Leaders from the Automated Imaging Association, the European Machine Vision Association and the Japan Industrial Imaging Association have signed a cooperative agreement to develop and promote global machine vision standards in Stuttgart, Germany, at the 2009 Vision trade show. Standardization issues now will be developed by one lead association and promoted mutually by the group as a global industry standard. If there is no consensus on the global need for a standard, each association retains the right to develop standards outside the cooperative group.