Introduction to the International Electrotechnical Committee

1. INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
IEC ONLINE COURSE 1

2. …the IEC makes electrotechnology work for you!
Founded in 1906 to promote international co-operation on
all questions of standardization and related matters in the
field of electrotechnology

3.  Founded in 1906 to promote international
co-operation in electrotechnical
standardization and related matters
 Non-governmental organization with input
from industry, government and other
stakeholders through National Committees.

4. IEC COUNCIL (C)
(Full Member National Committees)
COUNCIL BOARD (CB)
CENTRAL
OFFICE
(The Executive)
STANDARDIZATION
MANAGEMENT
BOARD (SMB)
Management of
International Standards
work
MARKET
STRATEGY
BOARD (MSB)
Technology watch /
market priorities
CONFORMITY
ASSESSMENT
BOARD (CAB)
Management of conformity
assessment activities and
systems
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (EXCO)
(IEC Officers)
Management
Advisory
Committees
Technical Committees
Strategic Groups
Advisory Committees
Working Groups
Systems
IECEx
Special Working
Groups
IECEE
IECQ

5.  Over 6 900 International Standards
 Over 12 500 experts
 Over 174 Technical Committees
 Over 1 200 Working Groups, Project Teams &
Maintenance Teams
 Over 300 000 products, systems and services
certified to IEC International Standards

6. 6
IEC-ReCNA
Boston
IEC-LARC
São Paulo
IECQ-IECEx
Sydney
IEC CO
Geneva
IEC-APRC
Singapore
6

7. 82 Members 82 Affiliates
IEC Family : 164 countries

8.  The IEC
 through its National Committees (NCs)
 through cooperative agreements and
 directly
 Encourages national use of
 IEC International Standards
 IEC Conformity Assessment Systems, and
 Supports all forms of Conformity
Assessment.

9.  One country = one vote
 Vote on IEC documents based on their
nation’s consensus viewpoint
 Nominate people to develop standards
 Support the use of IEC Conformity
Assessment Systems

10.  Promote the objectives of the IEC
 Support IEC work
 Implement IEC International Standards as
national or regional standards
 Prevent unauthorized reproduction &
distribution of IEC publications in its
country
 To be fully representative of all relevant
(or interested) parties in its country

11.  Best experience of
industry, researchers,
consumers and regulators
 Over 12 500 experts from
companies, laboratories,
academia and government
 Safety, performance,
interoperability,
environment
…the foundation for trade and innovation.

12.  Basis for conformity
assessment
 Promote safety &
consumer confidence
 Stimulate economic
growth & development
…promote technology transfer.

13.  Reduce costs for
standards
development
 Benefit from existing
know-how
 Give products a better
chance to succeed
 Technology trends
…provides a competitive edge.

14.  Is a product what it appears
to be?
 Does a system function the
way it should?
 What about:
 Safety?
 Performance?
 Reliability?
…through Conformity Assessment.

15. IECEE IECEx IECQ
IEC System of Conformity
Assessment Schemes for
Electrotechnical Equipment
and Components
IEC System for Certification
to Standards Relating to
Equipment for Use in
Explosive Atmospheres
IEC Quality Assessment
System for Electronic
Components

16.  Quicker market access
 Cut down trade barriers
 Reduce costs
 Standardized approach
to testing and
certification
 Increase confidence

17.  Globalization is a reality. Trade is global
 Facilitate interoperability
 Improve safety
 Improve efficiency
 Protect the environment
 Standards used as basis for regulations

18.  Remove delays and costs of multiple
testing and approval:
 Products get to market more quickly and
expense reduced
 Trade barriers caused by different certification
criteria in various countries reduced
 New markets opened up
 Help to ensure a fair global trading system
in accordance with WTO.

19.  Influence the developments and content of
IEC Standards
 Early warning of developing markets,
establish customer contacts
 Improve product safety and quality
 Rationalization and cost reduction in
design and manufacturing.

20.  International Standards are best source for
governments for
 Legislation/regulation
 Issuing tenders
 Recognized source for WTO compliance
 Contributes to fulfilling World Trade
Organization’s Agreement on Technical Barriers
to Trades
 Standards provide detailed technical
interpretation of the law.

21.  Putting our products into context: “Recognizing the
important contribution that international standards
and conformity assessment systems can make in
this regard by improving efficiency of production
and facilitating the conduct of international trade. . .”
 “Members shall use [international standards] as a
basis for their technical regulations....”
 “Members shall play a full part...in the
preparation...of international standards....”
WTO TBT Agreement

22.  The IEC platform
offers:
 market access
 global awareness
 technology transfer
 business efficiency
Participation means real benefits.

23. INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
www.iec.ch tiss@iec.ch