Using codes saves time and avoids mistakes instead of using country names (which will change depending on the language used). We can use a combination of letters and / or numbers that are understood around the world.
For example, all national postal organizations around the world exchange letters based on the country code. Internet domain name systems use code to define high-level domain names.
For example: fr is for France and au is for Australia. In addition, in a device that can read passports, codes are used to determine the user’s nationality and when we send money from one bank to another; Country codes are a way to identify the central bank.
How can I access ISO 3166?
ISO 3166 codes are available on the online browsing platform. OBP information is always up to date, and you can sign up for notifications and notify them if they change by clicking on the next action in the upper right corner.
We also have a product that includes a set of country codes, which you can preview for free at OBP (where you can find a decoding table). This code contains codes from sections 1, 2 and 3 of ISO 14001 in three different formats: XML. csv and XSL for easier integration into your systems,. You will be notified when changes are made so you can download the latest versions. This will ensure that your database is always up to date with the latest ISO information.
What is included in ISO 3166?
ISO 3166 consists of three parts: country codes, subsection codes, and previously used codes (codes that were once used to describe countries but are no longer used).
Country codes can be represented by a two-letter code (alpha-2) that is recommended as the general purpose code, a three-letter code (alpha-3) that is closely related to the country name, and a three-digit numeric code. If you need to avoid using Latin script, it can be useful.
The codes for the subcategories are displayed as alpha 2 for the country and are up to three letters in order, for example, RI is one of Indonesia’s provinces and NG – RI is a province in Nigeria. Names and codes for subsections are usually taken from official national sources of information.
Previously used codes are (Alpha-4) codes. How to create alpha 4 codes depends on deleting the country name.
How is ISO 3166 maintained?
ISO 3166 is regularly updated to reflect changes to country names and segments. These changes are made by the ISO 3166 Conservation Agency.
ISO 3166 Conservation Agency includes representatives from the following 14 organizations:
- AFNOR Legal Association (France)
- American National Standards Institute ANSI (United States)
- British Standard Institute BSI (UK)
- German Institute for Standardization DIN
- Japan Industrial Standards Committee (JISC)
- Kenya Standards Office (KEBS)
- China Standardization Office (SAC)
- Swedish Standards Institution (Sweden)
- International Atomic Energy Agency
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- Internet Company for Exclusive Name and Number (ICANN)
- Universal Postal Union (UPU)
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
How are country code elements determined?
Following the announcement of the United Nations (UN), the ISO 3166 Regulatory Authority assigns the country code to the new member states of the United Nations. The numeric country code is determined by the United Nations.
As a general rule, ISO 3166 does not assign any country to other geopolitical areas or countries that are not members of the United Nations.