ISC was previously established as the Industrial Standards Bureau within the Technical Department of the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy. Later, however, having noted the key role of standardization in Cambodia, the Government issued a Sub-Decree on Industrial Standards of Cambodia in May 2001. As a result, the Industrial Standards Bureau was changed into the Department of Industrial Standards of Cambodia in February 2002, the abbreviated name remaining the same (ISC), and was set up under the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, following the Government policy to promote and encourage the use of standards.

ISC is the central body for standardization, conformity assessment, TBT Enquiry Point of the WTO, and related technical matters in Cambodia.

Standards in Cambodia are a fairly new concept, but ISC is adopting international standards, although some manufacturers have used standards developed by other countries. ISC is working towards educating and making Cambodian consumers and industries aware of the need for standards so that Cambodia's exports and imports match international standards and are of high quality.