International Society of Automation (ISA)
ISA produces critical standards in the areas of automation and industrial cybersecurity for a variety of mission-critical industries. For engineers, technicians, and management engaged in industrial automation, ISA is the trusted provider of standards-based foundational technical resources.
Nimonik provides seamless access to official ISA standards in PDF and print formats through our Standards Store, as well as through a subscription service available to your entire team. We take pride in our strong relationships with standards development organizations (SDOs) and the customers we serve.
Popular ISA Standards
| Standard Code | Title | Format Available |
|---|---|---|
| ISA 5.1 | Instrumentation and Control – Symbols and Identification | PDF, Print |
| ISA 88 | Batch Control | PDF, Print |
| ISA 18.2 | Management of Alarm Systems for the Process Industries | PDF, Print |
| ISA 95 | Enterprise-Control System Integration | PDF, Print |
| ISA 62443 | Industrial Automation and Control Systems Security | PDF, Print |
What Are ISA Standards?
The International Society of Automation (ISA) was founded in 1945 as the Instrument Society of America, emerging from the rapid technological advancements of World War II. Engineers and technicians working with increasingly complex instrumentation recognized the need for a dedicated organization to standardize practices, share knowledge, and professionalize the field. What began as a small group focused mainly on industrial instruments quickly evolved into a broader community addressing measurement, control, and automation technologies across many sectors.
Over the next decades, ISA expanded its membership and scope, reflecting the growing role of automation in manufacturing, energy, and process industries. The organization began developing technical standards, publishing influential journals, and developing conferences that united experts from around the world. As industries adopted more advanced sensors, controllers, and early computer-based systems, ISA became a central hub for education and technical leadership.
By the end of the 1900’s, automation had become essential to nearly every industrial process, prompting ISA to broaden its identity beyond instrumentation alone. The organization formally changed its name to the International Society of Automation to reflect its global reach and its more comprehensive focus on automation systems, cybersecurity, safety, and operational excellence.
Today, ISA’s purpose is to advance technical competence and innovation in automation by providing education, standards, certification, and community for professionals worldwide. Through various activities including industry partnerships and research initiatives, ISA continues to shape best practices across manufacturing, energy, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and beyond. Its mission remains consistent with its origins: to enable safer, more efficient, and more reliable industrial operations through the effective application of automation technologies.
