The Award

The Lawrence D. Eicher Leadership Award is a prestigious award that recognizes the significant contribution and superior performance of an ISO technical committee (TC) or subcommittee (SC) to the development of ISO International Standards. The award is designed to encourage creative and collaborative work by rewarding the implementation of innovative and efficient processes and solutions that ensure the provision of excellent services.

It is also an opportunity to publicize and share best practice among ISO committees. Inaugurated in 2003, this award is named in honour of ISOʼs late Secretary-General, Lawrence D. Eicher, whose 16-year tenure at ISO (1986-2002) saw the organization evolve from an institution with a predominantly technological focus to a market-oriented organization whose standards are increasingly recognized as bringing, in addition to solutions to technical problems, wider social and economic benefits.

Nomination

Eligibility

All ISO (and joint ISO/IEC) technical committees and subcommittees are eligible for consideration. 

Nominations

Your nomination will provide a high-performing committee with the recognition it deserves and an opportunity to further promote its achievements. Nominations can be submitted by anyone participating in the ISO standards development process including (but not limited to):

• TC/SC Chairs
• TC/SC Committee Managers
• Representatives of ISO member bodies
• ISO Technical Programme Managers

Download the 2024 nomination form.
Deadine: 30 April 2024.

Selection process

Selection committee

The selection committee reviews the nominations submitted and chooses the winner. It is composed of selected members of the ISO Technical Management Board  and changes every year.

Selection criteria

The selection criteria for this award include:

• Effective leadership
• Effective coordination of the entire committee structure
• Use of innovative approaches
• Proactive project management and effective meeting support
• Desire to promote the involvement of developing countries
• Rapid response to emergent issues

Award benefits

Award ceremony

The award, a certificate of appreciation, is presented to representatives of the chosen technical committee (for example the Chair and Committee Manager) every year by the ISO President at the ISO General Assembly. The chosen representatives (up to two) are funded by ISO to travel to the General Assembly.  Due to exceptional circumstances the 2021 award was awarded virtually.   

Other benefits

Success in the competition is a way of adding to the profile of the committee’s work both inside and outside the ISO community.

Inside the ISO community, the best practices of the winning committee are shared through ISO Connect, short videos  and the TMB Communiqué, with the objective of spreading innovative practices and good ideas to other committees. 

The winning technical committee also gains visibility by being highlighted in ISO’s external communication activities, including a promotional video created for the committee, which it can use to promote its activities and attract stakeholders.

And not forgetting the members of the winning committee, whose hard work earned them the award, the prize also includes some funding from ISO for the committee to organize its own celebration. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Ensuring that AI technologies are developed and used responsibly is critical to addressing global challenges and accelerating progress towards a more sustainable, equitable and inclusive world. The committee unites a diverse array of global stakeholders from 59 countries, ranging from those deeply engaged in development, to those overseeing regulations to those seeking to leverage AI technology.