WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/TBT/GEN/112 
19 April 2011  
 
(11-2012) 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade Original:   English 
  
 
IEC ACTIVITIES IN DEVELOPING CO UNTRIES (NOVEMBER 2010 – MARCH 2011) 
 
Update provided by the IEC
  
  
The following information w as provided by the IEC
 (International Electrotechnical 
Commission) at the TBT Committee meeting of 24-25 March 2011.  
_______________ 
 1. This report to the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade Committee highlights the activities of the 
IEC, its Members and Affiliates, and Regional Cent res, related to increasing the participation of 
developing and newly industrialized countries in IEC International Standardization and Conformity 
Assessment activities. 
I. IEC NEW DEVELOPMENTS 
A. 
IEC WHITE PAPER ON SMART ELECTRIFICATION  
2. In September 2010, the IEC published a White Pa per, Coping with the Energy Challenge – 
The IEC's role from 2010 to 2030 – Smart electrification – The key to energy efficiency. The Paper was prepared by the IEC MSB (Market Strategy Bo ard) composed of Chief Technology Officers from 
the world's electrotechnical community.  It takes a lo ng-term view, up to 2030, of the electrical energy 
issues facing our society the IEC's role in respondi ng to these issues.  Drawing heavily on data from 
the IEA (International Energy Agency ), the IEC believes that smart electrification, the intelligent and 
economic use of electricity as a major energy source, will be one of the most significant factors in addressing the energy challenge. Electricity is the most versatile and controllable form of energy, the easiest and most efficient to distribute.  At the poi nt of use it is practically loss-free and essentially 
non-polluting and it can also be generated cleanly.  The IEC has identified key areas where significant 
emission reductions of greenhouse gases and efficien cy increases can be achieved without holding 
back economic development.  The IEC will emphasi ze the need for standards to achieve systemic 
efficiencies and to develop a set of specificati ons giving minimum acceptable performance rules and 
options for the operation of smart electric grids.  The IEC will strengthen its ties with a range of 
relevant international and government al organizations and invite them to join forces with it in an 
effort to combine both policy and technology to pr ogress smart electrification.  Relying on the IEC's 
technical competence and ability to involve all releva nt stakeholders is a major factor that will allow 
the global community to build a better future. 
3. A summary of the White Paper was circulated in the IEC Report to WTO Members in 
November 2010. An electronic copy of the fu ll version is downloadable on the IEC website. 
B. 
SMART GRID STANDARDIZATION  
4. Building on the launch of the recent IEC Wh ite Paper and represented by its Smart Grid 
Strategic Group 3 Chairman, Richard Schomberg, the IEC was given the opportunity to present its G/TBT/GEN/112 
Page 2  
 
  smart electrification strategy at the November 2010 G20 ministerial summit meeting in South Korea.  
The message delivered to the audience was that IEC had the International Standards needed by 
industry and government to take action, increase the efficiency of the existin g electricity grid and 
identify those areas for improvement. IEC has alre ady mapped out the energy chain and the metric 
relevant to redesigning the energy chain.  More in IEC e-tech December 2010. 
C. 
HIGH -TECH TRADE  
5. IEC Immediate Past President, Jacques Régis, addressed leaders of 65 electronics associations 
from all continents during the WEF (World Electroni cs Forum) held in Las Vegas, USA, in January 
2011, which took place in parallel with the CES (Cons umer Electronics Show).  He underlined the 
importance of international standards for innovati on and global trade in electronics and explained how 
globally relevant specifications and metrics, comb ined with consistent conformity assessment allow 
electronics manufacturers to reach many more markets, including major development markets, faster and at lesser cost.  Delegates could learn that any company may provide comments on any IEC International Standard provided that they are sci entifically and technically sound.  Also, any 
company, however big or small, may participate in  IEC Standardization work through the auspices of 
its NC (National Committee).   More in IEC e-tech January-February 2011. 
D. 
IEC INTERNATIONAL STANDARD FOR UNIVERSAL PHONE CHARGER  
6. IEC published the first globally relevant univer sal phone charger standard for data-enabled 
mobile telephones in January 2011.  IEC 62684 covers  all aspects of the charger, connector and plug, 
as well as safety, interoperability a nd environmental considerations.  
7. IEC General Secretary and CEO Ronnie Amit said "W e all have drawers full of chargers that 
became obsolete as soon as we buy a new phone.  T oday, we have a truly ope rational global standard 
that will allow the industry to end this waste and si gnificantly reduce environmental impact.  This is 
something millions of consumers have been waiting for. I am proud that the IEC has managed to get 
the best possible technical solution in record time to the market."  
8. The International Standard IEC 62684, Inter operability specifications of common external 
power supply (EPS) for use with data-enabled m obile telephones, has been accepted by the National 
Committees participating in IEC TC (Technical Committee) 100:  Audio, video and multimedia 
systems and equipment.  More in IEC News release 2011 – No 3. 
E. IEC INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING  
9. The IEC and e8, a global organization of 10 worl d leading electricity companies, for the first 
time, have brought together all major stakeholders  that need to collaborate to accelerate the global 
roll-out of EVs (Electric Vehicles).  At this high-level international round table that took place on 19 
January 2011 in Washington DC, USA, and which repr esents a milestone in the future growth of these 
vehicles, all participants confirmed that the IEC' s existing and proposed International Standards for 
EV charging satisfy their global needs.  The objectiv e of the round table was to determine priorities 
for the development of EV-related standards, to define future needs, and to accelerate the broad 
adoption of the relevant International Standard s that will enable global interoperability and 
connectivity.  More in IEC News release 2011 – No 4.  G/TBT/GEN/112 
 Page 3 
 
 
  II. IEC AFFILIATE COUNTRY PROGRAMME 
A. A FREE PROGRAMME FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES  
- Upon invitation from IEC General Secretary, free of charge and use of the IEC's electronic 
environment; 
- Official commitment from the IEC Affiliate Country to use IEC International Standards at 
national level and to participate in IEC standardization work (Pledge document); 
- Facilitated adoption of 200 IEC International Standards as national ones; 
- Launched in 2009, new Affiliate Pl us status gives right to 400 IEC International Standards; 
- for national adoption and mentoring from IEC Member countries; 
- Login access to the working documents, up to an d including CDV stage, of 10 selected IEC 
TCs/SCs (Technical Committees/Subcommittees); 
- Guidelines to use IEC Conformity Assessment Systems; 
- Assistance to establish a National Electrotechnical Committee; 
- Participation in IEC General Meetings, incl uding attendance to technical meetings and 
workshops; 
- Online training and guidance via IEC electronic tools. 
 
B. AFFILIATES SECTION ON IEC NEW WEBSITE  
10. In January 2011, the IEC launched a new website .  The new site navigation philosophy uses 
menus for broad concepts.  Subjects are first introdu ced and then elaborated more in detail.  The 
Affiliates section was restructured to be more us er-friendly and to give participants in the IEC 
Affiliate Country Programme useful tools to pa rticipate in IEC free programme for developing 
countries.  
11. IEC Affiliate countries can now access their das hboard using shortcut urls: ACP (Affiliate 
Country Participant) + ISO country code (2 letters). Example for Malawi:  http://www.iec.ch/acp-mw . 
C. MORE NATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMITTEES IN DEVELOPING AND NEWLY 
INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES  
12. Since the publication of the IEC Affiliate Guidelines in 2009, 12 Affiliate countries have 
reported the establishment of their NEC (National Electrotechnical Committee).  Many developing 
countries may not be in a position to bring toge ther all the stakeholders in the field of 
electrotechnology.  A starting point is sometim es to establish a "basic" National Electrotechnical 
Committee with just a few stakeholders being invo lved. This enables the development of a "core" 
infrastructure allowing the country to benefit from the IEC Affiliate Country Programme and, with 
time, other stakeholders are involved.  After establishing its National Electrotechnical Committee 
within the IEC Affiliate Country Programme, Ge orgia was able to involve enough stakeholders 
representing the public and the private sectors a nd became IEC Associate Member in 2010. 
D. 13 COUNTRIES WITH AFFILIATE PLUS STATUS  
13. The Affiliate Plus status is the ultimate step  of the IEC Affiliate Country Programme for 
developing countries that have met certain criteria of participation, but are not yet ready to become Members of the IEC.  It is an intermediary stage to allow such countries to understand and participate 
in the work of the IEC, while adop ting IEC International Standards.  G/TBT/GEN/112 
Page 4  
 
  14. Launched in 2009, the Status has already been  granted to 13 countries that fulfilled the 
Affiliate Plus criteria: they declared the national adoption of at least 50 IEC International Standards 
and set up their National Electrotechnical Committee.  This gives them now the right to double the 
number of IEC International Standards for adoption (400 instead of 200) and to apply for mentoring 
to enhance their participation in IEC technical work. 
E. 
IEC AFFILIATES USE THEIR ADOPTION RIGHT  
15. With the launch of the IEC Affiliate Country  Programme ten years ago (2001), the adoption 
of IEC International Standards has been facilita ted for developing countries.  With now 3500 IEC 
International Standards used as national standard s in 36 Affiliate countries as well as on regional 
levels, there is no doubt that the IEC has a role to play in the developing and newly industrialized 
world in terms of electrification programmes, saf e use of electrical household appliances, renewable 
energies, electrical energy efficiency, conformity  assessment, etc.  IEC International Standards on 
plugs and sockets, low voltage electrical installations, cables, switches, safety of household appliances, conductors, batteries or safety require ments for audio, video and similar electronic 
apparatus are most often adopted for use on the natio nal level. More on Affilia te adoptions on the IEC 
website. 
III. IEC AND CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT  
16. The IEC supports all types of CA (Conformity Assessment) – first, second and third party – 
and administers three global CA Systems, each of which operates Schem es based on third-party 
conformity assessment certification.  Together th ey establish that a product is reliable and meets 
expectations in terms of performance, safety,  efficiency, durability and other criteria. IEC 
International Standards and CA Systems help redu ce trade barriers caused by different certification 
criteria in different countries.  The IEC CA System s also help remove significant delays and expense 
for multiple testing and approval. Th is allows industry to reduce cost and enter markets faster with its 
products. The IEC CA Systems – IECEE, IECEx a nd IECQ – each cover a dedicated segment of 
electrotechnology.  Their ultimate objective is to facilitate global product acceptance by means of one 
test, one certification and, when appropr iate, one mark valid in all markets. 
A. 
HISTORIC AGREEMENT BETWEEN IEC , ILAC AND IAF  
17. An historic agreement between IEC, ILAC  (International Laboratory Accreditation 
Cooperation) and IAF (International Accredita tion Forum, Inc.) in October 2010 will help 
significantly reduce cost, time and complexity for the reassessment of certification bodies and testing 
laboratories that are accredited by IAF and ILAC Member ABs (Accreditation Bodies).  One of the 
most important outcomes of the tripartite MoU (Mem orandum of Understanding) is that henceforth a 
single reassessment – instead of three – will suffice a nd be accepted by all three bodies.  This type of 
cooperation agreement is unprecedented in the conf ormity assessment world and builds on years of 
collaboration between the IEC Conformity Assessment Systems, ILAC and IAF.  A common Steering Committee was created and will be responsible fo r developing cooperation strategies, providing 
support and dealing with project issues and deliverab les. Another objective set out by the MoU is to 
facilitate a coordinated application of ISO/IEC In ternational Standards a nd guidance documents for 
the purpose of assessment of certification bodies and testing laboratories operating in the IEC CA Systems.  This includes a common understanding of the technical issues and the harmonization of the 
respective assessment procedures. Provisions are also  made for joint training and workshops for lead 
assessors, and when possible, joint work on the de velopment of harmonized procedures and policies.  G/TBT/GEN/112 
 Page 5 
 
 
  B. IECEE – IEC SYSTEM OF CONFORMITY ASSE SSMENT SCHEMES FOR ELECTROTECHNICAL 
EQUIPMENT AND COMPONENTS  
18. IECEE covers safety and performance for a wi de variety of equipment and components used 
in homes, offices, workshops, healthcare facilities a nd more.  IECEE Test Certificates are mutually 
recognized by all members. A product that has been t ested in one member market will not have to be 
retested in another, if the relevant national diffe rences have been taken into account.  As a result 
approval and certification at the nati onal level is greatly facilitated. 
C. IECEE CB -FCS 
19. The streamlining of the IECEE CB-FCS (Certification Body-Full Certification Scheme) in 
2010 proved to be extremely successful. Harmoni zed documentation and forms and simplified 
procedures have turned what was a fairly complex scheme into the perfect instrument for companies 
that plan global product rollouts. IECEE's objective in establishing the CB-FCS was to offer the most 
comprehensive product certification scheme in the wo rld, based on the principle of mutual recognition 
of Conformity Assessment certificates and factory inspections by its Members. Many IECEE NCBs 
(National Certification Bodies) immediately seized the importance of the Scheme and its impact on 
international certification. To date, 31 IECEE N CBs have signed the CB-FCS Multilateral Agreement. 
With CB-FCS the manufacturer is able to complete all certification and factory inspection steps in the 
country the factory operates in. Without CB-FCS, a factory certification involves the regular submission of samples to every export country as well as initial and regular factory visits by 
inspectors from each of those Certification Bodies operating in the exporting countries, a process that 
is costly and time-consuming. 
D. 
SAFETY OF HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT  
20. With globalization and industrialization, the saf e use of electrical appliances is a priority for 
industries and governments, in particular in deve loping and newly industrialized countries where the 
quality of imported goods has become a key issue.  The regulatory environment applied to electrical 
appliances varies from country to country, but manuf acturers usually have to contend with either a 
performance-based or a pre-market intervention regu latory environment. In both cases, standards are 
vital for the appliance industry to manage the risk associated with electricity and appliances.  The IEC 
organized a workshop on Ensuring performance an d safety of household electrical appliances in 
industrializing countries during its 74th General Meeting in Seattle, USA, in October 2010.  The 
objective of the workshop was to demonstrate how the IEC provides both International Standards and 
IECEE Conformity Assessment as the platforms for promoting safety.  The IECEE Executive 
Secretary co-chaired the workshop with the Chai rmen of IEC TC 59: Performance of household and 
similar electrical appliances, and IEC TC 61: Safe ty of household and similar electrical appliances. 
E. IECEE CB TEST CERTIFICATES  
21. The total number of IECEE CB Test Certificates is sued in 2010 is the highest ever, with more 
than 71 000 certificates. In comparison, IECEE issued 59 654 certificates in 2009. 
F. IECE X – IEC SYSTEM FOR CERTIFICATION TO STANDA RDS RELATING TO EQUIPMENT FOR USE IN 
EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES  
22. IECEx covers the highly specialized field of e xplosion protection associated with the use of 
equipment in areas where flammable gases, liquids and combustible dusts may be present.  This 
System provides the assurance that equipment is ma nufactured to meet safety standards, and that 
services such as installation, repair and overhaul al so comply with IEC International Standards on G/TBT/GEN/112 
Page 6  
 
  safety.  The System has recently been endorsed  by UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission 
for Europe) as the recommended Conformity Assessment System for hazardous environments. 
G. 
IECE X CERTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL COMPETENCE SCHEME  
23. Included in the last report was information con cerning the new IECEx CoPC (Certification of 
Personnel Competence) Scheme being finalized for wh ich the previous explosion that caused an oil 
spill from an offshore drilling rig in the Gulf of Me xico demonstrated the need for extremely strict 
safety measures for equipment and competence of pers onnel in such an environments.  Since the last 
report, the new IECEx CoPC Scheme was launched w ith the first IECEx CoPC Certificates now being 
issued and publicly available on th e IECEx On-Line Certificate System. 
24. This new IECEx initiative provides regulators, pl ant owners and those responsible for safety 
and compliance of Ex installations, such as oil and g as, grain handling, etc. with an instant means of 
confirming the competence of individuals to apply Ex related work according to IEC International 
Standards. 
H. SPECIAL UNIQUE EX EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS NOW COVERED BY IECE X UNIT VERIFICATION 
CERTIFICATES  
25. As a result of industry demand, the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme extended in 
November 2010 with a new feature to provide for the issuing of an IECEx Unit Verification Certification to cover "one-off" special purpose bu ilt equipment used in areas that are likely to 
encounter explosive gases or vapours or combustible dusts. 
I. 
OFFICIAL UN ENDORSEMENT OF IECE X VIA THE UNECE  
26. Following a four-year project of the UNECE to develop a model regulation for consideration 
by all UN Members, the UNECE has concluded that use of IEC TC 31 International Standards 
supported by IECEx Certification is recommended as  the basis for national regulations governing the 
sale and use of Ex equipment, Ex servicing and the competence of personnel in the Ex field.  This recommendation and endorsement of IECEx and IEC TC 31 is to be demonstrated in the UNECE 
CRO (Common Regulatory Objective) doc ument due to publication in March. 
J. 
IECQ – IEC QUALITY ASSESSMENT SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS  
27. IECQ ensures the safety and reliability of elect ronic components used in the IT industry, 
avionics, and more.  It also monitors and tests the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment and provides assessment and cer tification for facilities that handle unprotected 
ESD (electrostatic discharge) sensitive devices. 
K. 
IECQ RE -ENGINEERING FOCUSES ON THE FUTURE  
28. IECQ accomplished a complete re-engineering of the System with the publication of the new 
Rules of Procedure to streamline the certification processes covering: 
- IECQ Approved Components 
- IECQ Approved Processes 
- IECQ ECMP (Electronic Components Management Plan) 
- IECQ HSPM (Hazardous Substance Process Management) 
- IECQ ITL (Independent Testing Laboratory)  
  G/TBT/GEN/112 
 Page 7 
 
 
  29. Included in this overhaul is the provision of assessment and certification of companies that 
operate an electrostatic discharge management system  to control the harmful effects of electrostatic 
discharge. 
IV. IEC'S ENGAGEMENT IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION 
30. The IEC actively engaged with new and current stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region to 
help promote the awareness of the IEC, its Inte rnational Standards and Conformity Assessment 
Systems and the benefits of participation. In addition to promotional activities, the IEC actively 
supports the training of experts from developing eco nomies on the development of IEC International 
Standards. Some of IEC's recent engagements in the region include: 
A. IECE X SEMINAR IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM , 11 NOVEMBER 2010   
31. The Seminar was a follow-up to the recommendations made at the IECEx Symposium in 
Brunei Darussalam in 2008.  Organized to help the local authorities and industries have a better 
understanding of the new IECEx Certification Pe rsonnel Competence Scheme and its benefits, the 
Seminar saw keen participation from both the pub lic and private sectors.  Following an active 
discussion at the Seminar, it concluded with a recommendation for more and deeper discussion on 
standards and conformity assessment relating to IECE x in the future.  More in IEC e-tech December 
2010. 
B. NINETH JISC /IEC/APSG HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR ON STANDARDS FOR 
ENERGY AND RESOURCE SAVING , KUALA LUMPUR , MALAYSIA , 30 NOVEMBER -1 DECEMBER 
2010 
32. The Seminar was organized to create awareness of the latest IEC developments relating to 
energy efficiency of household and IT applian ces, audio, video and media systems as well as on 
design automation.  With the energy efficiency of products being increasingly regulated, it is important to expose the industry and government bodies on these developments  and to encourage the 
use of IEC International Standards.  Particip ants from 10 economies in the Asia-Pacific region 
attended the event, with strong industry participa tion from Malaysia. Training on IEC International 
Standards development process was also organized for Malaysian experts back to back with the 
Seminar.  
C. L
ITES.ASIA , BANGKOK , THAILAND , 7-8 DECEMBER 2010 
33. Lites.asia is a network established to facilitate greater participation by Asian economies in the 
development of IEC International Standards for light ing quality and efficiency .  The IEC participated 
in the lites.asia meeting to assist participation on international standardization through sharing on the 
processes and procedures involved in the developmen t of IEC International Standards and providing 
the latest updates on the IEC and its work on lighting. Lites.asia is established with funding from USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and the Australian Government 
Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. 
D. J
OINT ISO /IEC REGIONAL COURSE ON ADOPTIN G AND REFERENCING INTERNATIONAL 
STANDARDS , SINGAPORE , 9-11  FEBRUARY 2011 
34. Organized jointly for the first time by ISO and IEC, the Course shared on the national 
obligations on the use of international standa rds under the WTO TBT Agreement, guidance on 
policies and practices that National Standards Bodi es should establish on the adoption and referencing 
of international standards and the methods for adopt ing international standards.  Participants from 14 G/TBT/GEN/112 
Page 8  
 
  Asia-Pacific economies attended the course, repre senting the National Standards Bodies (52 per cent), 
the government (40 per cent), industry (4 per cent) and other stakeholders (4 per cent). 
V. IEC REGIONAL CENTRE FOR LATIN AMERICA SUPPORTS IEC AFFILIATES 
35. The IEC-LARC (IEC Regional Centre for Latin America) is the focal point and resource for 
the IEC in the Latin American region, helping to promote awareness of the IEC in the region, increase 
the use of IEC International Standards and IE C Conformity Assessment Systems and enhance 
participation and membership of countries in the region.  The IEC-LARC coordinates and organizes 
training events, seminars and workshops that ma tch the needs of the region. Events range from 
seminars on the use of IT tools in the IEC to work shops on specific technical areas. Besides focusing 
on IEC Members, IEC-LARC is also a focal point in  the region for IEC Affiliates and other countries 
not yet involved with the IEC. During the Aff iliate Forum held during IEC General Meeting in 
Seattle, USA, in October 2010, IEC-LARC Manager Amaury Santos assisted IEC Affiliate Leader 
Carlos Rodríguez, Costa Rica, at a meeting w ith the Latin American delegates from Honduras, 
Dominican Republic, Peru and Trinidad and To bago.  They discussed their NECs (National 
Electrotechnical Committees) and involvement of thei r stakeholders. The Secretary of the Peruvian 
NEC explained how INDECOPI, the National Institute  for the Defence of Competition and Protection 
of Intellectual Property, had bene fited earlier in June from special assistance from IEC-LARC and the 
IEC Affiliate Secretariat to organize a virtual mee ting and awareness session for their stakeholders in 
order to get more familiar with the IEC.  The aim was to show stakeholders of the future Peruvian 
NEC how the IEC website works and to demonstrate how  the IEC's range of interactive tools can help 
Peru improve its participation as an Affiliate Count ry. The stakeholders were in Lima, Peru, and the 
speakers were on the other side of the world.  The establishment of the Peruvian NEC was finally 
announced in October 2010. 
 
__________