Overview
ISO 37011 provides guidance on organizational purpose and on the governance of purpose-driven organizations. These are organizations that seek to align their decision-making and actions with the long-term wellbeing of all people and the planet.
The guidance is addressed to governing bodies. It covers how they consciously direct, oversee and account for their organizations so that the organizations are purpose-driven. It is also relevant to stakeholders who provide services to organizations, invest in them, support them or hold them to account for their purpose-driven commitments.
ISO 37011 applies to organizations of all types and sizes. These include private and public sector organizations, regulators, voluntary organizations, social enterprises, government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and professional and industry bodies. It applies regardless of how far an organization has progressed in becoming purpose-driven.
ISO 37011 builds on ISO 37000 Governance of organizations – Guidance. It applies the three governance functions of direction, oversight and accountability, and organizes its guidance into eight governance practices. Its provisions are recommendations expressed with "should". The document contains no requirements and sets out no claims or verification framework.
The draft is the result of more than 60 meetings over two years, three working drafts and two committee drafts. Experts met in person in London, Shenzhen, Lima and Port of Spain.
Routes for participation in the enquiry
ISO works through its 170+ national members. Each country has one vote, cast by its national standards body on the basis of a national consensus position. Comments on ISO/DIS 37011 reach ISO through national standards bodies and through ISO/TC 309 liaison organizations.
Route through national standards bodies
- Identify the national standards body (NSB).
- Contact the NSB and ask how to obtain ISO/DIS 37011 and submit comments.
- Submit comments before the national deadline, which can be up to one month earlier than 17 December 2026.
Mechanisms differ between countries. Many NSB list drafts open for comment on their own websites. In some cases, commenting is limited to members of the national mirror committee for ISO/TC 309. Stakeholders who are not members can ask the NSB whether a broader route for comment exists.
Route through ISO/TC 309 liaison organizations
ISO/TC 309 liaison organizations can submit comments after their own internal consensus-building process. Members of a liaison organization can contribute their own comments through that organization. Liaison organizations may only comment on the draft, they do not vote.
Additional resources for the ISO 37011 enquiry
- Guidance for the enquiry and consultation stage – ISO 37011 (PDF, 1.6 MB). Explains the DIS stage, the routes for comment and the key elements of the draft, with references to the relevant clauses.
- ISO 37011 Purpose-driven organizations – Summary (PDF, 190 KB). Summarizes the core concepts, the governance system and the eight practices.
- ISO 37011 summary slide deck (PDF, 390 KB). Presentation by the project leader for briefings and stakeholder events.
- The ISO 37011 update group on LinkedIn shares information on stakeholder events and on further involvement in the project.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Draft International Standard (DIS)? A DIS reflects the outcome of extensive negotiation and agreement among international experts. It is released to all ISO members for review. The DIS stage, also called the enquiry stage, is the main opportunity for stakeholders to provide input before the International Standard is finalized.
Who can comment on ISO/DIS 37011? Participation is organized through national standards bodies (NSB) and ISO/TC 309 liaison organizations. Individuals with relevant expertise or interest, businesses, policymakers, regulators, non-governmental organizations, civil society, researchers and academics can contribute through these routes.
Where can the draft be obtained? The draft is available through the NSB or through an ISO/TC 309 liaison organization.
What comments can I make? Comments are most useful when each comment clearly identifies a specific location (clause/sub-clause, paragraph, table/figure), states the problem and proposes a solution. Technical comments should include proposed alternative text, so that the intended change is clear to the committee.
What is the deadline for comments? NSB submit their votes and comments to ISO by 17 December 2026. Each NSB sets its own internal deadline, which can be up to one month earlier.
Can individuals vote on the DIS? No. Each country has one vote, cast by its NSB on the basis of its national consensus position. Comments from individuals and organizations inform that position.
How is the DIS approved? The DIS is approved if two-thirds of the P-members of the committee that vote are in favour and not more than one-quarter of the total number of votes cast are negative. Details are given on the ISO page Stages and resources for standards development.
What happens after the enquiry closes? The working group within ISO/TC 309 addresses the comments through a consensus-based comment resolution process. The document then progresses to the next stage, for example to a Final Draft International Standard (FDIS).
Is ISO 37011 a certifiable standard? No. ISO 37011 is a guidance document. Its provisions are recommendations, and it sets out no claims, validation or verification framework.
How can an organization hold a stakeholder event on ISO 37011? The stakeholder event guide in the resources above sets out the steps, from contacting the NSB to publishing a summary after the event. Events can be promoted through the ISO 37011 update group on LinkedIn.