ISO 18461 was published in March 2016. Work on this standard had started in 2012. Its focus is on museum statistics, and much of its content is based on the work EGMUS has carried out over recent years. The standard was developed in close cooperation with EGMUS.

The aim of ISO 18461 is similar to that of existing standards such as ISO 2789 – International Library Statistics (first published in 1974) and ISO/TR 20983 – Performance Indicators for Electronic Library Performance (published in 2003). Like these, ISO 18461 provides a framework for museum statistics on an international scale, enabling the best possible comparability of statistical data on museums across different countries.

To achieve this, ISO 18461:2016(en) establishes a structure and definitions for the components relevant to museum statistics – including types of museums, features and services offered to visitors, and the methodologies for counting and reporting. This international standard also serves as a basis for designing and harmonising national museum statistics questionnaires.

Following the publication of ISO 18461, the working group coordinated by Prof. Monika Hagedorn-Saupe (Germany) began work on a new task: ISO/CD 21246 – Key Indicators for Museums. This follow-up initiative aims to develop reliable and meaningful indicators for specific features and operations of museums.