ISO 29990:2010, Learning services for non-formal education and training – Basic requirements for service providers, will also enhance transparency and allow comparison on a worldwide basis of learning services, offering a single alternative backed by international consensus to the huge variety of national service and management standards which now exists in the field of non-formal learning.

The growing economic importance of learning in the global knowledge society has created new economic opportunities such as activity created by the provision of for-profit learning services. Quality assurance therefore becomes a crucial issue.

The objective of ISO 29990:2010 is to provide a generic model for quality professional practice and performance, and a common reference for learning service providers (LSPs) and their clients in the design, development and delivery of non-formal education, training and development. The standard encourages a focus on the learner and the results of the process, and emphasizes the full range of options available for delivering learning services.

Knowledge is becoming a key factor in successful corporate management all over the world and education is increasingly being regarded as a business-oriented service.