ISOwhich

ISOwhich is a hypothetical framework intended to streamline how organizations locate and reference International Organization for Standardization standards. In this concept, ISOwhich acts as a meta-index and queryable catalog that maps user requirements to applicable ISO standards, their scope, and version history. It is not an official ISO product, but a neutral model for discussing standard-selection processes.

Purpose and scope: The goal is to improve discovery, reduce duplication, and support compliance workflows. By providing domain taxonomies (quality management, information security, environmental management, occupational health and safety, and product conformity), and by linking each standard to its official ISO number, applicable sectors, and jurisdictional notes, ISOwhich would enable side-by-side comparisons and crosswalks to equivalent standards from national bodies or industry groups.

Architecture and features: A structured taxonomy, metadata model, and a natural-language query interface. Each standard entry includes: title, ISO number, scope, applicability, version history, and revision notes. A recommendation engine uses inputs such as industry, geography, regulatory drivers, and risk profile to suggest relevant standards. Crosswalks and mapping to other standards bodies enable interoperability.

Governance and development: As a hypothetical concept, governance could involve a multi-stakeholder council with representation from ISO member bodies, industry associations, and consumer groups, plus an open contribution policy and clear licensing terms. Versioning, provenance, and data licensing would be essential.

Impact and criticism: Proponents argue it would reduce search cost and improve alignment with regulatory requirements. Critics might point to the risk of over-reliance on a single index, the challenge of keeping mappings current, and licensing constraints around ISO documentation.