The Application of the New International Standards Organization Cleanroom Standards

In 1992, at the instigation of the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST), the AmericanNational Standards Institute (ANSI) petitioned the International Standards Organization (ISO) to create a new technical committee, ‘‘Clean Rooms and Associated Controlled Environments.’’ This new technical committee, ISO/TC 209, was formally established in May, 1993. The importance of this endeavor is underscored by the fact that currently there are over 50,000 cleanrooms worldwide, with an annual economic impact in excess of $1 trillion.