The Instituto Ecuatoriano de Normalización, INEN, was created by Decree in 1970, and today is ruled by the "Law of the Ecuadorian Quality System", issued in February 2007. It is the official body for technical standardization and regulation, and metrology; it also works in conformity assessment and quality improvement processes. This work is carried out through organizing technical committees and subcommittees, certifying the quality of products and processes, and granting Seals of Quality, developing metrological activities, and protecting the consumers.

In addition, INEN represents Ecuador in international standardization bodies , namely ISO, COPANT (the Pan American Standards Commission) and SIM (the Inter-American Metrology System).