ISO/TC 160 Conference
RASEI hosts the ISO/TC 160 Conference, helping to define how we build more efficient and more affordable buildings.Ìý
In June of 2026, RASEI hosted a meeting of the Working Group.
The International Organization of Standardization (ISO) is the world leading developer of voluntary international standards. While the idea of meetings focused on defining standards sounds a bit dry, these working groups are essential in building international agreement on how we do every from manufacturing to healthcare. These working groups bring together experts from across industry, academia, and government agencies to establish consensus-based standards that help to promote quality, safety, reliability, durability, interoperability, and innovation across industries.
RASEI Fellow Rob Tenent was a lead participant in this working group and a co-organizer. For a forward looking research based organization the innovation component of these discussions is of particular significance. The introduction of new ideas into these discussions is a key way in which new technologies can start to be incorporated into the mainstream of how we build, a mechanism for developing more energy efficient and more affordable buildings.Ìý
Founded in 1947, ISO has published more than 25,000 international standards covering fields ranging from manufacturing and healthcare to information technology, energy, and constructions. The standards developed by the ISO groups include participants from more than 170 countries.Ìý
In many sectors ISO standards are used as a trusted common language that enable organizations from different countries to work together effectively.Ìý
The Glass in Building Working group, or ISO/TC 160, which was established in 1974 is tasked with developing international standards governing the performance, testing, reliability, and application of glass products for use in buildings. The work of this committee impacts virtually all aspects of modern architectural glass, such as safety glass, laminated glass, insulating glass, and energy efficient glazing. This group provides the technical foundation that allows companies to be consistent and up to code across the globe. These standards help to ensure that glass products manufactured in one country can be confidently used in projects around the globe.
As new challenges emerge for how we build more resilient and affordable buildings, this committees work and focus will become increasingly important. When buildings need to be more energy efficient, be resilientÌý to extreme weather events, take advantage of advances in materials science, all of these factors are discussed and deliberated on by this team, before these innovations are built into the evolving standards.Ìý
You can find out more about the Glass in Building team here, and you can learn more about how the standards are developed to tackle global challenges here.