International standardization has always been important to the smooth flow of world trade but today, with the breakup of empire and the rapid birth of new nations, the more affluent countries must re-examine their standardization policies. The first step toward international standards came in 1906 with the creation of the IEC, and in 1946 the ISO was founded. However, U.S. business has been notoriously apathetic in its attitude, with the result that many sales have been lost because of the incompatibility of American and foreign standards. With the predicted merger of IEC and ISO into what is hoped will be an imaginative, dynamic organization, the U.S. should find an incentive for more vigorous participation.