Technical Committeessort by issue
How can IEC shape the circular economy?
IEC ACEA and TC 111 take a close look at material efficiency and the circular economyFrom mounting piles of waste to the depletion of natural resources, the current modes of production and consumption are unsustainable. Based on the current linear economic model,...
Survey results on the circular economy and material efficiency
An interview with Solange Blaszkowski, Chair of IEC ACEAAs the topics of the circular economy (CE) and material efficiency (ME) receive greater importance around the world, the Advisory Committee on environmental aspects (ACEA) recently...
Smart tools and apps for home gardeners
Robots in the gardenHome gardeners looking to upgrade their lawnmowers, sprinklers and outdoor lights can choose from a growing range of tools paired with smart technology, which need not cost the earth.
Virtual reality makes real life even better
Innovative technologies improve business operations and enhance workplace safetyImagine being able to see the issues of large-scale construction projects before building is complete and to collaborate with engineers and architects to keep on top of changes, or...
How secure is your data self?
In our digitalized world, we need to understand, control and ensure data securityIn 2019, a day of data includes 500 million tweets, 294 billion emails, four terabytes produced by a connected car, 65 billion messages sent over WhatsApp and two billion minutes of...
Moving data around the network
Data networking is at the centre of current digital trendsThe digitalization of information is underway. It is enabling the use of data to better understand our preferences and provide us with the services that match our needs. At home, the...
Standards will make e-scooters safer
New TC to provide standards for personal e-transportersWalking down a city street, pedestrians have recently been confronted by a new phenomenon. Sailing by on sidewalks or bike lanes, commuters have adopted electric scooters as a popular...
Under the laser spotlight
IEC Technical Committee 76 prepares safety standards for lasersLaser technology is so widely used today that we forget that it can be dangerous for our health if it does not meet the strictest safety standards. IEC expertise in producing safety...
Digital learning is redefining education
Imagine experiencing an historic moment as it happens, or discovering cellular biology in 3D from inside the body. This is now possible using virtual realityIn parts of Asia, North and South America, Europe and Africa, digital technologies are enabling students to learn more effectively and from entirely new perspectives.
In the beginning there was...terminology
Plans are afoot to make the Electropedia more accessibleIEC Technical Committee (TC 1) is the earliest IEC TC and plays an essential role maintaining the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) otherwise known as the Electropedia.
Making IT sustainable
IEC and ISO join hands to develop energy efficiency benchmarks for ICTISO and IEC produce many joint standards which specify how to improve the energy efficiency of information and communication technology (ICT). A number of these publications deal...
Balancing privacy, security and convenience in mobile devices
Industry, governments, regulatory bodies, and consumers need international standards for biometric authentication technologyMobile devices have rapidly changed society and the way in which we interact and exchange information. For example, the mobile phone has rapidly evolved from being purely a telephone to...
Keeping track of things with RFID
Agriculture, healthcare and retail are some of the industries that already benefit from radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.RFID plays a key role in streamlining supply chain management applications, as the digitization of industries advances.
Eliminating bias from algorithms
Eliminating bias from the data used to train algorithms is a key challenge for the future of machine learningWael Diab, who is leading international efforts to standardize artificial intelligence (AI), has identified the mitigation of data bias as a priority challenge for eventual future...
How secure is your medical device?
Technology advances and the rising awareness of fitness are driving the smart medical devices industryIn 2007, when cautious doctors replaced a former US Vice President’s heart defibrillator, a battery-powered device placed under the skin to monitor heart rate, they modified it so it...
How to get your motor going
Energy efficiency is a key driver for electric motor related standardsOne of the earliest IEC technical committees (TCs) prepares the future for electric motors and generators.
How tech savvy leaders stay ahead of the game
Standards addressing latest technologies give business strategies a competitive edgeRapid advances in technology are changing how we live and work and along with this, the expectations of people and businesses.
Protecting the planet
IEC TC 111 prepares crucial Standards to help industry meet environmental targetsIEC Technical Committee (TC) 111 prepares horizontal International Standards which are key in helping to ensure electrical and electronic products are designed with the environment in...
A glimpse into the future
Pioneering research spurs on IEC multimedia workCutting edge research and development (R&D) projects are improving tomorrow’s world for people with disabilities, for car drivers and even for radio listeners. IEC Technical...
Embracing the technology that is reshaping our world
Innovative information technologies are an inextricable part of modern lifeBillions of connected devices and systems make up the internet of things (IoT), and help to simplify how we communicate, work and go about daily tasks.
Building on synergies is the way forward
IEC develops effective business model for systems committeesIncreasingly, industry projects need to apply a combination of standards, in order for products and systems to run smoothly. The technology must be interoperable at different levels and...
Clothes that reveal how you really feel
Electronics and sensors woven into textiles and other wearables enable comfortable and reliable health monitoringInternational Standards for wearable electronics devices are now being actively worked on in a number of technical committees (TCs) within the IEC community.
Riding the crest of the wave
Renewed focus on marine energy relies on ground-breaking IEC publicationsLarge marine energy facilities are being deployed, with the help of pioneering standardization work accomplished by IEC TC 114.
First International Standards committee for entire AI ecosystem
Industry recognizes standardization will be essential to broad adoption of AIInformation technology has become an integral part of our lives whether it be in the consumer, industrial or commercial aspects. It is hard to imagine life, work or entertainment...
Evolving with digital transformation
Interview with Phil Wennblom, new Chair of ISO/IEC JTC 1Information technology has penetrated our homes, cities and workplaces, as billions of “sensorized” devices and systems that form part of the internet of things (IoT) help to...
Smart buildings for smart living
Open Sesame! Or the door to your home, using voice commandOur world is getting smarter by the minute. Voice recognition allows us to tell devices to do things, such as find a specific TV channel or remind us of all our appointments for the...
Living in a smart world
Standardization helps achieve an effective, safe, reliable IoT, while enabling the creation of a global marketWhether we realize it or not, the internet of things (IoT) is part of many aspects of daily life. Thanks to billions of connected, “sensorized” devices and systems, it can...
Achieving harmonization
Recognition for the work done by IEC TC 40 experts around the worldCapacitors, resistors and inductors are passive components. Together with active components (semiconductors), circuit boards, connectors and some other components such as filters,...
30 years of Standards for cutting-edge technology
ISO/IEC JTC 1 to broaden its remitInformation technology doesn’t stand still and neither does the IEC and ISO joint technical committee, ISO/IEC JTC 1, established in 1987 to cover these technologies. This year,...
Driving the internet of things through standardization
IoT is all around us with millions of connected devicesThe internet of things (IoT) is now in sharp focus for the technology industry and for standards development organizations, such as IEC, which publishes consensus-based International...
A place in the sun
Standards for solar PV support market needsAs the price of photovoltaic (PV) systems continues to tumble and the requirement for cleaner renewable forms of energy grows, more and more of our energy needs will be met by...
Turn up the heat
New Technical Specifications on electromagnetic nearfieldsSafety is a crucial concern for anyone working in industries that use electroheating. The IEC has established key International Standards in that area under the remit of IEC...
80th anniversary of industrial electroheating standardization
Polish experts continue to play a significant part in leading the development of standards in this important field.Alicja Haras, Secretary of IEC Technical Committee (TC) 27: Industrial electroheating and electromagnetic processing, looks back at the TC’s history.
Thirty years of ICT standardization
IoT subcommittee is the new kid on the blockThe world has never been more connected and surrounded by ICT. Whether we realize it or not, many aspects of ISO/IEC JTC 1 work affect daily life. From a smart toothbrush, animal...
From toys to human organs – the diversified world of 3D printing
Today, 3D printing is considered as a disruptive technology that has the potential to radically change the way we produce and consumeThe term "3D printing", also known as additive manufacturing, originally referred to a process that deposits a binder material onto a powder bed with inkjet printer heads...
Tags, RFID and the Internet of Things
e-tech catches up with Dan Kimball, Chair of ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31Information technology is all around us and part of our daily lives. Shopping has never been easier, with the swipe of a barcode, voice recognition and fingerprints provide access to...
From H₂ to electricity and to H₂O – the virtuous circle
Fuel cell technologies offer opportunities to generate cleaner energyFuel cells (FCs) convert chemical energy from a fuel into electrical energy and heat through a chemical reaction, and not through combustion. Increasingly they are being introduced...
Ready for the Smart Grid?
The IEC is updating Standards which have wide repercussions on Smart GridsAs the use of Smart Grids escalates around the world, the IEC is busy updating some of its most requested International Standards. Technical Committee (TC) 57: Power systems...
Ten years of marine energy standardization
IEC work helps lay the foundations of an emerging Renewable Energy sectorToday, a number of different technologies are being developed to extract energy from oceans, such as tidal, river and ocean current and wave power. Though only a few large-scale systems...
Mitigating the risks and impact of explosions
IEC Standards help reduce the number of casualties from accidental industrial explosionsExplosions in a wide range of industrial or other installations can be caused by the wrong or faulty equipment, and/or by poor operating procedures or mistakes. Risks can be...
Expanded scope for SyC AAL
IEC work to help people remain active longerTo deal with Active Assisted Living (AAL) issues, the IEC has established a Systems Committee, IEC SyC AAL. This SyC has the role of promoting safety, security, privacy and cross-vendor...
Raising awareness on IEC standardization work
IEC TC 40 public website paves the way for outreach from other IEC TCsRecently several IEC Technical Committees (TCs) expressed the wish to have their own website to present specific TC activities that may be of interest to the general public.
Why the IoT needs standardization
Interview with Sangkeun Yoo, Convener for ISO/IEC JTC 1/WG 10: Internet of thingsThe internet of things (IoT) is already part of our lives. It’s penetrated our smart cities and homes, agriculture, automotive/transportation, energy management, entertainment,...
Standardization can help millions access electricity
IEC approves Systems Committee for LVDCIt has been a busy year for Systems Evaluation Group (SEG) 4: Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC) Applications, Distribution and Safety for use in Developed and Developing...
IEC actively supports gender diversity
Embracing the female perspective in standardizationGender equality is essential for achieving peace, defending rights, fostering economic growth, and promoting global well-being. In standardization, it is important to include female...
IEC work supports cross-sector AAL
IEC plays a growing role helping those seeking to remain active to access a variety of servicesTo deal with Active Assisted Living (AAL) issues, the IEC has established a Systems Committee, IEC SyC AAL. This SyC has the role of promoting safety, security, privacy and cross-vendor...
Smart Energy moves ahead
Systems Committee on Smart Energy Technical Committee ForumSmart Energy can be described as connecting many points of generation with many points of consumption, from end-to-end, not limited to just the electric grid. Smart Energy is also...
The technology that makes our world tick
International Standards contribute to the prevention of cyberattacksAs more areas of our lives become connected to the Internet of Things (IoT), the work of experts in ISO/IEC Joint Technical Committee (JTC) 1: Information Technology, who develop...
Standards help improve digital audio and video
New ways of working drive technologies for compressing and transmitting imagesInformation and communication technologies pervade our daily lives and all economic sectors. The way we access and use information has changed. We view, send and receive documents and...
Standards support Smart Grid architecture
IEC International Standards will play critical role in Smart Grid power supply and distribution infrastructuresInformation is gathered and decision making occurs at substation level in Smart Grids. The electricity-dispatching control centre deals with the strategic management of grid...
Limiting access to approved persons only
Heightened security measures at regional and international sports eventsIn addition to their natural sports appeal this year’s European Football Championship, Euro 2016, and Olympics Games have been marked by an unprecedented deployment of human and...
Multimedia systems and equipment produce different realities
Virtual reality and augmented reality rely on audiovisual systems and equipmentVirtual reality (VR), which replicates an environment, and augmented reality (AR), which adds elements and information to a real environment, are made possible through the incorporation...
TC work underpins mobile and stationary energy storage
Batteries are driving growth in mobile devices, e-mobility and stationary energy storageIn recent years consumers have benefited from the introduction of countless mobile and wearable IT and consumer electronics (CE) devices and systems. Meanwhile, public and individual...
Protecting systems small and big from electromagnetic disturbance
IEC TC work on EMC protects covers multiple domainsElectromagnetic interference can adversely affect many electronic and electrical systems and equipment. Ensuring the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of these systems and equipment...
Cables still in the loop for data transfer
RF systems are thriving in support of ICT and media sectorsRadio frequency (RF) equipment is still widely used for the distribution and transmission of data, voice and multimedia content in the telecom, broadcast, information and communications...
More light for less energy
IEC TC standardization work helps cap energy use for lighting in the long termThe lighting sector is undergoing a profound transformation as most countries, seeking to limit increases in their energy consumption, adopt energy-efficient solutions. IEC Technical...
Protecting homes and buildings from intruders
Multiple sectors to drive steady growth for the alarm and electronic security systems sectorThe market for alarm and electronic security systems will continue to expand in coming years, fed by the quest for increased safety and security, constant concern over terrorism and...
Pioneer in innovation
ISO/IEC Joint Technical Committee 1 on information technologyISO/IEC JTC 1 is the Joint Technical Committee of the IEC and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for International Information Technology Standards. Created in...
Securing our digital lives
Organizing chaos and safeguarding dataAs information technology becomes ever more pervasive in our daily lives, one large group of experts is at the forefront in helping to secure our digital environment. Their work covers...
Always safer medical electrical equipment
IEC standardization work ensures medical electrical equipment and systems are safe to use and operateMedical care rests on trust. Trust between patients and medical staff and trust of the latter the equipment they use for examining and treating patients. IEC International Standards are...
No power without communication
Communication between equipment and systems is increasingly important for electric power gridsA transition from one-way power distribution structures to two-way grids, where information is exchanged in both directions between producers and consumers, is taking place. This change...
Powerful and quick as the wind
Wind power is set to gather more pace with the growing reliance on renewable energiesAs countries throughout the world try to increase the share of renewable energies (REs) in their electricity generation portfolio, wind power has surfaced as the most cost-effective and...
Sensing light at fibre end
A number of components bring light to the end of the fibre, allowing multiple applicationsFibre optic systems can be found in a number of applications including communications and sensors. IEC Subcommittee (SC) 86C prepares International Standards for fibre optic systems and...
The heat is always on for special TC
Clean and energy efficient electroheating is found in many industrial processesElectroheating, the high-power heating of material using electrical energy, is widely used in the food-processing industry. However, it is better known in other sectors for dealing with...
TC work supports EV market expansion
As the number and variety of EVs continues to grow, IEC TC 69 work will remain central to the marketplaceElectric vehicles (EVs) are on the move. Their impact on the automotive and industrial vehicle sectors will continue to grow in coming decades, not just in terms of volume, but also of...
Connecting down the line
From line traps to power systems managementEnergy infrastructures are evolving towards connected systems, such as Smart Grids. Over the past five decades, major advances in technology have changed the way power is generated,...
Staving off the dangers of DIY
Hammering home safety firstIn an age of innovation and constant technological evolution, the availability of a wide variety of affordable and easy-to-use power tools enables many people to maintain their homes...
IEC Systems Committee Smart Energy
Systems Committee on Smart Energy to extend the scope of strategic or other horizontal groups to bridge areas covered by more than one or two TCs/SCsAs power utilities have to cope with the complex mixture of ever growing demand, the integration of intermittent sources from renewables and ageing infrastructures, the need for...
Larger, smaller, sharper and… pervasive
Displays of all sizes are to be found everywhereIn recent years fast growing sales of CE (consumer electronics) and ICT (information and communications technology) systems, which doubled between 2007 and 2014, have driven a huge...
Dedicated to improving quality of life
Standards will help the elderly lead a healthier, more active and independent lifeEnhancing the health, quality of life and independence of older people has become a priority for many states as a fast ageing population presents them with a number of social and...
IEC Standards drive hi-tech advances
A handful of disruptive technologies supported by IEC standardization have emerged in recent yearsA number of new key technologies have entered the manufacturing world after years at the R&D stage. Among these, fibre optics, printed electronics and nanotechnologies are having a...
Sea, sun and earth
Standardization and certification for renewable sourcesAs energy demand keeps rising countries seek to cut their reliance on fossil fuels for economic and environmental reasons. REs (renewable energies) are set to play a role in this shift....
Energy storage helps power world ahead
Balancing power generation and demand requires the right storage solutionsTo balance increasing levels of intermittent RE generation from wind and solar systems, EES (Electrical Energy Storage) solutions are needed that use and store energy efficiently and...
Standards matters in road/rail transport
Safer road and rail transport with IEC StandardsRoad and rail transports are enjoying a major expansion throughout the world, they are central to the global economy. They depend on electrical and electronic systems which rely on...
Sharper, better pictures and sounds
IEC Standardization work is instrumental in driving multimedia growthMultimedia users are constantly expecting better audio and video quality on their equipment whether they access content on large or smaller, mainly mobile devices. A number of IEC TCs...
How standards impact our world
Ensuring safety and simplifying lifeModern life is more and more IT centric, whether buying a plane ticket, making reservations, paying bills, reading the news, watching a movie or downloading a song. Many daily...
Getting the right picture
Advances in medical imaging make for better diagnosis and treatmentA central aspect of modern medical treatment is the ability to see inside the body and identify lesions or illnesses in a non-invasive manner. International Standards for many of the...
How standards help achieve sustainability
Energy-efficient, safe productsWe live in a fast moving world, in which technology is constantly evolving. There are increasing numbers of devices and systems in the marketplace which are used in various daily...
From research to standardization
IEC TC 33 Chairman on career highlights and power capacitor standardizationDr Hebbale Narasimhaiah Nagamani took over the chairmanship of TC (Technical Committee) 33: Power capacitors and their applications for a six-year period on 1 May 2014. Nagamani has a...
Print map for the electronic industry
IEC TC helps ground-breaking technology progressPrinted electronics is a relatively new technology that uses an additive process to create a variety of electronic components and systems. It is rapidly advancing from research and...
Big data, big future
New ISO/IEC JTC1 study groupBusiness, academic, and government leaders broadly agree about the potential of big data to fuel innovation, advance commerce and drive progress. We know that big data could change how...
Batteries central to future grid storage
Batteries are set to play an increasing significant role in future grid energy storageElectricity is consumed as it is generated, supply must be reliable and demand must always be met. This requires spare capacity that can be ramped up rapidly and, ideally, storage....
Standards for marine energy move on
Extensive standardization work needed to develop marine energy sectorMarine energy is emerging as a huge source of renewable energy but depends on disparate kinds of energies, all of which require different technologies for their full exploitation. IEC...
Standards the heart of safe medical equipment
IEC work critical to safe medical careIEC International Standards play a central role in guaranteeing the safe operation of electrical medical equipment for the wellbeing of patients and users. International Standards in...
Eavesdropping on health matters
IEC standardization work on ultrasonics furthers medical advancesMost pieces of electrical medical equipment and systems are used in only a limited number of procedures. This is not the case in the ultrasonic domain, which has a very wide range of...
On the right track
IEC standardization for rail transport contributes to the sector's developmentRail transport is a well-established and pivotal mode of transportation both for passengers and freight and is a key component of the global economy. It has enabled many remote areas to...
Gearing up for standardization
IEC TC 119 Working Groups dealing with standardization on printed electronicsPrinted electronics is set to revolutionize the electronics industry and many other domains. It will prove a disruptive, yet creative process that will allow the production of new...
Small or huge – displays are everywhere
Supporting our thirst for multimedia content electronic displays are part of our livesThe top categories of products presented at this year's Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show and due to come onto the market in 2014 include electronic displays that offer different...
TC work to help thwart potential threats
Preventing electromagnetic interference from nuclear and other weaponsAs concerns about potential risks to power and telecommunication grids from nuclear devices and electromagnetic weapons grow, IEC subcommittee work takes centre stage
Tackling noise effectively
IEC TC 29 develops Standards to measure noise and lower its negative impactNoise is second only to pollution in terms of negative environmental impact, a fact often overlooked as it is not as easy to see. Noise is estimated to cost countries huge sums every...
Helping turn solar power into electricity
IEC Technical Committee works on solar photovoltaic energy systemsTogether with wind and marine resources, energy generation from PV (photovoltaic) systems is a relatively recent source of renewable energy. It has been expanding dramatically in recent...
Brighter, cleaner and cheaper lights
More efficient and robust technologies will benefit users and the environmentIn 2007, the International Energy Agency estimated that lighting accounted for just under 20% of electricity use worldwide. Public policies, reflecting environmental and energy saving...
Printout for the future
New IEC TC for new technologyPrinted electronics is a relatively new technology that uses an additive process to create a variety of electronic components and systems. It is rapidly advancing from research and...
Keep safety sky high
IEC TC works to ensure electronic systems for aircraft operate reliablyThe safety of aircraft, even light aircraft, has become increasingly reliant on electronic systems – avionics – designed and manufactured for ADHP (aerospace, defence and high...
Trust your doctor and his equipment
IEC International Standards ensure medical electrical equipment and systems are safe to use and operateMedical care is a matter of trust, patients trust doctors and medical staff who, in turn trust the equipment they use for examining and treating patients. IEC International Standards...
Taming excessive noise levels
IEC TC 29 develops Standards to measure noise and lower its negative impactNoise is second only to pollution in terms of negative environmental impact, a fact often overlooked as it is not as easy to see. Noise is estimated to cost countries huge sums every...
Legal sharing of digital media content made easier
IEC and ITU cooperate to develop cross-platform IPTV standardAs consumers become increasingly mobile, digital media solutions need to deliver flexibility across technology platforms and devices, while protecting content producers rights....
Profile: Karen Higginbottom
Chair of ISO/IEC JTC 1: Information TechnologyKaren Higginbottom has been Chair of ISO/IEC JTC (Joint Technical Committee) 1: Information technology since November, 2008 and she has participated in the Committee since 1992. In...
Avoiding accidents
Adding electrical equipment to industrial machines for safer operationEquipment such as machine tools and robots has been used extensively in a variety of manufacturing sectors for decades. Individuals working with or in close proximity to these machines...
Safer work on live installations
Established and new work practices and equipment ensure safe live workingElectrical equipment cannot always be powered down for maintenance or repair and work must therefore frequently be carried out on live installations, often at high voltages. IEC TC 78:...
Thwarting potential threats
Preventing electromagnetic interference from nuclear and other weaponsAs concerns about potential risks to power and telecommunication grids from nuclear devices and electromagnetic weapons grow, IEC subcommittee work takes centre stage
Safer entertainment and work
IEC TC work ensures audiovisual, IT and communication equipment is safe to use for allAudiovisual and information and communication technology equipment can be found in virtually all homes and working environments. The widespread existence of such electrically powered...
System: more than the sum of its parts
Why system standards and conformity assessment need a different approachA system by definition combines a number of different elements. Each of these elements by itself has a limited and defined function. However, when they are brought together in a system...
Balancing power needs using fuel cells
Emerging sector will play major role in meeting tomorrow's energy challengesFCs (fuel cells) convert the chemical energy of fuels such as hydrogen, methane or methanol into electricity through a chemical reaction. They are found in various power units and are...
TC work central to hydropower success
The clean power of waterHydropower continues to be the main source of clean energy in the world. Worldwide, it accounted for 16% of overall electricity generation and for 81,6% of electricity generation from...
Wherever it blows, TC work is essential
Wind at the forefront of renewables fieldGovernments throughout the world are trying to increase the share of renewables in their electricity generation portfolio both as a precaution against fluctuating prices for fossil...
TC 120 for smart grid integration
EES (Electrical Energy Storage) Systems to be focusRecognizing that the proportion of RE (Renewable Energy) is likely to increase in all major electricity markets, but that large-scale incorporation of RE into existing electricity grids...
Rechargeable power anywhere
Balancing power supplies and growing digital needsSecondary batteries, which can be recharged, unlike their primary counterparts, offer the greatest flexibility for many applications, whether mobile or stationary. They make up the...
Disposable yet irreplaceable
Some fire left in primary batteriesAccess to power whenever and wherever it is needed is essential. When connection to the grid is not available or in other cases it can only be ensured by batteries. The global share of...
Developing standards for safer navigation
IEC TC supports increased use of electronics for navigation and communication at seaSafety at sea, always a major concern for seafarers, has made huge advances in the last hundred years, particularly where navigation and communication systems are concerned....
No power, no safe shipping
TC work covers all electrical installations in a demanding environmentMerchant ships are the lifeblood of the global economy, transporting around 90% of international trade (in terms of volume), as well as some two billion passengers a year. Continuous...
Heat without fire for manufacturing
Heady times for TC 27 expertsElectroheating, the high-power heating of various materials using electrical energy, is used to make countless products we use, consume or even eat. Steel or aluminium ingots, ceramics...
Small but powerful
Micro electromechanical systems are the current big thingMEMS (Micro electromechanical systems), were invented in the 1980s and have been used for years by the car, computer and medical industries as well as for industrial applications. Now,...
The heat is on!
No rest in sight for TC 27 expertsCountless products we use, consume or even eat can result from employing electroheating techniques. Electroheating is the high-power heating of various materials using electrical...
Safeguarding the Olympic spirit
Joint ISO/IEC Committee work central to Olympic Games organizationEnsuring the security of major global sporting events such as the Olympic Games or the World Cup represents a major challenge for organizers. The contests attract huge crowds and...
TC work helps keep households safe
Safety begins at homeThe large and rapidly increasing number of electrical appliances used in the home and elsewhere means that new and updated standards are constantly required to deal with safety issues...
Environmental aspects changing markets
Regulations and markets require environmental standardizationMore attention than ever before is being given to the overall environmental impact of industrial goods throughout their whole life cycle: from raw material acquisition to the...
Rechargeable power anywhere
Energy on tapInstant access to electricity anywhere, at any time, is becoming more and more important. In many conditions and locations, only batteries can provide this access. Secondary batteries,...
Primary batteries shall not go flat
Category proves irreplaceableStored electrical energy is essential for providing access to power whenever and wherever it’s needed, as well as for helping balance supply and demand or when power from the grid is...
No power: no ships, no offshore drilling!
Electrical installations in the maritime environment – a dynamic domainSteam propulsion, which ushered in the era of modern ships, was introduced in the first decade of the 19th century. The next major technical milestone – electric power – was...
Standardization for safe global shipping
Increasing use of electronics at seaCarrying an estimated 90% of world trade and billions of passengers every year, international shipping represents the life blood of the global economy. Safety, always a major concern...
![Electric vehicle quick charger [photo: P. Martin-King].](/var/etech/storage/images/media/images/2012-04/thumbs/pict2188/30128-2-eng-US/PICT2188_article_g3.jpg "Electric vehicle quick charger [photo: P. Martin-King].")
Wheeling along quietly, without interference
CISPR's work on behalf of the electric vehicleOne of the IEC TCs (Technical Committees) that deals with EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) is CISPR, the international special committee on radio interference. CISPR works to...
Electrosmog
Measuring and setting EMC limitsCISPR, the international special committee on radio interference, is one of two IEC TCs (Technical Committees) that deals with EMC (electromagnetic compatibility), the other...
Creating the big picture
IEC TC 65 and ISO TC 184 join forces to plot automationThere's strong motivation among some of the world's leading industrial automation experts to streamline their future international standardization work and make it clearer and more...
Shocking electronics
Standards define test impulses, mostlyElectronic products must pass some level of immunity test when subjected to conducted or radiated energy. Some of those tests include subjecting the equipment under test to electrical...
The future is bright, the future is flat
Flat panel displays dominate the multimedia and ICT marketsDisplays are central to all multimedia, ICT (information and communication technology) and to a large number of other devices and systems, such as digital still cameras, mobile phones,...
TC work sustains media expansion
Harmonization through collaboration with other relevant bodiesThe audio-visual and multimedia sectors contain some of the world's most dynamic and productive industries. They are not limited to manufacturing systems and products for professionals...
Plug and play
Enabling the smart home and officeSeamlessly switching off lights, turning on heating or cooling remotely, communicate or listen to music that follows you as you move from room to room, this not only requires smart...
Ground lighting for the skies
Take off and land in safetyAir traffic safety is a complex and multi-dimensional issue. As one of its main elements, AGL (airfield ground lighting) is essential for the movement of aircraft both in the air and on...
LED into the future
Leading lights in the fieldPublic policies, reflecting environmental and energy saving concerns, are driving the global take-up of energy-efficient bulbs. LED (light-emitting diode), or solid-state lighting...
ISO/IEC JTC 1 Plenary in November
ISO/IEC JTC 1 2011 Plenary Meeting in CaliforniaThe ISO (International Organization for Standardization)/IEC JTC (Joint Technical Committee) 1: Information Technology Standards, is the standards development environment where experts...
Master mariners need standards too
Ensuring the safety of ships and offshore unitsThe safety of ships, of mobile and fixed offshore units and of their crews, is of prime concern and is largely dependent on the reliable operation of electrical installations, of cables...
Keeping copper in the loop
RF systems are ‘live wires’RF (radio frequency) equipment is widely used for the distribution and transmission of data, voice and multimedia content in the telecom, broadcast, ICT (Information and Communications...
A guiding light in fibre optics
Maintaining the signalEver since the invention of the first low-loss optical fibre in 1970 and the initial installation of optical fibre networks in the early 1980s, the market for fibre optic-based...
IEC supports renewable energies
Wind, water and sun come into playGlobal energy needs are increasing constantly and with the diminishing supply of fossil fuels and rising environmental and safety concerns, renewables are likely to occupy a growing...
Carry-on reading
International Standards for multimedia e-publishinge-books are bringing new opportunities to the publishing industry. Offering more than a mere interface for reading text, e-bookscan provide much better picture quality than is available...
Standby for better performance
Much is being written and said about the smart homes of the future, with their networked appliances and automated systems, but a networked home also means a home with a large number of appliances on standby.Even in our current 'un-networked' homes, standby power accounts for 5 % to 15 % of a household's power consumption in developing countries and is responsible for 240 million tonnes of...
Ultrasonics
A trip to the hygienist might be less daunting than a visit to the dentist, but even so......most of us probably spend our time in the hygienist’s chair willing the process to be over.We are less likely to occupy ourselves examining the equipment used to clean and descale...
Tiger in the tank
Getting from A to Z – sustainablyThe stakes in EVs are high and growing. The motor industry considers EVs to be key to providing sustainable transportation for people and merchandise while reducing emissions and...
Risk management
Ensuring the safety of patients and medical carersMuch needs to be safeguarded in healthcare. One aspect concerns the safety of the patients themselves. Equally important is the safety of those who operate the systems used to diagnose...
H-to-H2O
Fuel cell technologies are developing rapidly and their use is spreadingFrom buses and aeroplanes to robots and medical equipment such as wheelchairs, new commercial applications are constantly being developed. Although fuel cell power systems are still...
What's cooking?
Kitchen aids measure upThe ability to measure the performance of electric cooking ranges, hobs, ovens and grills designed for household use is essential for producers, as low power consumption represents a...
All-weather shelters
Protecting electric installations from the weather and other hazardsSafeguarding outdoor electrical installations from the weather and other potential environmental or accidental hazards is essential for their proper operation as well as for safety....
Hands-on
Safe and efficient electric toolsFor gardening and DIY (do-it-yourself), many of us use electric tools in and around the home. We expect not only that they will do the job at hand but also that they will work safely...
Moving billions every day
Shifting the load: Energy-efficient elevators and escalatorsElevators, escalators and moving walkways carry billions of people each day. This form of transport is used by a number equivalent to the population of the entire world at least every...
Sensors everywhere
Impulses that help us control our environmentA sensor is a device that responds to a physical stimulus such as heat, light, sound, pressure, magnetism or motion and transmits an impulse that is used to generate an action, such as...
Robots at your service!
An army on the move to decontaminate, heal and clean!Service robots are proving increasingly valuable. They help deal with the consequences of industrial or natural disasters and other dangerous situations. They have opened up many...
Getting in and out
Access versus accessibilityAccess to a great number of places is, today, largely controlled by machines. Gone are the days when the smiling man was there at the entry point to provide access or to lift the...
A study under natural sunlight
Providing comprehensive rating information for photovoltaic modulesA study by Arizona State University Photovoltaic Reliability Laboratory (PRL) based on IEC 61853-1 provides insights into the difficulty of assessing photovoltaic performance testing....
George Devol: Father of industrial robots
George Devol (1912-2011): Father of industrial robotics and tireless inventorGeorge Devol, the man who has been called the father, grandfather and even great grandfather of industrial robotics and who died on 11 August 2011 at the age of 99, filed his last...
Chinese industry and automation
IEC Experts share knowledge at 10th annual forumFollowing the IEC TC 65: Industrial-process measurement control and automation plenary meeting in Seoul, South Korea, several of the TC officers were invited by ITEI (the...
Helping harness solar power
IEC Technical Committee works on solar photovoltaic energy systemsAs solar power is set to occupy a growing share of the future global energy mix, PV (photovoltaic) energy generation has been expanding dramatically in recent years. IEC TC (Technical...
Moving billions up and down every day
Moving people around and saving energy in commercial buildingsElevators and escalators belong to the daily lives of billions of people. The equivalent of the world's population travels in elevators, escalators and moving walkways at least every...
Improving energy efficiency in the home
Measurement of standby powerStandby power, the electricity used by appliances and equipment while they are in a standby mode or even when they are switched off in some cases, makes up a significant share of the...
Let the sun shine
New Technical Committee on Solar Thermal Electric plants establishedAfter more than two decades of testing, the generation of electricity from STE (Solar Thermal Electric) plants is moving from a research phase to industrial deployment. International...
Plug them in, move them on!
IEC work on International Standards for EV chargingElectrification is essential for the long-term sustainability of individual transportation. Manufacturers are now offering a wide choice of EVs (electric vehicles). Some of these,...
Go East, Young Man!
IEC TC 9 50th meeting in China highlights growing importance of Asia in TC workIn the electrotechnical domain, the importance industries or countries attach to a particular sector are good pointers to their actual participation in the work of IEC TCs (Technical...
Updating Smart Grid methodology
Experts from industry, utilities and regional standards organizations from 13 countries attended an IEC international workshopAn international workshop was organized in Paris, France, on 8-9 March by IEC TC (Technical Committee) 8: Systems aspects for electrical energy supply. The purpose was to debate Smart...
e-books
Bookmark your library – digitized text in handThe e-book and its tablet form have come a long way since the first digital devices were announced. The original models were greeted with a fair amount of skepticism. There was doubt...
High voltage
Safer electrical power installationsIEC TC 99 recently issued a new version of a key electrical power publication, IEC 61936-1, Power installations exceeding 1 kV a.c. – Part 1: Common rules. The standard provides...