![]() “The industry we serve has evolved,” he remarked, “and indeed is still evolving. Vreeswijk went on to comment upon some of the important trends in the power supply industry. At the same time, these standards are voluntary since only governments have the power to make them mandatory.” “In the end”, added Vreeswijk, “a standard is vetted by all potential users and that’s what makes it consensus-based. But this is precisely what helps eliminate any risk of bias.” It’s a lengthy process since every country sends out a draft to their local experts to comment upon. Said Ehrlich, “we aim for the best technical solution in each case while also trying to avoid a situation where purely commercial interests might dominate. Gabriela Ehrlich, then Global Head of the IEC’s Marketing & Communications function reinforced this message. Every country then has the opportunity to vote on that standard which, once adopted, becomes a new standard available to everyone.” We are also consensus-based”, he added, “and focused such that the best technical solution to a problem must always be reflected in a standard. While there are other international organizations that set standards, these are membership-based and different from the IEC that, like the UN, relies on the principle of one country, one vote. #Inmr setting integral values iso#“In this regard, we are recognized by the UN – along with the ISO and ITU – as one of only three international standards setting organizations. “We work to facilitate global commerce on behalf of our stakeholders,” he said. In fact, Vreeswijk saw this as the underlying mission of the IEC. “We are consensusbased and focused such that the best technical solution must always be reflected in a standard.” For example, even China has adopted IEC standards in a big way.” Vreeswijk. there is widespread recognition that common international standards are the basis for promoting trade. While there may sometimes be slight regional variations due to differences in climate, etc. “But to allow this to happen most efficiently, standards are needed that are accepted worldwide. “Manufacturers these days are looking to sell their products in more and more countries in order to realize global demand,” he said. In 2014, INMR interviewed IEC Secretary General & CEO, Frans Vreeswijk to discuss this organization’s role as well as how it has been evolving.Īccording to Frans Vreeswijk, there is a simple explanation behind the growing influence of the IEC when it comes to setting standards that govern all types of electrical equipment and components. And, in this domain, the International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC) is playing an ever more important role in linking the needs of users and suppliers of all types of electrical apparatus and systems used in power networks. ![]() ![]() Indeed, the need to support growth of trade is one of the reasons behind the growing influence of universal standards. These days, globalization of trade and technology and also the industry-wide goal of standardization to reduce costs have combined to make local standards increasingly obsolete. Sometimes, these utilities even issued their own standards. By contrast, a proportionately lesser role is now being played by large power supply companies, who used to be more influential and, depending on country, recently seem to be sending fewer experts to such groups. Companies recognize how important it is to influence standards at the earliest stage so as to ensure they align as closely as possible with existing as well as future products – whether these are insulators, surge arresters, circuit breakers or indeed any high voltage apparatus. Little wonder then that the Technical Committees, Working Groups and Maintenance Teams charged with developing new and updating existing standards are increasingly dominated by representatives from manufacturers. ![]() Otherwise, sales opportunities begin to vanish. Someone involved in setting standards in the high voltage industry once remarked: “a standard can pave the way for a generation of commercial success by one supplier but it can also become an impassable roadblock for another supplier.” What he meant by these words is that manufacturers of electrical equipment and components these days must ensure that their designs and manufacturing processes meet the relevant standards demanded by customers. ![]()
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