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The IAU FITS Working Group (IAU-FWG) is the international control authority for the FITS (Flexible Image Transport System) data format. The IAU-FWG was formed in 1988 by a formal resolution of the XXth IAU General Assembly at Baltimore to maintain the existing FITS standards and to approve future extensions to FITS. The IAU-FWG serves under Commission 5 (Documentation and Astronomical Data) which in turn serves under Division 12 (Union-Wide Activities) of the International Astronomical Union.

The Flexible Image Transport System (FITS) data format was developed in the late 1970s to interchange astronomical image data. The final negotiations on its design occurred in March 1979. By 1981, the year that the specifications were published in an astronomical journal, FITS had become the de facto standard data interchange format of astronomy. This fact was recognized by the IAU, which adopted FITS as its standard data interchange and archiving format by a resolution at the Patras (1982) General Assembly.

Currently there are 23 members of the IAU-FWG, chosen to represent the interests of both ground- and space-based astronomy at all frequencies which astronomers observe, and to represent various regions of the World, major astronomical data centers, major astronomical software packages, and the historical traditions of FITS. The current chairman of the IAU-FWG is William Pence (NASA/GSFC) and the vice-chairman is Lucio Chiappetti (IASF Milano, IT).

The IAU-FWG works closely with the four Regional FITS Committees representing Australia/New Zealand, Europe, Japan, and North America. The regional committees review and vote on any proposals related to the FITS Standard as part of the formal approval process. This voting process, with multiple formal votes, is designed to assure that changes to the FITS standard are carefully considered by the entire worldwide FITS community and that minority interests are not ignored.

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