French standardization

Voluntary standards are 90% European or international in origin. The prefix "ISO" is used for standards drawn up by the International Organization for Standardization, and "EN" for those of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN).

In this way, an international standard can be adopted in Europe and in a national collection. The corresponding prefixes are used in ascending order of geographical scope: NF ISO, NF EN ISO.

When a standard bears only the prefix NF, this means that it is only applicable and applied in France.

Details of the three channels are given below.