# Presentation: 294354

## Electrical Product StandardsUnited States

- Frank K. Kitzantides
- National Electrical Manufacturers Association
- March 19, 2002
- Gaithersburg, Maryland

-   Electrical Safety Systems in the Asia Pacific

## Electrical Product Standards: United States 

- Examples of organizations responsible for developing, publishing:
- UL, IEEE, NFPA, NEMA, ASHRAE, EIA, ISA
- These organizations develop standards for all voltage levels
- Generally voluntary consensus standards*.
- Low voltage < 600 Volts AC; electrical distribution products (e.g. MG1, UL 489, 508 etc.)
- High voltage >1000 Volts (AC or DC); product standards above 1KV (e.g.: C37, C57).
- Source documents can be existing standards, manufacturers’ specifications.
- * Some medical products are covered by mandatory regulations. Also, installation codes although voluntary, are adopted by States and local jurisdictions.

## 
Organizations involved:  UL, NEMA, IEEE, NFPA
Can be initiated by component or original  equipment manufacturers (OEMs), other users such as inspectors, installers, government agencies, or standards development organizations (SDOs).
Participants include users, authorities, installers, manufacturers, consumers; balanced representation is required.

- Organizations involved:  UL, NEMA, IEEE, NFPA
- Can be initiated by component or original  equipment manufacturers (OEMs), other users such as inspectors, installers, government agencies, or standards development organizations (SDOs).
- Participants include users, authorities, installers, manufacturers, consumers; balanced representation is required.

**Electrical Product Standards:****Development Process for New Standards****United States**

## Electrical Product Standards:Development Process for New StandardsUnited States, Cont.

- Time required to complete the process varies, but generally 12 to 24 months for new technology products.
- Impact of international standards development organizations such as ISO, IEC, ITU varies. Some organizations adopt them, others propose incorporation of their national practices.

## Process is initiated by SDO or manufacturer or other users.
Participants include the same list as for new standards. Many of those standards going through ANSI process require also public review.
Revision usually completed within 12 months.
The revised standards become effective immediately upon approval; some have also longer effective dates.

- Participants include the same list as for new standards. Many of those standards going through ANSI process require also public review.
- Revision usually completed within 12 months.
- The revised standards become effective immediately upon approval; some have also longer effective dates.

- Electrical Product StandardsMaking Revisions to Existing Standards United States

## Electrical Product StandardsMaking Revisions to Existing Standards United States, cont.

- Products in compliance with previous version are usually allowed to be sold, certainly as replacement parts, but new products are usually not permitted into the marketplace after the new standard is adopted.
- The timing allowed for new compliance varies; codes and other rules could have mandatory compliance dates months or years after adoption.

## 
Requirements of Customs Agency
	- Not the same as CE Marking in the EU. Analogous is the customs authority to enforce trade mark laws (counterfeit mark) at the port of entry. Other private sector organizations work with customs to prevent “unsafe” products.

- Requirements of Customs Agency
- 	- Not the same as CE Marking in the EU. Analogous is the customs authority to enforce trade mark laws (counterfeit mark) at the port of entry. Other private sector organizations work with customs to prevent “unsafe” products.

- Electrical Product StandardsImpact on Importing Products United States

## Electrical Product StandardsImpact on Importing Products United States, Cont.

- Participation of government agencies:
**Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) – product recall.**
**Federal Battery Act – bans the sale of alkaline manganese batteries with added mercury.**
- State and local:
**California Prop. 65:  Products that contain carcinogens and reproductive toxins cannot be sold unless labeled as such.**

## Electrical Product StandardsExpectations for the Future

- New IEC policy on Global Relevance
- Level of harmonization of domestic standards with IEC/ISO standards is increasing. This is particularly helpful for product certification (one standard, one test, global acceptance).

- Electrical Product StandardsExpectations for the Future
- United States