The IIOC was set up in 1993 by the major international management system certification organisations. It represents their common views on many management systems issues, and has provided technical input to decision making in this field for many years.

IIOC provides important support to many organisations involved in the business of management system certification. It supports both the regulatory framework and the development of industry led sector schemes, to ensure implementing management systems brings the improvements in performance the market expects as a result of third party certification.