International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
An intergovernmental organisation that coordinates international hydrography and standards for nautical charts and marine geospatial information.
The IHO develops specifications, guidance and capacity-building programmes to improve the consistency and availability of hydrographic data and services. National hydrographic offices remain responsible for surveying and publishing official products in their jurisdictions.
Its standards include the S-57 framework used for many electronic navigational charts and the newer S-100 family. The IHO does not itself survey every sea area or issue all official charts.
