After an overview of nuclear energy, with emphasis on recent developments in Western Europe, the current worldwide situation regarding the development of nuclear and radiation protection standards, regulations, recommendations, etc., is briefly reviewed. The main governmental and nongovernmental international organizations attempting to establish harmonized international standards are described, and the review is concluded by a short analysis of the problems faced and an outlook into the future. Although still far from establishing a comprehensive set of universally accepted standards, developments in defining basic safety concepts and requirements by IAEA and the elaboration of specific technical standards in several areas such as radiation protection and the nuclear fuel cycle by ISO/IEC may be viewed with cautious optimism. International standards are an increasingly important factor for improving nuclear and radiation safety, reducing costs, facilitating the across-the-border trade of goods and services and technology transfer to less developed countries, and may contribute to a better public acceptance.