I recently answered [a question][1] about the meaning of the word "dimension" as used in physics.  In that response, I provided the definition given in the International Vocabulary of Metrology ([VIM][2]) and yet my answer was voted down a couple of times.

It got me wondering, if the International Bureau of Weights and Measures ([BIPM][3]) isn't as official as it gets for definitions, who does make "official" definitions relevant to the physics community?  For that matter, what other organizations make "official" determinations of other kinds?

In your answer, please understand that I know science is not dictated by popular opinion or official decree, but I am interested in those groups that are widely recognized and accepted. (e.g. [CODATA][4] provides values for universal contants)


  [1]: https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/14620/meaning-of-dimension/14627#14627
  [2]: http://www.bipm.org/en/publications/guides/vim.html
  [3]: http://www.bipm.org/en/home/
  [4]: http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Constants/papers.html