and educational affairs of ISIRI. ISIRI joined ISO in 1960 and is active in most ISO technical committees and subcommittees.
