Yep. This is part of the reason I think a world where ISO is more or less self-sustaining, rather than subsidized by/part of some other entity that would be really tempted to influence it, is probably a better world.

In any case, ISO WGs tend to publish final drafts openly. Purchasing the actual standard document is not something required if you are just experimenting or playing around (and if you’re not, you probably can spare some change to support the organization).

There always have been and will always be international politics at play in industry standards organizations, regardless of whether you make it part of the UN or not.