The Portable Document Format (PDF) is now accessible as an ISO International Standard – ISO 32000-1. This move follows a decision by Adobe Systems Incorporated to relinquish control to ISO, who is now in charge of publishing the specifications for the current version (1.7) and for updating and developing future versions.

As an ISO standard, PDF will be easily available to all interested stakeholders. The standard will benefit both software developers and users by encouraging the propagation and dissemination of a common technology that cuts across systems and is designed for long term survival.