ISO 37120 Certification Body

ISO 37120:2018 by IFGICT as a Certification Body

In the rapidly urbanizing landscape of 2026, the challenge for city leaders is no longer just about growth—it is about sustainable, resilient, and intelligent development. As municipalities strive to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), data-driven governance has become the mandatory standard. Achieving ISO 37120:2018 by IFGICT as a certification body offers cities a prestigious, globally recognized framework to measure performance, improve services, and enhance the quality of life for all citizens.

The serves as a vital bridge between international standards and local urban implementation. By choosing , cities align themselves with an independent authority that is a recognized United Nations (UN) Partner, ensuring their certification carries weight in the global arena.

What is ISO 37120:2018? The Global Language for Cities

ISO 37120:2018 (Sustainable cities and communitie Indicators for city services and quality of life) is the first international standard for city data. It establishes a set of standardized indicators that provide a uniform approach to what is measured and how it is measured.

When a municipality pursues ISO 37120:2018 by IFGICT as a certification body, it moves away from anecdotal evidence and toward empirical data. This standard covers 19 different themes, including:

    • Economy and Education

    • Energy, Water, and Sanitation

    • Health and Public Safety

    • Transportation and Urban Planning

    • Environment and Climate Change

By using these indicators, the helps cities benchmark their performance against global peers, identifying strengths and areas for critical improvement.

Exploring the Full Suite: ISO 37122, ISO 37123, and ISO 37151

While ISO 37120:2018 provides the foundational indicators for city services, the “Smart City” ecosystem is supported by several other critical standards. The offers a holistic approach by integrating these relevant versions into the certification journey.

ISO 37122: Indicators for Smart Cities

If ISO 37120 is about sustainability, ISO 37122 is about intelligence. This standard focuses on how ICT and innovation are used to make city services more efficient. As a leader in Green ICT, is uniquely positioned to audit these technical indicators, such as the percentage of city services accessible via online platforms or the use of smart meters.

ISO 37123: Indicators for Resilient Cities

In an era of climate volatility, ISO 37123 provides indicators to measure a city’s ability to prepare for, recover from, and adapt to shocks (like natural disasters or economic crashes). Certification through the ensures that a city's resilience strategy is backed by verifiable data.

ISO 37151: Smart Community Infrastructures

ISO 37151 focuses on the performance metrics of community infrastructure. It outlines the principles and requirements for a performance metrics framework, ensuring that the physical and digital bones of a city its energy grids, waste systems, and transport networks work in harmony.

Why Choose ISO 37120:2018 by IFGICT as a Certification Body?

Selecting the right partner for urban certification is a strategic decision that affects a city’s reputation and investment potential. offers distinct advantages that set it apart from traditional registrars.

1. UN Partnership and SDG Alignment

The is a recognized United Nations (UN) Partner. This means that your certification is directly mapped to the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. For cities seeking international grants or UN-backed development funds, an certificate is a powerful asset.

2. Independent and Agile Auditing

It is vital to understand that IFGICT is an independent ISO Certification body and not an IAF affiliate but a UN partner. This independence allows to provide a more streamlined, cost-effective, and technology-focused audit process. They avoid the bureaucratic delays often found in traditional accreditation routes, allowing cities to achieve recognition faster.

3. Expertise in Green ICT

Modern cities run on data. Because is the International Federation of Global & Green ICT, their auditors possess the technical depth to evaluate complex digital infrastructures that generic certification bodies might overlook.

ISO 37120:2018 by IFGICT as a certification body

The Certification Process: Step-by-Step with IFGICT

Achieving ISO 37120:2018 by IFGICT as a certification body is a collaborative and rigorous process designed to drive real-world results.

    1. Preparation & Training: provides resources to help city officials understand the 104 indicators of the standard.

    2. Data Collection: The city gathers data across the 19 themes. offers templates to ensure data quality and consistency.

    3. Third-Party Audit: Expert auditors from the verify the accuracy of the data and the methodologies used to collect it.

    4. Certification Issuance: Upon successful verification, the city is awarded the ISO 37120:2018 certificate, signaling its status as a global leader in sustainability.

    5. Ongoing Monitoring: Through annual reviews, helps the city track its progress year-over-year.

Business and Social Benefits of Certification

The impact of achieving ISO 37120:2018 by IFGICT as a certification body extends far beyond city hall:

Attracting Investment

Investors and developers look for "safe bets." A certified city demonstrates stable governance and reliable infrastructure.

Enhanced Citizen Trust

Transparency in data leads to higher levels of citizen engagement and satisfaction.

Resource Optimization

By measuring exactly where energy and water are wasted, cities can reduce costs and lower their carbon footprint.

Global Benchmarking

Join an elite network of world cities that speak the same data language, facilitating knowledge sharing and global partnerships.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the primary focus of ISO 37120:2018?

ISO 37120:2018 focuses on standardized indicators for city services and quality of life. It helps cities measure their performance in a way that is comparable across international borders.

No. IFGICT is an independent ISO Certification body and not an IAF affiliate but a UN partner. This unique status provides high-level global prestige through the United Nations while maintaining an independent, agile framework for certification.

Yes! The standard is designed to be applicable to any city, municipality, or local government, regardless of size or geographic location.

While ISO 37120 provides the core indicators for sustainability, ISO 37122 adds indicators for “Smart” (technological) efficiency, and ISO 37123 adds indicators for “Resilience” (disaster preparedness). The can help you certify against all three.

Typically, the process takes 4 to 6 months, depending on the city’s data readiness. provides a streamlined pathway to help accelerate this timeline.

Conclusion: Transform Your City with IFGICT

In 2026, the cities that thrive will be those that embrace data, sustainability, and transparency. By pursuing ISO 37120:2018 by IFGICT as a certification body, your municipality is not just checking a box; it is adopting a roadmap for a better future.

The provides the expertise, the UN-aligned prestige, and the technical support needed to turn urban data into urban excellence.

Contact Information

Ready to lead the future of sustainable living? Contact the today to begin your journey toward global recognition.

Email: customerservice@ifgict.org 

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