WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
G/TBT/GEN/118 
11 Juillet 2011  
 
(11-3401) 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade Original:   English 
  
 
IEC ACTIVITIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES (MARCH - JUNE 2011) 
 
 
The following information was provided by  the IEC (International Electrotechnical 
Commission) at the TBT Committee meeting of 15-16 June 2011. 
 
_______________ 
 
 
1. This report to the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade Committee highlights the activities of the 
IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) a nd its 162 Members and Affiliates, related to 
increasing the participation of developing and newl y industrialized countries in IEC International 
Standardization and Conformity Assessment activities. 
I. IEC NEW DEVELOPMENTS 
A. NEWLY BORN IEC TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON SOLAR THERMAL ELECTRIC PLANTS  
2. In May 2011, a new IEC Technical Committ ee - TC 117 - was established to draft 
International Standards in the field of STE (Solar Thermal Electric) Plants.  Energy is becoming one 
of the most urgent and strategic issues of the policy maker’s agendas.  Renewable energies are 
expected to play an increasing role in the final energy consumption structure (2020 and beyond) in the 
whole world.  Renewable energies are the only su stainable alternative to the increasing energy 
demand providing security of supply, avoiding CO 2 emissions and preventing from the uncontrolled 
impact of the fossil fuel price increases on th e economies of developed and developing countries. 
Within the whole range of renewable energies, solar technologies show the largest potential. (See IEC White Paper on smart electrification, IEC report to the WTO, November 2010).  The need for standardization in the field of STE Plants arose in  2007 when new commercial plants in Spain and the 
USA were constructed and connected to the grid after a long period of stagnation from 1991. Many 
regulations at national and inte rnational levels already exist, which must be respected in 
manufacturing the components and erecting the plant, but standards for specific components and 
functionalities along with the univocal definition of performances and testing methods are missing. A 
global and systematic approach needs to involve experts at world level within the IEC and 20 
countries have already committed to work within IE C TC 117.  With Spain holding the Secretariat, 
they will prepare International Standards in the fi eld of STE Plants at system and component levels, 
including measurement standards fo r performance tests. Standardizing in the field of STE Plants will 
be necessary for at least the next ten years as th e technology will evolve progressively.  A fruitful 
production of standards is therefore foreseen as result of the activities of this new IEC TC 117.  More 
in IEC e-tech  May 2011 
B. 
FASTER STANDARDIZATION FOR FAST -MOVING TECHNICAL FIELDS  
3. The IEC has taken the decision to try cutting down the voting time for the enquiry stage of a 
standard, the CDV (Committee Draft for Vote), by near ly half, so as to accelerate the delivery of the 
final standard . CDV is the last possible moment at which changes can still be made to the content of G/TBT/GEN/118 
Page 2  
 
  an International Standard. The CDV period currently runs for five months and, during this time, a 
future standard can be made available for comme nts during a public enquiry stage.  While overall 
standards development time has be en significantly reduced over the y ears, to a large extent due to 
electronic document production and sharing, the CDV period was never reduced as some countries needed this time to efficiently consult with thei r industries and other stakeholders before submitting 
their final comments regarding a standard. However,  with broad access to information technology, the 
IEC now feels that it may be reasonable to reduce the length of this consultation period.  The IEC 
SMB (Standardization Management Board), the d ecision-taking body of the IEC responsible for 
standards development, has decided to put in pl ace a pilot project involving three TCs (Technical 
Committees) that work in fast-moving technical fields and produce a considerable number of 
publications.  The three TCs will have the option to reduce the CDV enquiry time and voting from 
five months to three months; they include IEC TC 40: Capacitors and resistors for electronic equipment, IEC TC 86:  Fiber optics, together with its three SCs (Subcommittees) and IEC TC 100: 
Audio, video and multimedia systems and equipment, including its eleven TAs (Technical Areas). Based on this experience, the IEC SMB will decide one year from now if it can extend this practice to 
all IEC TCs so that the whole IEC can benefit from the decrease in time it takes to develop a globally 
relevant voluntary Interna tional Standard.  More in IEC e-tech  March 2011  
II. IEC REACHES OUT TO REGIONAL PARTNERS 
A. 
AFSEC CAPACITY BUILDING EVENT FOR AFRICA  
4. The AFSEC (African Electrotechnical Standardization Commission) is organizing a training 
event with the IEC for African experts in electrot echnology.  With the support of the African Union 
through its African Energy Commission, this capacity building event – to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, 
5-9 September 2011 – will address all African countries involved in electrotechnical standardization activities, IEC Members and Affiliate Countries.  IEC Standardization Strategy Manager will 
accompany IEC TC 64 Chairman to provide guidance and expertise in electrotechnical standardization.  IEC TC 64 on electrical installati ons and protection against electric shock is one of 
the five technical fields selected by AFSEC to st art work with the IEC. The other mirror committees 
are: 
- IEC TC 8: Systems aspects for electrical energy supply 
- IEC TC 13: Electrical energy measurement, tariff- and load control 
- IEC TC 57: Power systems management and associated information exchange 
- IEC TC 77: Electromagnetic compatibility  
5. To register for this event please contact: secretariat@afsec-africa.org and more on AFSEC 
website ( http://www.afsec-africa.org/events/ ) 
B. EUROASIAN INTERSTATE COUNCIL FOR STANDARDIZATION , METROLOGY AND 
CERTIFICATION (EASC) 
6. IEC Immediate Past President represented the IEC to EASC 39th meeting held in 
Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan, 11-12 May 2011. Most  EASC countries are part of the IEC Family: 
Belarus, the Russian Federation an d Ukraine are Full Members of the IEC. After participating in the 
IEC Affiliate Country Programme Georgia and Ka zakhstan joined the IEC as Associate Members 
whereas another four are still participating in the Programme: Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and 
Turkmenistan.  The remaining countries – Azerbaijan,  Uzbekistan and Tajikistan – have been invited 
to join the IEC free Programme for developing and industrializing countries.  The event gave IEC the 
opportunity to present an update on its activities a nd to reinforce the cooperation agreement signed 
with EASC in 1998.  G/TBT/GEN/118 
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  C. ASEAN (ASSOCIATION OF SOUT HEAST ASIAN NATIONS ) 
7. The mission of the IEC Asia-Pacific Regional Centre (IEC-APRC ), located in Singapore, is 
not only to promote awareness of the IEC in the region and to increase the use of IEC International Standards but also to enhance participation of all countries in the region in the Commission's work. In 
March, IEC-APRC and the IEC Affiliate Secretariat joined their efforts to provide training and 
guidance to Lao PDR and Cambodia, back to back with the 36
th ASEAN Consultative Committee for 
Standards and Quality (ACCSQ) held in Siem R eap, Cambodia, 14-18 March 2011.  On their way to 
Cambodia, they could meet with Lao PDR Standards and Quality divi sion stakeholders and encourage 
them to participate in IEC International Standa rdization activities via the IEC Affiliate Country 
Programme.  In Cambodia a special session was orga nized with the Institute of Standards of 
Cambodia (ISC) to help the country upgrade its st atus to Affiliate Plus. An update on IEC activities 
and its Affiliate Country Programme was presented to the ASEAN assembly and the member countries of the IEC were invited to bring their s upport and mentor the countries that are participating 
in the IEC Affiliate Country Programme.  More in IEC e-tech  May 2011
. 
D. CANENA (COUNCIL FOR HARMONIZATION OF ELEC TROTECHNICAL STANDARDS OF THE 
NATIONS OF THE AMERICAS ) 
8. Former IEC Vice-President addressed CANENA members during their annual meeting in San 
Antonio, Texas, USA, 2-3 March 2011. CANENA is not a standards developing organization but 
provides a forum for harmonization discussions amongs t its various organizations, manufacturers, 
conformity assessment bodies and individual participan ts that make up its membership. It was the 
opportunity for IEC to provide an update on some of the key topics and activities in international 
electrotechnical standardization such as energy effi ciency, smart electrification and to present extracts 
of the IEC Global Visions series of videos where CE Os of leading companies share their conviction, 
both financially and tec hnically, as to benefits of being a part of the process.  More in IEC e-tech  April 
2011.  
E. COPANT (PAN AMERICAN STANDARDS COMMISSION ) 
9. IEC participated in COPANT 2011 General As sembly, Santiago de Chile, Chile, 12-13 May 
2011. The IEC Vice-President and also Chairman of  IEC SMB (Standardization Management Board) 
gave all delegates an update on IE C International Standardization activities whereas the IEC General 
Secretary presented IEC new Masterplan.  COPANT is an official partner of the IEC, all COPANT members being involved with the IEC either as Memb ers (8) or Affiliates (17). Since April, IEC is 
offering COPANT countries its Collaboration Tools Suite  to enable IEC experts to share information 
and standardization work through an easy online tool  and to encourage IEC Affiliates to join in the 
development of International Sta ndards. Functionalities include, am ongst others, file upload and/or 
download, setting meetings and discussion forums.  After the testing period, virtual training sessions 
will start, managed by IEC and the COPANT Secretariat.  
More in IEC e-tech June 2011. 
10. The role of IEC Regional Centre for Latin America  (IEC-LARC) , located in São Paulo, Brazil, 
is to coordinate and organize training events, semi nars and workshops that match the needs of the 
region. Since our last report, a workshop on conf ormity assessment was he ld in Chile where the 
Argentinean IEC National Committee shared its e xperience on IEC Conformity Assessment Systems, 
in particular IECEE. In the coming months, virt ual workshops will be organized with the Andean 
Community and the COMCCANOR countries. 
F. PASC (PACIFIC AREA STANDARDS CONGRESS ) 
11. IEC attended PASC 34th meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, 31 March-2 April 2011, represented 
by its Asia-Pacific Regional Office (IEC-APRC). Energy efficiency, electric vehicles and home G/TBT/GEN/118 
Page 4  
 
  energy management systems were high on the agenda. Since nearly all of the 24 PASC members were 
present, they were able to exchange information about some of the key issues affecting the region 
while learning more about the IEC International St andardization matters of the previous year.  
Discussions covered major energy efficiency issu es such as EVs (electric vehicles) and the Smart 
Grid, and PASC members were able to hear about  some of the IEC initiatives of the previous 12 
months. These included the IEC White Paper, "C oping with the energy challenge".  More in IEC e-
tech May 2011.
 
III. IEC AND CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT 
12. 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. The IEC CA Systems – IECEE, IECEx and 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 appropriate, one mark valid in all markets. 
A. 
SURVEY ON CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT A SPECTS ON ELECTRICAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY (E3) IN 
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES  
13. During its meeting held during the IEC 74th General Meeting in Seattle, USA, the IEC CAB 
(Conformity Assessment Board) decided to request IEC Affiliate Countries to provide information on 
their existing or expected electrical energy efficiency (E3) conformity assessment. E3 is a key issue in 
developing countries, so is conformity assessment, a nd their feedback is therefore crucial for the IEC 
to map out the conformity assessment aspects of  electrical energy efficiency regarding the 
requirements and obligations of electrotechnical ma terial, components, products, systems and services 
in various parts of the world, in particular in de veloping countries. 42 countries replied to the survey 
and CAB is now analyzing their feedback in order to come up with solutions to meet their needs. 
14. IECEE  covers safety and performance for a wide  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 di fferences have been taken into account. As a result, 
approval and certification at the nati onal level are greatly facilitated. 
B. IECEE AT FOREFRONT IN CERTIFICAT ION OF PORTABLE ELECTRIC TOOLS  
15. Electrical lawnmowers, hedge trimmers and cutters, shears or saws may be much easier to 
handle than the older tools they have replaced.  Th ese electrical tools are extremely powerful and need 
to be handled with the utmost caution to avoid accide nts and injuries.  The safety aspect is thus very 
important. 
16. Electrical hand-held tool manufacturers have at their disposal a vast array of standards and 
specifications for the design and production of these de vices.  The IEC, in particular through its TC 
116: Safety of motor-operated electric tools, has pub lished two series of International Standards that 
cover specific safety requirements in that field: IEC 60745 and IEC 61029. 
17. Having these tools designed and manufactured ac cording to IEC International Standards is 
just the first step. Manufacturers then need to prove that their products are indeed conforming to these 
standards. Again, the IEC has the solution, through IECEE, the IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotec hnical Equipment and Components.  G/TBT/GEN/118 
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  18. The IECEE CB Scheme, through its registered CBTLs (Certification Body Testing 
Laboratories) and NCBs (National Certification B odies), can test and certify all electrical hand-held 
tools manufactured against the IEC series of International Standards listed above. 
19. The IECEE CB Scheme provides the assurance th at tested and certified products meet the 
strictest safety, reliability and performance as per th e requirements of the relevant IEC International 
Standards. It helps reduce costs and time to market , eliminates duplicate or multiple testing and offers 
a high level of confidence for manufacturers, retailers and consumers alike. 
20. When the manufacturer needs a follow up factor y inspection, IECEE can also provide this 
service through the IECEE CB-FCS Scheme that in a ddition to the Type Test of the product also 
offers Factory Surveillance with sampling and re-tes ting service to ensure that the whole production is 
under control with respect to the initial assessment of the product and the assembly line.  More in IEC 
e-tech  May 2011. 
C. IEC AND IECEE ACTIVITIES PRESENTED AT APEC MEETING IN WASHINGTON DC , USA 
21. IECEE Executive Secretary was invited by the US State Department for Commerce and 
APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) SCSC  (Subcommittee on Standa rds and Conformance) 
to participate in the 6th Conference on GRP (Good Regulatory Pr actice) on 1-2 March 2011.  The two-
day event brought together government and private sector officials from the 21 APEC member countries and representatives for international organi zations.  The discussions emphasized the need to 
develop practical guidance on how to choose and design efficient and effective mechanisms to 
strengthen the implementation of the WTO TBT Agreem ent.  The conference also served to reinforce 
the technical understanding and implementation of  good regulatory practices in APEC economies by 
engaging regulators and stakeholders in discussi ons on how to best promote transparency and 
cooperation in rulemaking. 
22. This was a good opportunity for the IEC to  explain its consensus-based standards 
development process, the 100 % electronic environmen t available for all IEC technical experts, and 
the national adoption of IEC International Standard s by all IEC Members and many of the countries 
participating in the IEC Affiliate Country Programme. In a session on Conformity Assessment 
Practices to Support Better Regulatory Outcomes IECEE presented its activities, how the CB and 
FCS Schemes work as well as a case study on Austra lia where PV (photovoltaic) modules sold and 
installed in the country must be tested and certifie d to the relevant IEC International Standards by a 
laboratory accepted by IECEE.  More in IEC e-tech  May 2011
. 
23. IECQ  ensures the safety and reliability of electr onic 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. IE CQ is used as a "Business to Business" supply 
chain management tool. 
D. IECQ DEMAND FROM AEROSPACE INDUSTRY  
24. While IECQ operates the Avionics ECMP (Electronic Component Management Plan) 
Certification Scheme, used by aircraft manufactur ers such as Boeing and Airbus as part of their 
procurement management system, demand from aviati on industries is resulting in IECQ incorporating 
the needs of the aerospace industries to address: 
- ECMP (existing IECQ Scheme) 
- Lead Free qualification 
- Counterfeit Parts G/TBT/GEN/118 
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  25. Lead Free and Counterfeit Parts programmes are seen by the aerospace industry as a 
necessary extension to the range of IECQ existing services such as: 
- IECQ HSPM for Hazardous Substances Process Management 
- IECQ Approved Components 
- IECQ Approved Processes 
26. While initial interest and demand for these IE CQ aerospace programmes have come from 
USA and the UK, interest is also coming from China and Brazil.  More in IEC e-tech  April 2011
. 
27. IECEx  covers the highly specialized field of expl osion 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 
safety. 
E. IECEX CERTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL COMPETENCE SCHEME (IECE X COPC) 
28. Included in the last report was information concerning the newly launched IECEx CoPC 
(Certification of Personnel Competence) Scheme.  Si nce its launch late last year, there are now 10 
International IECEx CoPC Certificates issued w ith many more coming. IECEx CoPC Certificates are 
available for full public viewing at:   
http://iecex.iec.ch/iecex/iecexcertper sons.nsf/Certificates?OpenView . 
29. One of the key features of this Scheme is that CoPC Certificates issued by all certifiers are 
located at the one place, the IECEx website, with ea ch Certificate displaying a colour photograph of 
the person covered by the certificate as a clear identification of who is certified. 
30. This new IECEx CoPC Scheme provides regulator s, plant owners and those responsible for 
safety and compliance of Ex installations, such as o il and gas, grain handling, etc., with an instant 
means of confirming the competence of individu als to apply Ex related work according to IEC 
International Standards. 
F. IECEX UNIT VERIFICATION FOR SPECIAL OR UNIQUE EX EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS EXTENDS 
THE RANGE OF IECEX CERTIFICATIONS  
31. As reported in IEC previous report to WT O, IECEx has launched the new IECEx Unit 
Verification Certificate, as means of covering " one-off" pieces of Ex related equipment and systems 
with a dedicated type of certificate. Since our Ma rch report, the first round of these certificates has 
been issued and covers items such as simple one -off items through to portable plant assemblies and 
specialized installations. 
This now brings the total types of IECEx Certificates to six as follows: 
- IECEx Equipment + Systems Certificates 
- IECEx Component Certificates 
- IECEx Unit Verification Certificates 
- IECEx Mark Licensing Certificates 
- IECEx Service Facility Certificates 
- IECEx Certified Persons Certificates 
More in IEC e-tech  May 2011  G/TBT/GEN/118 
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  G. OFFICIAL UN ENDORSEMENT OF IECEX VIA THE UNECE  
32. Further to our report, the UNECE decision to  endorse use of IEC TC 31 International 
Standards and IECEx Certification as world’s Best Practice and recommended basis for national regulations has now been formalized with the re lease of a new UN Publication, UNECE CRO. Copies 
of this new UN Publication may be obtained from the UNECE or the IECEx Secretariat.  More in IEC 
e-tech  May 2011. 
H. 
WORKSHOP ON EX CERTIFICATION OF PERS ONNEL COMPETENCE FOR INDUSTRIALIZING 
COUNTRIES  
33. The explosion that caused an oil spill from an offshore drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico 
demonstrated the need for extremely strict safet y measures for equipment but also competence of 
personnel in such environments.  This work shop to be held during the forthcoming 75th IEC General 
Meeting, Melbourne, Australia, will provide a practical approach to online certificates and 
international certification of personnel competen ce to ensure safety in Ex environment.  See 
programme in annex, with the presentation of a case study from the IECEx focal point in Brunei 
Darussalam. 
IV. IEC AFFILIATE COUNTRY PROGRAMME 
34. The IEC Affiliate Country Programme is 10 year s old and has evolved considerably since its 
launch in 2001. During the last five years, under the leadership of Carlos Rodríguez, Costa Rica, the 
Programme has taken a huge step by involving 16 new countries, of which five from Latin America. 
3500 IEC International Standards have been adopt ed for national use in 36 developing countries, 
therefore complying with the WTO TBT Agreement.  The previous leader had set as a priority to 
encourage the establishment of NECs (National El ectrotechnical Committees) in Affiliate Countries, 
providing the necessary infrastructure to use a nd benefit fully from the IEC Affiliate Country 
Programme. We are now happy to report that 29 co untries have already achieved this goal. In 2009, 
upon his request, the IEC offered a new status to developing countries already fully using the 
Programme, and today 12 have met the cr iteria to be upgraded Affiliate Plus. 
35. It is now time for the IEC to focus on other regions where Affiliate Countries need support 
and guidance. Phuntsho Wangdi, Director of th e Bhutan Standards Bureau, has accepted IEC’s 
nomination to take over from Carlos Rodríguez – who will remain active by coordinating the 
participation of IEC Affiliates in Latin America,  in close collaboration with IEC Regional Centre, 
IEC-LARC.  As the new Affiliate Leader as pe r 2011-06-01, Phuntsho Wang di will bring new ideas 
and should help IEC increase the participation of its  Affiliates in the Asia and Asia Pacific region, 
through sharing the experience of his newly born standards organization. 
36. During the forthcoming IEC General Meeting, he will conduct the Affiliate delegation and 
represent all 81 Affiliate Countries at IEC Management meetings.  Of course, he will be assisted in his 
new role by the previous Leader, and the IEC A ffiliate Coordinator for Africa, Ms Evah Oduor. 
A. DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AT FORTHCOM ING IEC GENERAL MEETING IN MELBOURNE , 
AUSTRALIA  
37. IEC will hold its 75th General Meeting 24-28 October 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. 
Delegates from developing and industr ializing countries will have the opp ortunity to attend technical 
meetings, workshops and events such as the Aff iliate Forum or the Workshop for Industrializing 
Countries on the International Certification of Pe rsonnel Competence in hazardous environment (see 
programme in annex).  Under the terms of th e IEC Affiliate Country Programme, developing 
countries have already registered to attend the 75th IEC General Meeting and their representatives will G/TBT/GEN/118 
Page 8  
 
  be able to attend technical meetings of their c hoice as observers – some 50 IEC Technical Committees 
and their Subcommittees are expected to meet in  Melbourne.  For its Members, IEC is holding 
separate Forums for the Presidents and Secretar ies of its National Committees, a workshop for 
Technical Committee and Subcommittee Officers  and, for the second time in a row, a Young 
Professionals workshop. 
38. The IEC will be happy to invite developing c ountries from the Asia-Pacific region to join its 
free Affiliate Country Programme and to attend IEC 75
th annual meeting in Australia.  For more 
information see http://www.iec2011.org/ . 
 
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