The International Commission on Illumination - also known as the CIE from its French title, the Commission Internationale de l´Eclairage - is a world wide technical, scientific and cultural, non-profit organization. It is recognized internationally as the leading authority on the science and art of light and lighting, colour and vision, photobiology and image technology and by the International Standards Organization (ISO) as an international standardization body.

The activities of the CIE are overseen by National Committees (NCs). They are responsible for all decisions on matters relating to the CIE. The composition of the NCs varies from country to country, but each is required to represent and have the cooperation of all organizations having an interest in light and lighting within the country. The NCs, through their presidents or nominated representative, come together every two years at a General Assembly.

The work of the CIE is carried out through six Divisions. Each NC can appoint one member to each Division to represent their interests in the work of the Division. To carry out the work of the CIE, the Divisions set up Technical Committees consisting of a small group of experts that focus on a single topic with the goal of producing a Technical Report or Standard. NC can nominate a member to any committee providing they have expertise in the area of the TC and are willing to participate actively in it.