Page 17 - DIVA_No.24_2006

100 years of passion and dedication

in electricity and electronics

ho decides that the At present, some 175 techni-
SfOJ) hiittoii On your cal committees and subcom-
iPod should be represented mittees, as well as some 700
ky a square, while the project or maintenance teams
pause button should he two carry out the work of the orga-
vertical hues:' Why are AA nization. These committees
batteries and CDs the same may for example prepare tech-
111! over the world? nical documents on specific
subjects within their respecti-
The answer lies in Geneva, ve areas, which are then sub-
which has been home to the mitted to IEC members or
world's leading organization National Committees (NCs)
for electrical and electronic who decide by vote whether
standards for more than 50 these become International
years, but 50 years is only half Standards. In total, some 7
the story. Founded in London 000 experts worldwide parti-
in 1906, the International Aharon Amit, IEC General Secretary cipate in the technical work of
Electrotechnical Commission the IEC. To improve efficien-

(IEC) is the international orga- "Geneva has been home to the improving industrial cy and reduce overall costs,
nization that prepares and IEC since 1948 and while our efficiency. the distribution of documents
view and our impact are glo-
publishes for standards production is
International
Standards for all electrical, bal, it's from here that we Areas covered by IEC stan- 100% electronic.
electronic and related techno- organize it all. Geneva has dards include all electrotech-
logies. been very good to us over the nologies, including electro- There are two possible forms
decades and we intend to be nics, magnetics and electro- of participation in IEC work.
Celebrating its 100th anniver- celebrating our 200th anni- magnetics, electroacoustics, Full membership enables
sary this year, the IEC counts versary here in 2106." multimedia, telecommunica- countries to participate fully in
some 80 staff members in tion, energy production and international standardization
Central Office in Geneva. It Why are International distribution as well as associa- activities. Associate members-
also has two regional offices, Standards so important? ted general disciplines such as hip enables those countries
one in Massachusetts, USA, terminology and symbols, with less financial resources to
and the other in Singapore. A The main objectives of the electromagnetic compatibility, still take part in some of IEC's
third office is likely to open in IEC are to promote internatio- safety and the environment. work (limited participation).
Latin America in the near nal co-operation on all ques-
future. tions of electrotechnical stan- For industries that manufactu- Sixty-five countries from all
dardization and related mat- re products and services that parts of the world, and who
According to IEC General ters, such as the assessment of fall within the fields covered represent all the major trading
Secretary Aharon Amit: conformity to standards. IEC's by the organization, the bene- nations, take part in the IEC's
"While ourl00th anniversary International Standards also fits of using its standards standardization's activities.
offers us a good opportunity to facilitate world commerce by include greater product and These play a key role in all
reflect and celebrate past removing technical barriers to service quality, more interope- decision-making instances of
accomplishments, 2006 also the exchange of goods and rability, better production and the Commission. For the IEC,
marks 100 years of service to services, leading to new mar- delivery. End-users of such this enables the widest degree
the electrical and electronic kets and economic growth. products also gain. In of consensus on standardiza-
industries, to member coun- IEC's standards are thus vital addition, IEC standards, serve tion work to be reached at an
tries and to society. Such an as they also represent the core as a basis for national and international level. It is then
anniversary is a milestone, but of the World Trade regional standardization and up to members to align their
(WTO) as references when drafting
the IEC isn't stopping there Organization's policies accordingly in their
nor even slowing down. As in Agreement on Technical international tenders and countries.
all other years, we will be Barriers to Trade (TBT), contracts. At the same time,
launching new projects and whose 140-plus central IEC standards aim to encoura- IEC members, whose role is
publishing new International government members expli- ge and improve quality of life also to encourage new compa-
that by contributing to safety,
recognize
Standards while aiming to citly nies and new industries to get
consolidate past successes International Standards nota- human health and the protec- involved, usually comprise
and achieve new goals." bly play a critical role in tion of the environment. representatives of: "manufact-

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