INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION The IEC and International Standards

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION The IEC and International Standards as enablers of technolgy transfer Gabriel Barta IEC delegate to the UN

The World of Standards International: IEC, ISO, ITU, UNECE Regional: Africa (e. g. AFSEC, SADC) Americas (e. g. COPANT, MERCOSUR) Asia-Pacific (e. g. ASEAN, PASC) Europe (e. g. CENELEC, ETSI) National bodies/committees (e. g. Tunisia, Italy, France, USA) 2

What is the IEC? § § International, quasi-governmental org. World leader in preparing International Standards for “electrotechnology” § § Also operates IECEE, IECEx and IECQ § § All electrical, electronic & related technologies Global conformity assessment systems Testing, certification and approval Equipment, systems and components Environment, safety, performance, efficiency 3

IEC in Figures § IEC countries (members + affiliates) § Number of technical committees § Number of working groups § Number of experts § Number of publications in catalogue § Number of pubs. issued in a year § Conformity assessment systems § Valid certificates § HQ in Geneva; other regional offices: 76 + 83 = 159 174 ~ 1 000 ~ 9 000 6 027 500 - 600 3 100 000 4 4

IEC is already relevant to PAM countries § A large majority (81 %) of PAM members are IEC members § PAM members, with IEC members shown as Country (“AM” = Associate Member): Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AM), Croatia, Cyprus (AM), Egypt, France, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (AM), Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan (AM), Lebanon, Libya, Malta (AM), Monaco, Montenegro (AM), Morocco (AM), Palestine, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Syria, Tunisia (AM), Turkey § Active participation is a different question 5

“What does this have to do with us? ” § Standards allow industrial development & trade by creating a level playing field § Experts’ involvement raises national expertise, brings companies up-to-date § So standards are an essential tool for technology transfer § Standards also play role in mitigating risks § Including how to avoid or minimize the consequences of catastrophic events 6

National Committees (NCs) of the IEC § § NCs participate in standards development They represent all interests in their country § § § § Industry: manufacturers — suppliers Industry: users — customers Government and regulators Academia Testing laboratories Consumer associations End users 7

Parliamentary actions for trade & economic development § The IEC proposes to Parliaments: 1. To adopt a Resolution § To create. support or broaden (as relevant) the National Committee of the IEC § To facilitate its participation in the Technical Committees active in nationally strategic areas 2. To assure a budget for training of experts & for participation in standards development 8

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION Thank you www. iec. ch/