NISTIR 6492 

A Review of U.S. Participation in the 

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 

and the International Electrotechnical Commission

(IEC)

Christine R. DeVaux

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Technology Administration

National Institute of Standards and 

Technology

Office of Standards Services

Gaithersburg, MD 20899
NISTIR 6492 

A Review of U.S. Participation in the 

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 

and the International Electrotechnical Commission

(IEC)

Christine R. DeVaux

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Technology Administration

National Institute of Standards and 

Technology

Office of Standards Services

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

February, 2000

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

William M. Daley, Secretary

TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION

Cheryl L. Shavers, Under Secretary for Technology

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND

TECHNOLOGY

Raymond Kammer, Director
iii

Abstract

This report describes the role of international standards, their importance in world trade, and the

extent of U.S. participation in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) over the 32 year period from 1966 to 1998. To the

extent possible, a comparison of U.S. exports with U.S. participation in the ISO and IEC is provided.

Mention is also made of the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.

Key Words: Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade; American National Standards Institute

(ANSI); IEC; ISO; international standards; participation; trade; and, United States National

Committee (USNC).
iv
v

Table of Contents

Page

Abstract .................................................................. iii

List of Figures ............................................................. vii

1. Introduction .......................................................... 1

2. Background of the Study ................................................ 2

2.1 NIST’s Responsibilities Regarding Representation of U.S. Interests in International 

Standards Organizations ................................................. 3

3. Role of Standards at the International Level .................................. 4

3.1 Impacts of Trade ...................................................... 4

3.2 The Politics of International Standardization ................................. 5

4. Trends in U.S. International Trade ......................................... 5

5. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International

Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) ........................................ 6

5.1 Historical Perspective ................................................... 6

5.2 The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) ........................ 7

5.2.1 Development of an ISO Standard .......................................... 9

5.3 The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) .......................... 9

5.3.1 Development of an IEC Standard ......................................... 10

5.4 Relationship between the ISO and the IEC .................................. 10

5.5 Official Languages .................................................... 11

6. World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade ....... 11

6.1 Code of Good Practice for the Adoption, Application and Preparation of Standards . . 12

7. U.S. Member Bodies in the ISO and the IEC ................................ 12

7.1 U.S. Participation in the ISO ............................................ 13

7.2 U.S. Participation in the IEC ............................................ 16

8. Comparison of Trade Data with U.S. Participation in the ISO and the IEC .......... 19

9. Findings of the Report ................................................. 21

10. Conclusions ......................................................... 24

11. Appendix ........................................................... 26
vi

12. Endnotes ........................................................... 67

13. Bibliography ........................................................ 69
vii

List of Figures

Page

Figure 1 Percentage of Secretariats held by the United States in the ISO ............. 15

Figure 2 Percentage of ISO TC, SC, and WG Secretariats held by Selected Countries: 

1966-1998 .................................................... 16

Figure 3 Percentage of IEC TC and SC Secretariats Held by Selected Countries: 

1966-1998 .................................................... 19

Figure 4 Comparison of Trade Data with U.S. Participation in the ISO and the IEC .... 20
1

1. Introduction

In 1964, J. Herbert Hollomon, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Science and Technology,

addressed an International Panel on Global Standardization. His words still resonate today. 

“American industry’s lack of participation in helping chart the future course of global

standardization may be costing the nation valuable trade dollars that otherwise might

wipe out the balance of payments problem. For a leading industrial nation to refrain from

participating in global standards work is to state to the rest of the world that either we

don’t think the items involved are important, or we think we have a design or production

method which is superior to everyone else’s. We know that neither of these statements is

universally true. If we do not become more sensitive to trends and if we are not able to

respond quickly, we are inviting serious problems for our economy.”1

Since 1964, the United States has become increasingly dependent on international trade but has

suffered in terms of trade balance. This has an adverse impact not only on U.S. industry but also

on U.S. competitiveness and on the U.S. position in the global market.

Although there are many reasons for the decline of the trade balance, the need to improve U.S.

involvement in international standardization activities is as significant today as it was in 1964. 

Several recent activities and reports have addressed these concerns and have emphasized the

importance of U.S. participation in international standardization activities. 

The 1997 Trade Policy Agenda states that one of the Administration’s major objectives is the

support of the World Trade Organization and implementation of its agreements.2 One of those

is the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, which establishes the idea that technical

regulations, conformity assessment procedures, and standards should be applied on a nondiscriminatory basis and should be based on international standards and guidelines when

appropriate. The objective of this Agreement is to deter the use of these measures as barriers to

trade.

There are many efforts to encourage U.S. industry to more actively participate in international

standardization activities. In the 1996 National Export Strategy, one of five major

recommendations in the area of standards is to “emphasize technical assistance programs as a

basis for long term internationalization of standards and harmonization efforts.”3 There are also

efforts to promote compatible systems and participation of other countries in these international

activities. Congress requested the National Research Council to study the U.S. standards and

conformity assessment structure and to produce a report with recommendations on ways in which

the United States could strengthen its system, increase trade, and improve the domestic economy. 

Published in 1995, the report made a total of 10 recommendations, noting that the future strength

of the United States in the global economy will depend on “innovative methods to promote

goods and services overseas. The U.S. Government must also continue to exercise leadership in

the international community by aggressively removing the remaining barriers to trade”.4 
2

An earlier NIST (then NBS-National Bureau of Standards) report described the results of a study

to assess the benefits of participation in international standards activities. The results suggested

that industry participation in international standards activities is an effective means of increasing

trade. Intangible benefits, such as enhanced markets and economies of scale, are also substantial

and can be achieved through continued industry representation in appropriate international

groups.5

More recently, members of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) have come

together in a series of meetings and workshops with the goal of creating a national standards

strategy. The objective of the strategy is to improve the U.S. contribution to global

standardization. Discussion regarding the different components of the strategy is currently

underway among ANSI members.

This report presents historical information on the extent of U.S. participation and leadership roles

in two private sector international standardization bodies, perspectives on the organizations

involved, the present role of international standards in world trade, and the correlation between

the U.S. position in international standardization activities and in world trade.

2. Background of the Study

This publication serves as an update to the original NBSIR 88-3698, A Review of U.S.

Participation in International Standards Activities. It focuses on U.S. participation in

technical committees and sub-committees within two private sector international standards

development organizations, namely the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and

the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Due to the volume of information

involved, this publication does not address U.S. participation in any of the other activities within

each of these organizations (e.g., the Committee on Conformity Assessment and the Committee

on Consumer Policy in the ISO, conformity assessment schemes in the IEC). Specific mention is

also made of the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.

U.S. participation in private sector international standardization activities is voluntary. Direct

involvement and payment of the associated expenses depend upon the perceived interests of the

industries that may be affected by resultant standards. Consequently, some U.S. companies and

industries have been very active in international standards-making committees, while others have

not participated at all. The objective of this study was to collect, analyze and present data that

might summarize the extent of past and present U.S. participation in the activities of the

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical

Commission (IEC) over the 32-year period from 1966-1998, and to compare that data with

export product groupings to identify any correlations. This information was developed to help

readers assess how U.S. involvement and future leadership activities should perhaps be modified

to reflect the nation’s productive capacity and market size and to strengthen the U.S. position in

the world economy.
3

The following sections describe various NIST responsibilities, the significance of international

standards in world trade, background on the ISO and the IEC, and how the United States is

represented in those bodies. Separate sections briefly describe the World Trade Organization

(WTO) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade and Annex 3 of that Agreement, the Code of

Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards. A review of U.S.

participation levels in ISO and IEC over the 32-year period from 1966 to 1998 is provided,

followed by a comparison of U.S. exports with U.S. participation in the ISO and IEC. 

2.1 NIST’s Responsibilities Regarding Representation of U.S. Interests in International

Standards Organizations

Title IV, Section 413 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. 2531-2573), P.L. 96-39,

authorized the implementation of all agreements negotiated during the General Agreement on

Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Tokyo Round, including those relating to non-tariff barriers. Section

413 of the Act directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Agriculture to ensure that they are kept

informed of the adequacy of representation in international standards-related activities, to

identify any activities that might substantially affect the commerce of the United States, and to

coordinate with the Special Representative (the Office of the United States Trade Representative,

USTR) with respect to international standards-related activities. USTR is responsible for

coordinating U.S. discussions and negotiations with other countries with respect to standardsrelated activities.

Title IV also specifies that the United States should be represented in non-treaty or private

international standards organizations (e.g., ISO and IEC) by a recognized “organization

member.” Responsibility rests with the Secretaries of Commerce and Agriculture to determine

and ensure that U.S. interests are being adequately represented and that U.S. commerce is not

adversely affected by that “organization member’s” participation in private international

standards organizations. There are no guidelines or definitions given for what is deemed to be

adequate representation of U.S. interests.6 The American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

serves as the U.S. member body to the ISO and, through its U.S. National Committee, to the IEC. 

Within NIST, Technology Services’s Office of Standards Services is responsible for carrying out

several Title IV functions. These include maintaining an inquiry point on standards, conformity

assessment, and technical regulations, and monitoring the adequacy of U.S. representation in

private international standards activities, particularly with regard to the potential impact on

international trade. The 1994 revision of the Trade Agreements Act (P.L. 103-465), also entitled

the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, did not amend these responsibilities.7

In addition to its responsibilities under the Trade Agreements Act, NIST serves as a coordinator

of standards-related activities within the federal government. Under OMB Circular A-119,

which serves as implementation guidance for the National Technology Transfer and

Advancement Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-113), NIST is directed to: 

C coordinate and foster executive branch implementation of the Act and, as appropriate,
4

provide administrative guidance to assist agencies in implementing the Act, including

guidance on identifying voluntary consensus standards bodies and voluntary consensus

standards; 

C sponsor, chair and support the Interagency Committee on Standards Policy (ICSP), which

considers agency views and advises agency heads on the Act; 

C report to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) concerning the

implementation of the policy provisions of the Act; 

C establish procedures for agencies to use when developing directories and establish

procedures to make these directories available to the public; and, 

C issue guidance to other agencies to improve coordination on conformity assessment.8

To ensure a coordinated effort between the public and private sectors in both domestic and nontreaty international standards activities, NIST and ANSI signed a Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU). Revised and renewed in 1998, this MoU states that NIST and ANSI will

serve as links between private sector standards and conformity assessment interests and

government interests. The ultimate objective of this cooperative effort is to enhance and

strengthen the national voluntary consensus standards system of the United States while

supporting continued U.S. competitiveness and economic growth.9 Other government agencies,

U.S. standards developing organizations (SDOs), trade associations, and companies are members

of ANSI. Representatives of these organizations participate in various ANSI fora which are, in

part, responsible for determining ANSI policy and structure. These fora also serve as

mechanisms which facilitate discussion of current issues of interest. 

3. Role of Standards at the International Level

3.1 Impacts on Trade

Standards are more important today than ever before. In the international marketplace, standards

developed through voluntary processes are highly desirable because they represent a broad-based

consensus of all interested parties, including producers (exporters), users (importers),

governments, consumers, and academia. Nations that actively participate in developing

international standards may be able to influence the provisions to favor their own products or

those that they prefer for some reason. Since trading countries competing in the global

marketplace are inclined to be aggressive in exploiting every opportunity to favor these products

through the standards development process, it seems incumbent on the United States to

participate vigorously in international standardization activities if it intends to maintain existing

trade outlets and find new markets. In terms of economic development, market size, and access

to other markets, the United States ranks in the forefront among the world’s industrialized

nations. But in terms of trade balance, the United States has not kept pace with other developed

countries. The U.S. position has been eroded by many factors, including the rapid growth of the

U.S. economy relative to the growth of other economies, the strength of the U.S. dollar versus

other currencies, and financial crises in other countries.10 It is also possible that the U.S. position

in the world economy has been affected by other countries’ standards and conformity assessment
5

requirements.

3.2 The Politics of International Standardization

International trade has become an increasingly important factor in the growth of the world

economy. Nations are living in

“a world in which global trade between nations continues to grow at a rate 3 to 4 times

faster than national economies; a world in which the design, manufacturing, marketing,

and customer service operation of a growing majority of individual enterprises are

distributed across many countries; and a world in which electronic communications have

dramatically increased technical collaboration between experts in academia, governments,

and industries from all countries.”11

The objective of international standardization and related activities is to facilitate the exchange of

goods and services at the international level and to promote cooperation in the areas affected by

international standards. 

The negotiation and adoption of technical standards for all classes of products and services takes

on many roles in the global arena. These roles can lead to formation of economic and political

coalitions among nations and regions, market segmentation among major producers, and even

social change among different cultures. National and regional groups have competing interests,

and they can intervene or use regulations and standards for political purposes. This is

particularly true with respect to new technologies. Standards can be invoked to act as non-tariff

barriers, protecting one country’s industry or new technology from other countries. Differences

in technical standards can be effectively manipulated by governments to segment markets.

4. Trends in U.S. International Trade

International trade activity has grown steadily in importance to the U.S. economy since World

War II. The U.S. trade balance for goods and services was positive until approximately 1975. 

Negative balances have resulted since that time due to many factors, some of which were

mentioned earlier. During 1998, the U.S. goods trade balance deficit was $272.9 billion, an

increase from the 1997 deficit of $198 billion, while the balance of payments current account

deficit increased to $233.5 billion from a deficit of $155.2 million in 1997.12 

Most major U.S. trading partners have experienced slower rates of growth than that found in the

United States. Between 1993 and 1998, the United States grew at an average annual rate of 3.4

%. The next fastest growing economy in the G-7 countries over this same period was that of the

United Kingdom, whose growth rate averaged 3.0 % each year while other European OECD

economies averaged 2.5 % per year. Growth in Japan averaged less than 1 % a year during these

same years.13 
6

The United States continues to be the world’s largest international trader. However, the U.S.

share of total world merchandise exports has decreased markedly since 1960 when the U.S.

percentage of total world merchandise exports stood at 18%. By 1998, that percentage had

decreased to 12.6 %. Over that same period, the U.S. share of world merchandise imports

increased from 13.1 % in 1960 to 17.6 % in 1998.14 Chart 1 in the Appendix demonstrates the

changes in U.S. share of world merchandise exports and imports since 1960. Chart 2 depicts the

share of world merchandise exports and imports of other selected countries. At $944 billion,

U.S. imports were 202 % greater than those of Germany, the second largest importer, and 298 %

greater than those of the United Kingdom.

5. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International

Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)

5.1 Historical Perspective

International standardization started over 90 years ago in the electrotechnical field. While some

attempts were made in the 1930’s to develop international standards in other fields, it was not

until the 1940’s that significant efforts were devoted to development of international standards. 

During the 1950’s and 1960’s, international standardization activities were devoted almost

entirely to the development of international agreements on basic standards. These early efforts

addressed issues primarily related to international harmonization of such procedures and

requirements as interchangeability, vocabularies, and standards for units and symbols. In the

1960’s and 1970’s, greater emphasis was placed on using international standards in lieu of

national standards. Voluntary adoption of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)

Standards Code in 1979 reflected growing acceptance of the concept of relying on international

standards for all classes of finished products, materials, and services. In the 1980's and 1990's,

there was increasing recognition of the role that standards and standards-related issues play in

trade. As a result of the Uruguay Round talks, the WTO was established in 1995. One of the

Agreements under the WTO is the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement). 

As of November, 1999, the WTO had 135 members, all of which are responsible for adhering to

the provisions of the TBT Agreement. 

The best known private sector standards development organizations operating in the international

arena are the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International

Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Together, they form the world’s largest non-governmental

forum for voluntary industrial and technical collaboration at the international level. A third large

standards development organization is the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a

treaty organization which develops Recommendations in the area of telecommunications

standardization. U.S. participation in the ITU is coordinated by the U.S. State Department. 

More information on the ITU can be found on the ITU homepage at: http://www.itu.int. 

5.2 The International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
7

The International Federation of the National Standardizing Associations (ISA) was established in

1926 to coordinate international mechanical engineering standardization activities. In 1947, the

ISA was replaced by the ISO. The mission of the current ISO is “to promote the development of

standardization and related activities in the world with a view to facilitating the international

exchange of goods and services, and to developing cooperation in the spheres of intellectual,

scientific, technological and economic activity.”15 The first ISO standard was published in 1951. 

Upon its establishment in 1947, ISO membership consisted of 27 national standards bodies; at

present, the ISO is comprised of standards bodies from over 130 countries, of which 90 are

participating member bodies, 36 are correspondent members, and 7 are subscriber members.16

Correspondent members do not participate in technical work and do not have voting rights, but

are allowed to attend meetings as observers. Subscriber members are countries which pay

reduced membership fees for the same privileges as correspondent members. Table 1 in the

Appendix lists current members of the ISO. 

The scope of ISO work extends over all fields except electrical and electronic standards, which

are the responsibility of the IEC. The wide variety of subjects addressed by the ISO ranges from

screw threads to solar energy. As of December 1998, work in the ISO was carried out through

some 2,859 technical bodies: 186 Technical Committees (TC’s), 576 Subcommittees (SC’s),

2,057 Working Groups, and 40 Ad Hoc Study groups. At that time, 11,950 ISO standards and 37

ISO/IEC Guides had been published. In addition, 695 new work items were registered in 1998,

most originating in the sectors of engineering technologies, electronics, information technology

and telecommunications, and materials technologies.17 Table 2 in the Appendix details the title,

number designation, and year of establishment for each ISO Technical Committee. 

More than 75 % of the ISO member bodies are governmental institutions or organizations

incorporated by public law. The remainder are non-governmental standards organizations. 

ANSI, the U.S. member body to ISO, is one of the few private sector member bodies, and the

United States is currently one of the few major industrialized nations that does not have a

governmental institution serve as its ISO member body. Under the ANSI-NIST MoU, ANSI

serves as the recognized U.S. member body to the International Organization for Standardization

(ISO), and, through the U.S. National Committee, to the International Electrotechnical

Commission (IEC). 

With regard to budgets, sources of financial support and functional responsibilities, the national

member bodies differ significantly. Annual budgets of ISO member bodies range from less than 

1 million Swiss francs (approximately $ .6 million) to more than 20 million Swiss francs

(approximately $ 12 million). More than 50% of ISO member bodies, including those in Japan,

Mexico, South Korea and most of the Eastern European countries, depend entirely or almost

entirely on government grants as their main source of revenue. In contrast, in Canada and many

countries in Western Europe and South America, ISO member bodies receive a portion of

financial support from the central government, ranging from 3 % to 97 %. The remainder of

these bodies’ funding originates with subscriptions and sales of publications and certification

fees, among other activities.18 ANSI, the U.S. member body, does not receive direct government
8

funding for its standardization activities although some U.S. Government agencies pay ANSI

dues and participate in standards development activities. In addition to membership fees, ANSI’s

other primary sources of funding include publication sales and donations. While travel and other

expenses for delegates from other countries to the ISO are often paid by governmental

institutions or organizations incorporated by national law (e.g., BSI in the United Kingdom, or

AFNOR in France), ANSI does not pay such expenses for U.S. delegates to attend ISO

committee meetings. 

Traditionally, the level of industrialization, the political and legal system, and other factors shape

national standardization policies and activities. These also account in part for the marked

differences in the approach, organizational settings, and responsibilities of national standards

bodies from one country to another. For example, many ISO member bodies are responsible for

activities relating to metrology, but this activity is the responsibility of other institutions in other

countries. Similarly, certification and quality services may be primary tasks for some national

standards bodies, but not others.19 Table 5 in the Appendix compares information on budgets,

resources, and responsibilities for the United States and the top 10 U.S. trading partners which

have ISO member bodies.

The operational costs of the ISO itself are estimated at 150 million Swiss francs per year. The

Central Secretariat is financed by TC and SC Secretariat fees (80 %) and revenues from

subscriptions and other publications (20 %). Annual membership fees are calculated based on

approximately 50 % of a member country’s gross national product and 50 % of that country’s

trade volume. Each member is also responsible for the costs associated with the individual

Technical Committee and Sub-Committee secretariats they hold. 

The ISO Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland coordinates ISO operations, administers

voting and approval procedures, and publishes international standards.

Any member body that wishes to participate in the work of any of the 186 Technical Committees

may do so without incurring any additional fees. Member organizations which decide to take an

active part in the work of a Technical Committee or Sub-Committee are known as “P”

(participating) members of that committee or sub-committee, meaning that they have an

obligation and right to participate in meetings and to vote. One of the P members is designated

to act as the secretariat of the Technical Committee or Sub-Committee. Those nations that wish

only to be kept informed of ongoing work are called “O” (observer) members. They have the

right to attend meetings as observers, but not to vote. A request to study a technical subject may

be initiated by one or more member bodies or by an organization outside the ISO. If at least five

members are willing to participate actively, a new technical committee will be formed. 

5.2.1 Development of an ISO Standard

There are six steps in the standards development process within the ISO. The process

description, based on the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1, can be found in Table 6 in the Appendix.20
9

5.3 The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the IEC was established in 1906. The present IEC is composed of 

49 National Committees (NC) whose countries collectively represent some 71 % of the world’s

population, 78 % of total electric energy production, and 87 % of total electric energy

consumption.21 The objective of the IEC is to promote international cooperation on all questions

of standardization in the fields of electrical and electronic engineering. Each National

Committee is required to be as representative as possible of all electrical-related interests in its

country including manufacturers, users, governmental authorities, and educational and

professional bodies. Many NCs receive a large amount of support from industry; many are

recognized and financially supported by their governments.

In addition to the 49 National Committee members, there are 6 Associate members and 5 PreAssociate members. Associate members do not participate in technical work and do not have

voting rights, but are allowed to attend meetings as observers. The IEC also offers a 

Pre-Associate membership which provides countries with support from the IEC Central Office or

any neighboring full member National Committee to form a national electrotechnical committee. 

The aim of Pre-Associate membership is to enable national standardization bodies to become

familiar with electrotechnical standardization at the international level with the goal of applying

for Associate Membership within five years and eventually establishing a National Committee. 

Table 1 in the Appendix lists current members of the IEC.

The work of the IEC is currently carried out by 90 Technical Committees (TC), 95 SubCommittees (SC), and close to seven hundred working groups. The committees currently span a

wide range of electrotechnical sectors and were responsible for developing over 4000 standards

by the end of 1998. In addition, 261 New Work Item Proposals were registered and 379

standards were published in 1998, primarily in the areas of: safety, household and similar

equipment (20 %); measurement, control and general testing (18 %); electronic components and

sub-assemblies (16 %); and telecommunication, electronic systems and equipment (13 %).22

Table 4 in the Appendix lists the title, number designation, and year of establishment of each IEC

Technical Committee. 

Budget data, sources of financial support and functional responsibilities for most National

Committees (NC) is not available. However, similar to many ISO member bodies, many NCs

depend partially or fully on government support. In addition, the majority of their revenue is

typically derived from sales of publications and membership fees. 

The operational costs of the IEC are estimated at 19.5 million Swiss francs per year ($ 11.7

million). The Central Office is primarily financed by revenues from subscriptions and other

publications (82 %) and royalties and certification fees (16 %). Annual membership fees are

calculated based 50 % on a member’s gross national product and 50 % on that member’s

electricity consumption. Each member is also responsible for the costs associated with the
10

individual Technical Committee and Sub-Committee secretariats they hold.23

The IEC Central Office in Geneva, Switzerland helps to coordinate IEC operations, administer

voting and approval procedures, and publish international standards.

Similar to the ISO, IEC NCs which participate in a TC or an SC are “P” members, and NCs

which want to be kept informed of ongoing work are “O” members. 

5.3.1 Development of an IEC Standard

IEC standards are developed in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1; the development

process is outlined in Table 6 in the Appendix.

5.4 Relationship between the ISO and the IEC

The ISO and the IEC have a formal agreement in place which establishes a non-duplicative and

cooperative relationship between the two organizations. In accordance with this agreement, the

two organizations complement each other in the field of international standardization. The IEC

is responsible for issues relating to international standardization in the electrical and electronic

engineering fields, while other areas are the responsibility of the ISO. In areas which do not

relate to a particular technology, the ISO assumes responsibility for the work and ensures that any

electrotechnical issues which arise are addressed in consultation with the IEC. To facilitate this

coordination, the ISO and the IEC have established a Joint Presidents’ Coordination Group

(JPCG) and a Joint Technical Advisory Board (JTAB). Various liaisons have also been

established between individual ISO and IEC Technical Committees and one Joint Technical

Committee (JTC 1) has been established in the area of information technology. These

cooperative efforts help ensure non-duplication while maximizing efficiency.24

The ISO and IEC have significantly different structures and operational procedures due in part to

different historical developments and the normal segmenting of major engineering disciplines.

The two organizations also distribute tasks differently between the official staffs in Geneva and

the secretariats of technical committees and subcommittees. ISO committee secretariats do most

of their own work in terms of document dissemination, meeting minute preparation,

photocopying, etc. In contrast, IEC secretariats rely more on the Central Office staff in Geneva

for such support. In terms of membership, the IEC has fewer members than the ISO. Whereas

the IEC is essentially comprised of industrialized and newly industrialized countries, a number of

lesser developed countries belong to the ISO even though they do not often participate in

specialized technical work. Table 1 in the Appendix lists current members of the ISO and the

IEC.

5.5 Official Languages

The official languages of the ISO and the IEC are English, French, and Russian. Documents are
11

developed and distributed in both English and French. TC and SC meetings may be conducted in

both English and French, while WG meetings are generally not bilingual. The member body for

the Russian Federation provides all interpretation and translation into or from Russian.

6. World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade

The provisions of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) and of the

Code of Good Practice for the Adoption, Application and Preparation of Standards have

important implications for ISO and IEC member bodies. A summary of some of the key

provisions of the Agreement are provided below.

Specific provisions under the TBT Agreement pertain to technical regulations, standards,

conformity assessment practices, notification requirements, and standards developing bodies. In

the area of technical regulations and standards, the TBT Agreement states that members should:

C ensure national treatment of products, i.e., accord the same treatment to imported

products as that accorded to similar domestically-produced goods;

C accord the same treatment to all similar imported products, regardless of origin;

C ensure that any technical regulations and standards used to protect human, animal or plant

life or health or the environment are not more trade-restrictive than necessary;

C use, in part or in whole, relevant international standards as a basis for technical

regulations whenever possible;

C participate in relevant international standards bodies to develop and adopt appropriate

technical regulations and standards;

C recognize technical regulations of other members as equivalent provided these regulations

meet the objectives of their own regulations;

C emphasize product performance requirements rather than design or descriptive

requirements; and, 

C notify other members of proposed technical regulations and standards that might

significantly affect trade.

Conformity assessment provisions of the Agreement cover testing and certification programs, 

inspection, registration, laboratory accreditation and quality system registration. Specific

provisions encourage members to:

C ensure non-discrimination toward products;

C restrict the use of conformity assessment procedures which create unnecessary obstacles

to international trade;

C use international guides or recommendations pertaining to conformity with technical

regulations and standards issued by international standards developing bodies;

C participate in international standards bodies which develop conformity assessment guides

and recommendations with the goal of harmonizing conformity assessment procedures;

C notify other members of proposed conformity assessment procedures that might

significantly affect trade;

C recognize conformity assessment procedures of other members as equivalent provided
12

these procedures provide guarantees of health and safety equivalent with those of their

own procedures; and, 

C allow conformity assessment bodies located in territories of other Members to participate

in conformity assessment procedures under conditions no less favorable than those

accorded to bodies located within their territory or the territory of any other country.

In addition to the measures mentioned above, the TBT Agreement contains several other

important mechanisms aimed at facilitating international trade. Article 10 of the Agreement

requires each member to establish and maintain an enquiry point to be responsible for responding

to requests from other members pertaining to technical regulations, standards, and conformity

assessment procedures and notifying proposed governmental and state technical regulations,

standards and conformity assessment procedures which might significantly affect trade. The

enquiry point also disseminates information about proposed foreign regulations to interested

domestic parties. NIST provides the U.S. enquiry point for all activities except sanitary and

phytosanitary (SPS) activities; the U.S. Department of Agriculture is responsible for maintaining

the SPS enquiry point.

The Agreement text also incorporates special provisions for developing countries. Specifically,

the Agreement encourages developed country members to provide technical assistance to

developing country members in any or all of the areas covered by TBT Agreement provisions. 

The Agreement also states that in certain circumstances, developing members may be excused

from adhering to the provisions of the TBT due to developmental, financial, and trade needs. 

6.1 Code of Good Practice for the Adoption, Application and Preparation of Standards

Annex 3 of the TBT Agreement contains the Code of Good Practice for the Preparation,

Adoption, and Application of Standards. The Code is open to acceptance by any standardizing

body within the territory of a WTO Member and outlines general guidelines for the preparation

and use of standards. The Code encourages standards bodies to operate in a transparent manner,

ensure nondiscrimination toward imported products, and align national standards with

international standards whenever possible. Adoption of the Code is voluntary and more than 100

standards bodies currently adhere to the Code. In the United States, ANSI is a signatory to the

Code on behalf of approximately 250 of its 450 standards developing members. 

7. U.S. Member Bodies in the ISO and the IEC

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the United States National Committee

(USNC) of the International Electrotechnical Commission are the U.S. member bodies to the ISO

and the IEC, respectively; the USNC reports to the ANSI Board of Directors. ANSI was formed

in 1918 and evolved through many forms until it adopted its present form and name in 1969. 

ANSI is a private sector, non-profit federation with approximately 1400 members, including

government agencies, standards developing organizations, companies, consumers, and trade
13

associations interested in standards. ANSI was a founding member of the ISO and plays an

active role in its governance. ANSI is one of five permanent members of the governing ISO

Council, and one of four permanent members of ISO’s Technical Management Board. U.S.

participation, through the U.S. National Committee, is also strong in the IEC. Representatives of

the USNC sit on the IEC Council Board, the Committee of Action, and the Conformity

Assessment Board.

ANSI credentials U.S. delegates to the ISO and IEC and provides these delegates with: criteria

and procedures to guide them in their operations and in reaching consensus on positions relating

to international standards activities; advice from ANSI/USNC staff; communication on ISO/IEC

TC and SC matters on which ANSI/USNC need recommendations from the delegates; and

guidance on coordination between parallel national and international standards development. 

The U.S. delegates do not have official government standing in ISO and IEC deliberations, but

generally represent public interest views.

7.1 U.S. Participation in the ISO

ANSI coordinates U.S. participation in ISO Technical Committees and Sub-Committees through

technical advisory groups (TAGs). These TAGs are typically administered by trade associations,

technical or professional societies, or government agencies. A U.S. TAG’s primary purpose is to

develop and transmit, via ANSI, U.S. positions on activities and ballots of relevant ISO technical

committees. ANSI is responsible for establishing the TAG and often names a committee or

organization that maintains or is developing parallel domestic standards to serve as the TAG. 

ANSI then generally appoints the secretariat or sponsor of the national standards developing

group to serve as the TAG administrator. 

In 1966, the U.S. held secretariats for 10 (8.4 %) of the 118 ISO Technical Committees that

existed at that time. These secretariats were as follows:

TC 11 - Unification of Boiler Code (the United States still holds this Secretariat)

TC 28 - Petroleum Products (the United States still holds this Secretariat)

TC 36 - Cinematography (the United States still holds this Secretariat)

TC 42 - Photography (the United States still holds this Secretariat)

TC 61 - Plastics (the United States still holds this Secretariat)

TC 66 - Determination of Viscosity (this TC has been dissolved) 

TC 85 - Nuclear Energy (this Secretariat is now held by Germany)

TC 97 - Computers and Information Processing (this TC has been folded into JTC1, the

Secretariat of which is still held by the United States)

TC 104 - Freight Containers (the United States still holds this Secretariat)

TC 108 - Mechanical Vibration and Shock (the United States still holds this Secretariat)

By 1986, the United States held 16 (9.8 %) of the 164 ISO Technical Committees Secretariats. 

At that time, the United States still maintained the Secretariats for TC 11, TC 28, TC 36, TC 42,

TC 61, TC 97, TC 104 and TC 108. In addition, TC 66 had been dissolved and the United States
14

had gained the following TC Secretariats:

TC 20 - Aircraft and Space Vehicles (the United States still holds this Secretariat)

TC 31 - Tires, Rims, and Valves (the United States still holds this Secretariat)

TC 68 - Banking (the United States still holds this Secretariat)

TC 127 - Earthmoving Machinery (the United States still holds this Secretariat)

TC 131 - Fluid Power Systems (the United States still holds this Secretariat)

TC 153 - Valves (this Secretariat is currently vacant)

TC 161 - Control and Safety Devices for Non-industrial Gas-fired Appliances and

Systems (this Secretariat is now held by Germany)

TC 189 - Ceramic Tile (the United States still holds this Secretariat)

Also in 1986, the United States held the secretariats for 69 (10.6 %) of the 645 subcommittees

and was the convener of 212 (13.6 %) of the 1556 ISO Working Groups. Of the 2365 leadership

positions available in the ISO at that time, the United States held 297 or 12.6 % of them. In

addition, out of the 164 ISO Technical Committees in existence in 1986, the United States was

designated an active participant in 113 (68.8 %) TCs, an observer in 48 (29.2 %) TCs and was

not represented in three (1.8 %) TCs. U.S. delegates to the ISO in 1986 were drawn primarily

from private companies.25 

By 1998, the United States held the secretariats for 31 (16.8 %) of the 184 TCs, 110 (18.7 %) of

the 587 SCs, and 431 (21.3 %) of the 2,020 Working Groups. These figures include the Joint

Technical Committee (JTC) 1. When added together, the United States held 572 (20.5 %) of the

2791 leadership positions available in the ISO. The United States was designated as an active

participant in 136 (73.9 %) TCs and as an observer in 7 (3.8 %). The U.S. did not participate in

41 (22.2 %) ISO Technical Committees.26 Table 2 in the Appendix lists the status of U.S.

participation in current ISO Technical Committees. Table 3 in the Appendix lists the number of

TC, SC, and WG Secretariats held by ISO member bodies as of December, 1998. 

Since 1988, the United States has assumed the Secretariat of approximately 70 TCs and SCs. 

Some of the areas where the United States has assumed responsibility include: information

technology; fasteners; shipbuilding; steel; zinc; aircraft and space vehicles; equipment for fire

protection and fire fighting; textiles; machine tools; welding; building construction; gears;

materials; equipment and offshore structures for petroleum and natural gas industries; health

informatics; implants for surgery; and, refrigeration. For a complete list of ISO TC and SC

Secretariats assumed by theUnited States since 1988, please see Table 7 in the Appendix. Table

8 in the Appendix lists ISO TC and SC Secretariats which have been relinquished by the United

States since 1988. 

It should be noted that it is advantageous to hold a Secretariat, including the ability to incorporate
15

certain technologies into the standards, promoting development of standards that reflect domestic

interests, and ensuring that the United States is represented in international discussions. Figure 1

below demonstrates the progression in Secretariats held by the United States in the years 1982 to

1998. Figure 2 depicts the percentage of ISO Secretariats held by various countries from the

years 1966-1998. The percentage of ISO secretariats held by the United States has increased

since 1966. In terms of ISO secretariats held, the U.S. ranked third in 1966, holding about 9 %

of TC and SC Secretariats. This percentage remained constant when U.S. Working Group

convenorships were factored in. In 1986, the United States ranked fourth, with 10.5 % of ISO

TC and SC Secretariats (12.2 % including WG convenorships) and in 1998, the United States

ranked second at 18.3 %, behind Germany in terms of TC and SC Secretariats held but ranked

first, at 20.5 %, when WG convenorships were factored in.27

Figure 1. Percentage of Secretariats held by the United States in the ISO 

* Data for the year 1987 is not available 

Source: International Organization for Standardization. 1966-1998. ISO Memento. Geneva: ISO

Central Secretariat. 
16

Figure 2. Percentage of ISO TC, SC, and WG Secretariats held by Selected Countries: 1966-1998

Source: International Organization for Standardization. 1966-1998. ISO Memento. Geneva: ISO 

Central Secretariat

7.2 U.S. Participation in the IEC

The U.S. National Committee (USNC) of the IEC manages U.S. participation in the technical

work of the IEC. It takes part in the Commission’s entire technical program and holds

secretariats of approximately 31 technical committees and subcommittees. Among them are

committees that develop international standards in the areas of semiconductor devices, household

appliances, air-conditioning appliances, laser equipment, solar photovoltaic energy systems, fiber

optics systems, design automation, and electrical insulation systems, among others.

The USNC appoints a technical advisor (TA) and a technical advisory group (TAG) to develop

the U.S. viewpoint for each TC and SC. Technical advisors and TC/SC delegates are drawn

from U.S. professional societies, trade associations, companies, government agencies, and testing

laboratories concerned with the development of national electrotechnical standards. The

technical advisor develops the U.S. position on IEC committee matters by consulting with the

advisory group. The technical advisor is also responsible for ensuring the U.S. position is

presented to the appropriate IEC Technical Committee. 

ANSI provides secretariat services to the USNC, its Executive Committee, technical advisors,

and technical advisory groups. 
17

In 1966, the USNC held the secretariats of 7 (12.2 %) of the 57 TCs that existed and 5 (5.2 %) of

the 96 SCs that existed. This represents 7.8 % of the total TC and SC Secretariats in 1966. TC

Secretariats held by the USNC in 1966 are listed below, followed by SC Secretariats:

Technical Committee Secretariats held

TC 4 - Hydraulic turbines (this Secretariat is currently held by the Canadian NC)

TC 19 - Internal combustion engines (this TC no longer exists)

TC 25 - Quantities and units and their letter symbols (this Secretariat is currently held by

the Italian NC)

TC 37 - Surge arresters (this Secretariat is still held by the USNC)

TC 53 - Computers and information processing (this TC no longer exists)

TC 56 - Reliability and maintainability (this Secretariat is currently held by the United

Kingdom NC)

TC 58 - Methods of measurement of electrical properties of metallic materials (this TC no

longer exists)

Sub-Committee Secretariats held

SC 15B - Endurance tests (this SC no longer exists)

SC 31H - Apparatus for use in the presence of ignitable dust (this Secretariat is still held

by the USNC)

SC 46B - Waveguides and their accessories (this Secretariat is currently held by the

French NC)

SC 53B - Title Unknown (this SC no longer exists) 

SC 59A - Electric dishwashers (this Secretariat is currently held by the Spanish NC)

By 1986, the USNC held the secretariats for 13 (16.2 %) of the 80 TCs and 20 (16.2 %) of the

123 SCs then in existence. At that time, the USNC still maintained the TC and SC Secretariats

for TC 4, TC 25, TC 37, SC 15B, SC 31H, SC 46B, and SC 59A. In addition, TC 19, TC 53, TC

58, and SC 53B had been dissolved and TC 56 was no longer held by the USNC. By 1986, the

USNC had gained the following TC and SC Secretariats:

Technical Committee Secretariats gained

TC 5 - Steam turbines (this Secretariat is currently held by the United Kingdom NC)

TC 46 - Cables, wires and waveguides for telecommunications equipment (this

Secretariat is still held by the USNC)

TC 48 - Electromechanical components for electronic equipment (this Secretariat is still

held by the USNC)

TC 52 - Printed circuits (this Secretariat is still held by the USNC)

TC 61 - Safety of household and similar electrical appliances (this Secretariat is still held

by the USNC)

TC 72 - Automatic controls for household use (this Secretariat is still held by the USNC)

TC 74 - Safety of data processing equipment and office machines (this Secretariat is still

held by the USNC)

TC 76 - Laser equipment (this Secretariat is still held by the USNC)

TC 82 - Solar photovoltaic energy systems (this Secretariat is still held by the USNC)

TC 85 - Measuring equipment for basic electrical quantities (this Secretariat is currently
18

held by the Hungarian NC)

Sub-Committee Secretariats gained

SC 2J - Classification of insulation systems for rotating machinery (this SC has been

disbanded)

SC 12F - Equipment used in the mobile services (this SC no longer exists)

SC 22G - Semiconductor power converters for adjustable speed electric drive systems

(this Secretariat is still held by the USNC)

SC 31A - Flameproof enclosures (this Secretariat is still held by the USNC)

SC 46D - Connectors for r.f. cables (this Secretariat is still held by the USNC)

SC 48B - Connectors (this Secretariat is still held by the USNC)

SC 48C - Switches (this SC no longer exists)

SC 59H - Microwave appliances (this SC no longer exists)

SC 61B - Safety of household microwave ovens (this Secretariat is currently held by the

United Kingdom NC)

SC 61D - Appliances for air-conditioning for household and similar purposes (this

Secretariat is still held by the USNC)

SC 61G - Safety of projectors (this SC no longer exists)

SC 62D - Electromedical equipment (this Secretariat is still held by the USNC)

SC 65B - Elements of systems (this Secretariat is still held by the USNC)

SC 66B - Oscilloscopes (this SC no longer exists)

SC 66D - Analyzing equipment (this SC no longer exists)

CISPR/A - Radio interference measurements and statistical methods (this Secretariat is

still held by the USNC)

Of the 203 TC and SC Secretariat positions available in the IEC in 1986, the USNC held 33, or

16.2 %, of them. At that time, the USNC was designated an active participant in 140 (68.9 %)

TCs and SCs, an observer in 50 (24.6 %) TCs/SCs and was not represented in 13 (6.4 %)

TCs/SCs. U.S. delegates to the IEC in 1986 were drawn primarily from private companies (85

%) with the remainder from trade associations and government agencies.28 

Since 1986, the USNC has assumed the Secretariat of approximately 13 TCs and SCs. Some of

the areas where the USNC has assumed responsibility include: electrical apparatus for the

detection of flammable gases; semiconductor devices; fiber-optic systems and active devices;

and, electrical insulation systems. For a complete list of IEC TC and SC Secretariats assumed

by the USNC since 1986, please see Table 9 in the Appendix. Table 10 lists IEC TC and SC

Secretariats which have been relinquished by the USNC since 1986.

In 1998, the USNC held the secretariats for 14 (15.7 %) of the 89 TCs and 17 (17.9 %) of the 95

SCs. Information was not available on IEC Working Groups. In sum, the USNC held 31 (16.8

%) of the 184 TC and SC Secretariats available in the IEC. The USNC was designated as an

active participant in 77 (74.4 %) TCs and was not designated as an observer in any TC. The

USNC did not participate in 12 (24.4 %) ISO Technical Committees.29 Table 4 in the Appendix

lists the current title, number designation, Secretariat, and USNC participation status for all IEC
19

TCs. 

Figure 3 below depicts the percentage of total IEC TC and SC Secretariats held by various

countries from the years 1966-1998. The percentage of IEC secretariats held by the USNC has

increased since 1966. The percentage of IEC TC and SC Secretariats held by the USNC

increased from about 8 % in 1966 to 16 % in 1986. In 1966, the USNC ranked fourth behind the

NCs of the United Kingdom, France and Germany. In 1986, the USNC ranked second behind

the NC of France. By 1998, the USNC ranked first in terms of the percentage of TC and SC

secretariats held with approximately 16.8 % of all TC and SC secretariats.

Figu

re 3.

Perc

entage of IEC Secretariats Held by Selected Countries: 1966-1988

Sources: 1) Cooke, Patrick. 1988. A Review of U.S. Participation in International Standards 

Activities. Gaithersburg, MD.

2) United States National Committee (USNC). 1999. National Committee’s Status 

Participation in TC/SC Work. New York.

8. Comparison of Trade Data with U.S. Participation in the ISO and the IEC

This section provides a rough analysis of U.S. participation in the ISO and the IEC compared to

trade data obtained from the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce. 

This material is based upon a recent document compiled for input into the National Standards

Strategy discussions. The status of U.S. participation in corresponding ISO and IEC TCs whose
20

work relates directly or indirectly to each major product grouping was identified through ANSI. 

Unfortunately, the aggregation of trade data reports and product definitions make it extremely

difficult to exactly match export product groupings with ISO and IEC Technical Committee

activities. This is due to the fact that many committees concentrate on specific technical

disciplines, such as acoustics or air quality, rather than products. Also, due to the volume of data

involved, U.S. participation in ISO and IEC Sub-Committees could not be included. The data

compiled in Figure 4 below represent the best subjective matching of the percentages of TC

Secretariats held by the United States within the ISO and/or IEC Technical Committees whose

work directly or indirectly relates to a particular product group. The order of product groups

follows 1997 export ranking data obtained from the Department of Commerce. Table 11 in the

Appendix lists the ISO and IEC TCs which were included in the top five industries mentioned

below. 

Industry

(*Sub-industries included in

these categories are listed

immediately following this table)

Value of 1997

U.S. Exports in

each Industry

(in Billions of

US Dollars)

% of TC

Secretariats held

by U.S.

Country holding

largest % of TC

Secretariats/# of

Secretariats held

Industrial Machinery and

Equipment*

158.9 20 of 80 = 25 % United States/20

Chemicals and allied products* 158.8 0 of 5 = 0 % None 

Electronic and other electrical

equipment*

157.3 9 of 31 = 29 % United States/9

Motor vehicles and other

transportation equipment*

136.1 4 of 9 = 44 % United States/4

Fabricated metal products 99.3 1 of 5 = 20 % None

Printing and publishing 98.4 0 of 1 = 0 % Germany/1

Instruments and related

products*

55.9 5 of 28 = 17.8 % Germany/8

Paper and allied products 55.0 0 of 1 = 0 % Canada/1

Primary metal industries 53.2 0 of 12 = 0 % Germany/2,

France/2, and

Japan/2

Rubber and miscellaneous

plastics products*

52.0 1 of 1 = 100 % United States/1

Lumber and wood products 42.8 0 of 3 = 0 % None
21

Petroleum and coal products 35.2 1 of 2 = 50 % None

Stone, clay and glass products 33.7 2 of 6 = 33 % United States/2

and Germany/2

Apparel and other textile

products

28.4 0 of 4 = 0 % South Africa/2

Textile mill products 25.5 0 of 2 = 0 % United

Kingdom/2

Miscellaneous manufacturing

industries*

24.8 2 of 14 = 14 % Germany/4

Furniture and fixtures 22.1 0 of 2 = 0 % None

*Sub-Industries

Industrial Machinery and Equipment Sub-industries: computers and computer peripherals; electrical power systems; heating

and cooling equipment; pollution control equipment; oil and gas field machinery; construction equipment; security and safety

equipment; mining equipment; water resources equipment; food processing and packaging equipment; agricultural machinery

and equipment; pumps, valves and compressors; machine tools and metalworking equipment; general industrial equipment; and,

materials handling equipment.

Chemicals and Allied Products Sub-industries: industrial chemicals; drugs and pharmaceuticals; cosmetics and toiletries; and,

agricultural chemicals.

Electronic and other Electrical Equipment Sub-industries: electronic components; telecommunications equipment; airport and

ground support equipment; and, films, videos and other recordings.

Motor vehicles and other Transportation Equipment Sub-industries: aircraft and associated equipment; motor vehicle parts

and accessories; autos and light trucks 

Instruments and Related Products Sub-industries: laboratory and scientific instruments; electrical power systems; medical

equipment; defense equipment; process controls; electrical industry products test equipment 

Rubber and Miscellaneous Plastics Products Sub-industries: plastic materials and resins 

Miscellaneous Manufacturing Sub-industries: musical instruments and parts; sporting goods and recreational equipment; and,

giftware

Figure 4. Comparison of Trade Data with U.S. Participation in the ISO and the IEC

Source: Sector Map prepared for December 13-14, 1999 National Standards Strategy meeting.

ANSI and NIST staff. 11-25.

This compilation, although rough in many respects, indicates that U.S. representation and level of

effort do relate to trade value, favoring higher technology product groups over those in basic

product categories. The overall percentage of U.S.-held TC Secretariats in the ISO and the IEC

in 1998 was 16.5 %. In contrast, the percentage of U.S.-held TC Secretariats related to the top

five export industries was 26.2 %.

9. Findings of this Report

1. In terms of percentage gain in U.S.-held TC and SC secretariats and improved rankings

among member countries, U.S. participation levels in both the ISO and the IEC have grown since

1966. Looking at the numbers, U.S. performance in the ISO has been slightly better than that of
22

USNC performance in the IEC since 1966, but noticeably better in the ISO than the IEC between

1986 and 1998. Data for 1966, 1986, and 1998 indicate the following:

1966 1986 1998

% U.S.-held

TC and SC

Secretariats

Ranked % U.S.-held

TC and SC

Secretariats

Ranked % U.S.-held

TC and SC

Secretariats

Ranked

ISO 9.0 3rd - behind

U.K. and

France

10.5 4th - behind

Germany,

U.K., and

France

18.3

(including

JTC 1)

2nd - behind

Germany

IEC 7.8 5th - behind

U.K.,

Netherlands,

France, and

Germany

16.2 2nd -

behind

France

16.8 1st

After a decline of USNC-held TC and SC secretariats in the IEC from 1976 to 1980, USNC

secretariats then gained 5 % in the years from 1980-1986 for a total of an 8.4 % gain between

1966 and 1986. From 1986 to 1998, an additional 0.6 % was gained, putting the USNC first in

terms of percentage of secretariats held. The overall gain from 1966 to 1998 in USNC-held IEC

TC and SC Secretariats was 9.0 %. The USNC currently ranks first overall in terms of

percentage of Secretariats held and has secured 5 IEC TC and 7 SC Secretariats since 1986. 

These include two of nineteen recently established TCs: TC 93 - Design Automation and TC 98 -

Electrical Insulation Systems. 

In contrast, the United States has gained 9.3 % of ISO TC and SC Secretariats since 1966 with 

7.8 % of that increase occurring between 1986 and 1998. As mentioned above, USNC-held IEC

Secretariats increased only 0.6 % between 1986 and 1998. The United States has also been

named Secretariat for 10 of the 30 ISO TCs which have been established since 1986. The areas

in which the United States has assumed these Secretariats are: ceramic tile; gas turbines;

sterilization of health care products; road transport informatics; building environmental design;

cleanrooms and associated controlled environments; general aspects for healthcare products;

clinical laboratory testing and in vitro diagnostic test systems; elevating work platforms; and,

health informatics. 

2. As previously discussed, ISO member bodies from each member country are registered by

voting or non-voting status in each ISO Technical Committee. Voting is limited to participating

members; non-voting to observer members. The participant-observer mix, which may also be
23

calculated as the participant:observer (P:O) ratio, varies from country to country and depends on

many factors. Among these factors are the extent of industrial development, value placed on

influencing standards developing through participation or value placed on obtaining information

through observing the process. In 1986, the P:O ratio in the ISO ranged from 0.1 for Yugoslavia

(16 P memberships to 139 O memberships) to 17.2 for Germany. The P:O ratio for the United

States was 2.4 in 1986 but by 1998, this ratio had changed to 19.6 (137 P memberships to 7 O

memberships). In 1998, the United States was not a member of 45 Technical Committees. 

In the IEC, the 1998 P:O ratio for the USNC was 77 (77 P memberships to no O memberships). 

The United States was not a member of 12 IEC Technical Committees. The P:O ratio for

members varied from 89 for Germany to 0.1 for Croatia.

3. The general improvements in U.S. participation levels and secretariat strength in the ISO and

IEC from 1966 through 1998 cited in the first two findings above appear to correlate inversely

with the decline in the overall U.S. share of world merchandise exports. U.S. involvement in

ISO and IEC standards activities seems to correlate more directly with the sustained growth of

world trade overall rather than on the level of U.S. exports. It is therefore possible that U.S.

gains in ISO and IEC standards activities primarily benefit, and are the result of, interests of

U.S.-based multinational corporations whose business enterprises have become increasingly

international and whose profits relate to global markets where production facilities, commodities,

goods and services, and money cross national borders. 

4. Although the effect of such economic factors as tariffs and quotas on U.S. exports can be

quantified, it is difficult to estimate the effect of any direct benefits that accrue from participation

in voluntary international standardization activities. As previously cited, there are significant

intangible benefits which accrue to those industries that do participate. U.S. companies have

indicated that various benefits accrue to them from participation in international standardization

activities. Such participation:

! contributes to the development of a broader market base for exports;

! results in the development of higher quality standards benefitting U.S. products; 

! provides the basis to counter foreign competition; 

! promotes universal product or test method standards to enhance economies in

manufacturing operations; and,

! supports the goal of one standard used worldwide.

The comparison of export data with U.S.-held ISO and IEC TC secretariats held indicates that

U.S. efforts tend to favor those product groups with newer technologies and higher export values. 

Those product groups that predominate as export strengths for the United States are those

concerning industrial machinery and equipment, chemicals, and electronic and electrical

equipment. Even though ISO subject areas are broader in scope than IEC subject areas, overall

U.S. participation levels and U.S.-held secretariat strengths have favored ISO activities more

than IEC activities since 1986. 
24

5. U.S. export success and participation in ISO and IEC standardization activities are evident in

certain product areas. Of the top 5 export industries, the United States holds ISO or IEC TC

Secretariats in 4 industries and does not hold any Secretariats in the chemicals and allied

products industry. The apparent strengths regarding standards participation and dollar volume of

U.S. exports include, among others, the following areas: computers and computer peripherals;

electrical power systems; motor vehicles and parts; airplanes and parts; telecommunications

equipment; electrical machinery, apparatus, and appliances; and, oil and gas field machinery.

Exports for 1998 are lower for some of the more basic product groups. In the corresponding ISO

and IEC TCs for these basic product groups, the statistics indicate there are fewer U.S.-held

Secretariats and less U.S. participation in the relevant TCs. These products include, among

others: furniture; footwear; cosmetics; stone products; apparel; primary metals; paper; and, wood

manufactured products. 

6. It must also be noted that, independently of the trade figures, representatives of some sectors

and organizations in the United States claim that the U.S. voice in certain areas in the ISO and

the IEC has not been as strong as it could be. Current efforts are underway to improve U.S.

representation in these areas. 

10. Conclusion

Trade data are subject to many economic factors, including changes in currency exchange rates,

differential economic growth in foreign countries, and structural shifts in industry sectors. This

publication has tried to provide an overview of U.S. participation levels in the ISO and the IEC

from 1966 to 1998 and to correlate that participation with export product groupings. The

analysis has shown that U.S. participation is strong in both the ISO and the IEC but has increased

more rapidly in the ISO in recent years. Participation in TCs which correspond to key exports is

also strong. However, ANSI, U.S. industry, trade associations, standards developers and other

interested parties should maintain U.S. gains and comparative advantages held in current ISO and

IEC affiliations. Steps can be taken to strengthen the U.S. position in technical committees

dealing with products where the U.S. can exploit its potential for exporting. 

A national educational program should be undertaken by ANSI and industry trade groups to

make relevant parties more aware of the role of international standards and the benefits to the

U.S. economy that can result from improved U.S. participation. Such a program would help

maintain and enhance U.S. competitiveness and ensure high-quality standards. It would also help

ensure continued U.S. participation in ISO and IEC activities at a time which many government

agencies and industries are restructuring, merging, or simply shifting resources. 

In addition, a series of economic studies should be undertaken to analyze the impact of multiple

standards and duplicative or onerous conformity assessment requirements at the domestic and

international level for different key sectors. 

At the celebration of the 28th Annual World Standards Day, October 14, 1997, International
25

Organization for Standardization (ISO) President Liew Mun Leong, International

Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) President Bernard H. Falk, and International

Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary General Pekka Tarjanne gave a joint speech which

included the following excerpt:

 “ISO, IEC and ITU on the one hand, and the WTO on the other, must make sure the message is

heard by their respective members: world trade needs worldwide standards....there must be a

similar commitment to reliance on international standards which enable businesses and

customers alike in the developing global market to draw the maximum benefits.”30
26

APPENDIX

Page

Chart 1U.S. Share of World Merchandise Exports and Imports: 1960-1998 ............... 27

Chart 2Merchandise Exports and Imports of Selected Countries: 1998 .................. 27

Table 1 Membership of Countries in the ISO, IEC, and the WTO TBT 

Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of

Standards ..................................................... 28

Table 2 Title, Number Designation, Year of Establishment, Secretariat, and U.S. Level of

Participation for ISO Technical Committees ........................... 35

Table 3 ISO Technical Committee, Sub-Committee, and Working Group

Secretariats as of December 1998 ................................... 46

Table 4 Title, Number Designation, Year of Establishment, Secretariat, and USNC Level

of Participation for IEC Technical Committees ......................... 48

Table 5 Basic Data on ISO Member Bodies for the United States and the Top 10 U.S.

Trading Partners ................................................ 53

Table 6 Development of ISO and IEC Standards .............................. 55

Table 7 ISO TC and SC Secretariats Assumed by the United States Since January, 

1988 ......................................................... 57

Table 8 ISO TC and SC Secretariats Relinquished by the United States Since January,

1988 ......................................................... 60

Table 9 IEC TC and SC Secretariats Assumed by the USNC since December, 1986 ... 61

Table 10 IEC TC and SC Secretariats Relinquished by the USNC since December, 1986.. 62

Table 11 Correlation of ISO and IEC TCs with the Top 5 Manufacturing (Durable and 

Non-durable Goods) Categories Based on Gross Domestic Product ......... 63
27

Chart 1. U.S. Share of World Merchandise Exports and Imports: 1960-1998

Source: World Bank. 1999. Entering the 21st Century: World Development Report 1999/2000.

Washington, DC.

Chart 2. Merchandise Exports and Imports of Selected Countries: 1998

Source: World Bank. 1999. Entering the 21st Century: World Development Report 1999/2000. 

Washington, DC.
28

Table 1

Membership of Countries in the ISO, IEC, and the WTO TBT 

Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards

COUNTRY ISO IEC Standards Code

Albania M*

Algeria M

Antigua and Barbuda

S*

Argentina M Instituto Argentino de Normalización (IRAM)

Armenia M

Australia M M Australian Communications Authority (ACA)

Australian Communications Industry Forum Limited

(ACIF)

Australian Gas Association (AGA)

Standards Australia (SAA)

Austria M M Österreichisches Normungsinstitut (ON)

Österreichischer Verband für Elektrotechnik (ÖVE)

Azerbaijan C*

Bahrain C Standards and Metrology Directorate (BSMD)

Bangladesh M Bangaldesh Standards and Testing Institution

(BSTI)

Barbados M Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI)

Belarus M M

Belgium M M Institut Belge de Normalisation (IBN)

Benin S

Bolivia C Instituto Boliviano de Normalización y Calidad

(IBNORCA)

Bosnia and Herzegovina M A*

Botswana M Botswana Bureau of Standards

Brazil M Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT)

Brunei Darussalam C
29

Bulgaria M M Committee for Standardization and Metrology

(BDS)

Cambodia S

Canada M M Standards Council of Canada (SCC)

Chile M Instituto Nacional de Normalización (INN)

China M M

Colombia M PA* Instituto Colombiano de Normas Técnicas y

Certificación (ICONTEC)

Congo C

Costa Rica M Instituto de Normas Técnicas de Costa Rica

(INTECO)

Côte d’Ivoire C

Croatia M M

Cuba M PA Oficina Nacional de Normalización (NC)

Cyprus M A

Czech Republic M M Czech Standards Institute (CSNI)

Denmark M M Danish Standards Association 

Dominican Republic S Dirección General de Normas y Sistemas de Calidad

(DIGENOR)

Ecuador M Instituto Ecuatoriano de Normalización (INEN)

Egypt M M Egyptian Organization for Standardization and

Quality Control (EOS)

El Salvador C Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología

(CONACYT)

Eritrea PA

Estonia C A

Ethiopia M

European Organizations European Telecommunications Standards Institute

(ETSI)

European Committee for Electrotechnical

Standardization (CENELEC)

European Committee for Standardization (CEN)

Fiji S

Finland M M Finnish Standards Association (SFS)
30

France M M Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR)

Germany M M Deutsches Institut für Normung E.V. (DIN)

Ghana M

Georgia C

Greece M M Hellenic Organization for Standardization (ELOT)

Grenada S Grenada Bureau of Standards (GDBS)

Guatemala C

Guinea C

Guyana S Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS)

Hong Kong, China C Electrical and Mechanical Services Department

Highways Department

Office of the Telecommunications Authority

Transport Department

Works Bureau

Hungary M M Magyar Szabványügyi Testület (MSZT)

Iceland M A Icelandic Council for Standardization (STRI)

India M M Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

Indonesia M M Badan Standardisasi Nasional (BSN)

Iran M

Ireland M M National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI)

Israel M M Standards Institution of Israel (SII)

Italy M M Italian Electrotechnical Committee (CEI)

Ente Nazonale Italiano di Unificazione (UNI)

Jamaica M Jamaica Bureau of Standards (JBS)

Japan M M Consumer Product Safety Association (CPSA)

Fair Trade Commission

Japan Construction Mechanization Association

(JCMA)

Japan Environment Association (JEA)

Japanese Industrial Standards Committee (JISC)

Japan Marine Standards Association (JMSA)

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Ministry of International Trade and Industry

Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF)

Jordan C
31

Kazakstan M

Kenya M PA Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)

Korea, Democratic P.

Republic

M

Korea, Republic of M M Korean Agency for Technology and Standards

(KATS)

Kuwait M

Kyrgyzstan C

Latvia C A

Lebanon C

Libya M

Lithuania C A

Luxembourg M M Service de l’Energie de l’Etat (SEE)

Macedonia M

Madagascar C

Malawi C Malawi Bureau of Standards

Malaysia M M Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM)

Mali C

Malta C

Mauritius M

Mexico M M Dirección General de Normas (DGN)

National Standardizing and Certifying Association

for the Electrical Sector

National Standardizing and Certifying Association

for the Construction Sector

Normex

National Textile Standardizing Institute

Electronic Standardization and Certification

Moldova C

Mongolia M Mongolian National Centre for Standardization and

Metrology (MNCSM)

Morocco M Service de Normalisation Industrielle Marocaine

(SNIMA)

Mozambique C Instituto Nacional de Normalização e Qualidade

(INNOQ)
32

Namibia C

Nepal C

Netherlands M M Dutch Standardization Institute

New Zealand M M Environment Choice New Zealand

Standards New Zealand (SNZ)

Nicaragua C

Nigeria M

Norway M M Norges Standardiseringsforbund (NSF)

Norsk Elektroteknisk Komite (NEK)

Oman C

Pakistan M M Pakistan Standards Institute (PSI)

Panama M Ministerio de Comercio e Industrias (MICI)

Papau New Guinea C

Paraguay C

Peru C Instituto Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia y

de la Protección de la Propriedad Intelectual

(INDECOPI)

Philippines M M Bureau of Product Standards (BPS)

Poland M M Polski Komitet Normalizacyjny (PKN)

Portugal M M Instituto Português da Qualidade (IPQ)

Qatar C

Romania M M Asociatia de Standardizare din România (ASRO)

Russian Federation M M

Saint Lucia S

Saudi Arabia M M

Senegal Institut Sénégalais de Normalisation (ISN)

Seychelles C

Singapore M M Singapore Productivity and Standards Board (PSB)

Slovakia M M Slovak Office of Standards, Metrology and Testing

(UNMS)

Slovenia M M Standards and Metrology Institute (SMIS)

South Africa M M South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)
33

Spain M M Asociación Española de Normalización y

Certificación (AENOR)

Sri Lanka M Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI)

Sudan C

Sweden M M Allmänna Standardiseringsgruppen (STG)

Byggstandardiseringen (BST)

Hälso-och Sjukvårdsstandardiseringen (HSS)

Kran-och Hisstandardiseringen (IKH)

Informationstekniska standardiseringen (ITS)

Svenska Elektriska Kommissionen (SEK)

Standardiseringen I Sverige (SIS)

Material- och Mekanstandardiseringen (SMS)

Tyrckkärlsstandardiseringen (TKS)

Switzerland M M Pro Telecom

Schweizerische Normen-Vereinigung (SNV)

Swiss Electrotechnical Committee (CES)

Syria M

Tanzania M Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS)

Thailand M M Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI)

Trinidad and Tobago M Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS)

Tunisia M Institut national de la normalisation et de la propriété

industrielle (INNORPI)

Turkey M M Türk Standarlari Enstitüsü (TSE)

Turkmenistan C

Uganda C Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS)

Ukraine M M

United Arab Emirates C

United Kingdom M M British Standards Institute (BSI)

United States M M American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

Uruguay M PA Instituto Uruguayo de Normas Técnicas (UNIT)

Uzbekistan M

Venezuela M Fondo para la Normalización y Certificación de la

Calidad (FONDONORMA)

Vietnam M

Yugoslavia M M
34

Zambia Zambia Bureau of Standards

Zimbabwe M Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ)

*M=Member

*S=Subscriber Member

*C=Correspondent Member

*A=Associate Member

*PA=Pre-Associate Member

Sources:1) “ISO Members Worldwide”. ISO Homepage.<http://www.iso.ch/addresse/address.html> (16 April 

1999).

2) “IEC Members”. IEC Homepage. <http://www.iec.ch/seatop-e.htm> (21 April 1999).

3) “List of Standardizing Bodies that have Accepted the Code of Good Practice for the Preparation,

Adoption and Application of Standards” G/TBT/CS/1/-G/TBT/CS/1/Add.4. WTO Homepage.

<http://www.wto.org> (15 December 1999).
35

Table 2

Title, Number Designation, Year of Establishment, Secretariat, and 

U.S. Level of Participation for ISO Technical Committees

Title and Number Designation of ISO

TCs

Year of

Establishment

Secretariat U.S. Level of

Participation

JTC 1 Information Technology 1987 ANSI 

(USA)

P*

TC 1 Screw threads 1947 SIS

(Sweden)

P

TC 2 Fasteners 1947 DIN

(Germany)

P

TC 4 Rolling bearings 1947 SIS

(Sweden)

P

TC 5 Ferrous metal pipes and metallic

fittings

1947 SNV

(Switzerland)

N*

TC 6 Paper, board and pulps 1947 SCC

(Canada)

P

TC 8 Ships and marine technology 1947 JISC 

(Japan)

P

TC 10 Technical drawings, product

definition and related documentation

1947 SIS

(Sweden)

P

TC 11 Boilers and pressure vessels 1947 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 12 Quantities, units, symbols,

conversion factors

1947 SIS

(Sweden)

P

TC 14 Shafts for machinery and accessories 1947 DIN

(Germany)

P

TC 17 Steel 1947 JISC

(Japan)

P

TC 18 Zinc and zinc alloys 1947 IBN

(Belgium)

P

TC 19 Preferred numbers 1947 AFNOR

(France)

N

TC 20 Aircraft and space vehicles 1947 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 21 Equipment for fire protection and

fire fighting

1947 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

P
36

TC 22 Road vehicles 1947 AFNOR

(France)

P

TC 23 Tractors and machinery for

agriculture and forestry

1947 AFNOR

(France)

P

TC 24 Sieves, sieving and other sizing

methods

1947 DIN

(Germany)

P

TC 25 Cast iron and pig iron 1947 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

P

TC 26 Copper and copper alloys 1947 DIN

(Germany)

N

TC 27 Solid mineral fuels 1947 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

P

TC 28 Petroleum products and lubricants 1947 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 29 Small tools 1947 AFNOR

(France)

P

TC 30 Measurement of fluid flow in closed

conduits

1947 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

P

TC 31 Tyres, rims and valves 1947 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 33 Refractories 1947 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

P

TC 34 Agricultural food products 1947 MSZT

(Hungary)

O*

TC 35 Paints and varnishes 1947 NNI

(Netherlands)

O

TC 36 Cinematography 1947 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 37 Terminology (principles and

coordination)

1947 ON

(Austria)

P

TC 38 Textiles 1947 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

P

TC 39 Machine tools 1947 UNI

(Italy)

P
37

TC 41 Pulleys and belts (including

veebelts)

1947 Vacant P

TC 42 Photography 1947 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 43 Acoustics 1947 DS

(Denmark)

P

TC 44 Welding and allied processes 1947 AFNOR

(France)

P

TC 45 Rubber and rubber products 1947 DSM

(Malaysia)

P

TC 46 Information and documentation 1947 DIN

(Germany)

P

TC 47 Chemistry 1947 Vacant O

TC 48 Laboratory glassware and related

apparatus

1947 DIN

(Germany)

N

TC 50 Lac 1947 BIS

(India)

N

TC 51 Pallets for unit load method of

materials handling

1947 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

P

TC 52 Light gauge metal containers 1947 AFNOR

(France)

N

TC 54 Essential oils 1947 AENOR (Spain) P

TC 56 Mica 1947 BIS

(India)

N

TC 58 Gas cylinders 1947 SIS

(Sweden)

P

TC 59 Building construction 1947 NSF

(Norway)

P

TC 60 Gears 1947 ANSI (USA) P

TC 61 Plastics 1947 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 63 Glass containers 1947 UNMS

(Slovakia)

N

TC 65 Manganese and chromium ores 1947 GOST R

(Russian

Federation)

N
38

TC 67 Materials, equipment and offshore

structures for petroleum and natural gas

industries

1947 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 68 Banking, securities and other

financial services

1948 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 69 Applications of statistical methods 1948 AFNOR

(France)

P

TC 70 Internal combustion engines 1949 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

P

TC 71 Concrete, reinforced concrete and

pre-stressed concrete

1949 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 72 Textile machinery and machinery for

dry-cleaning and industrial laundering

1949 SNV

(Switzerland)

P

TC 74 Cement and lime 1950 IBN

(Belgium)

P

TC 76 Transfusion, infusion and injection

equipment for medical use

1951 DIN

(Germany)

P

TC 77 Products in fiber reinforced cement 1952 IBN

(Belgium)

N

TC 79 Light metals and their alloys 1953 AFNOR

(France)

P

TC 81 Common names for pesticides and

other agrochemicals

1953 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

P

TC 82 Mining 1955 DIN

(Germany)

N

TC 83 Sports and recreational equipment 1955 DIN

(Germany)

O

TC 84 Medical devices for injections 1956 AFNOR

(France)

P

TC 85 Nuclear energy 1956 DIN

(Germany)

P

TC 86 Refrigeration 1957 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 87 Cork 1957 IPQ (Portugal) N

TC 89 Wood-based panels 1957 DIN

(Germany)

P
39

TC 91 Surface active agents 1958 ISIRI

(Iran)

P

TC 92 Fire tests on building materials,

components and structures

1958 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

P

TC 93 Starch (including derivatives and byproducts)1958 AFNOR

(France)

N

TC 94 Personal safety--protective clothing

and equipment

1959 SAA (Australia) O

TC 96 Cranes 1960 Vacant P

TC 98 Bases for design of structures 1960 PKN

(Poland)

P

TC 100 Chains and chain wheels for power

transmission and conveyors

1960 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

P

TC 101 Continuous mechanical handling

equipment

1961 DIN

(Germany)

N

TC 102 Iron ores 1961 JISC

(Japan)

P

TC 104 Freight containers 1961 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 105 Steel wire ropes 1962 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

N

TC 106 Dentistry 1962 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

P

TC 107 Metallic and other inorganic

coatings

1962 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 108 Mechanical vibration and shock 1963 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 109 Oil burners and associated

equipment 

1963 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

N

TC 110 Industrial trucks 1963 DIN

(Germany)

P

TC 111 Round steel link chains, chain

slings, components and accessories 

1963 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

P
40

TC 112 Vacuum technology 1964 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 113 Hydrometric determinations 1964 BIS 

(India)

P

TC 114 Horology 1964 SNV

(Switzerland)

N

TC 115 Pumps 1964 AFNOR

(France)

P

TC 116 Space heating appliances 1964 SNZ

(New Zealand)

N

TC 117 Industrial fans 1964 AFNOR

(France)

P

TC 118 Compressors, pneumatic tools and

pneumatic machines 

1965 SIS

(Sweden)

P

TC 119 Powder metallurgy 1965 SIS

(Sweden)

P

TC 120 Leather 1965 BIS

(India)

P

TC 121 Anaesthetic and respiratory

equipment 

1965 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

P

TC 122 Packaging 1965 TSE

(Turkey)

P

TC 123 Plain bearings 1967 GOST R

(Russian

Federation)

N

TC 125 Enclosures and conditions for

testing

1967 SAA

(Australia)

N

TC 126 Tobacco and tobacco products 1968 DIN

(Germany)

P

TC 127 Earth-moving machinery 1968 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 128 Glass plant, pipeline and fittings 1969 DIN

(Germany)

N

TC 129 Aluminum ores 1969 AFNOR

(France)

P

TC 130 Graphic technology 1969 DIN

(Germany)

P
41

TC 131 Fluid power systems 1969 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 132 Ferroalloys 1969 GOST R

(Russian

Federation)

N

TC 133 Sizing systems and designations for

clothes

1969 SABS

(South Africa)

N

TC 134 Fertilizers and soil conditioners 1969 ISIRI

(Iran)

P

TC 135 Non-destructive testing 1969 JISC

(Japan)

P

TC 136 Furniture 1969 SIS

(Sweden)

P

TC 137 Sizing system, designations and

marking for boots and shoes

1970 SABS

(South Africa)

N

TC 138 Plastics pipes, fittings and valves

for the transport of fluids 

1970 JISC

(Japan)

O

TC 142 Cleaning equipment for air and

other gases

1970 AFNOR

(France)

N

TC 144 Air distribution and air diffusion 1970 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

N

TC 145 Graphical symbols 1970 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

P

TC 146 Air quality 1971 DIN (Germany) P

TC 147 Water quality 1971 DIN

(Germany)

P

TC 148 Sewing machines 1971 DIN

(Germany)

N

TC 149 Cycles 1971 BIS 

(India)

P

TC 150 Implants for surgery 1971 DIN

(Germany)

P

TC 152 Gypsum, gypsum plasters and

gypsum products 

1971 AFNOR

(France)

P

TC 153 Valves 1971 Vacant P
42

TC 154 Documents and data elements in

administration, commerce, and industry 

1972 SNV

(Switzerland)

P

TC 155 Nickel and nickel alloys 1973 SCC

(Canada)

P

TC 156 Corrosion of metals and alloys 1974 GOST R

(Russian

Federation)

P

TC 157 Mechanical contraceptives 1974 SIS

(Sweden)

P

TC 158 Analysis of gases 1974 NNI

(Netherlands)

N

TC 159 Ergonomics 1974 DIN

(Germany)

P

TC 160 Glass in building 1974 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

P

TC 161 Control and safety devices for

non-industrial gas-fired appliances and

systems

1974 DIN

(Germany)

N

TC 162 Doors and windows 1975 NSF

(Norway)

P

TC 163 Thermal insulation 1975 SIS

(Sweden)

P

TC 164 Mechanical testing of metals 1975 JISC

(Japan)

P

TC 165 Timber structures 1976 SCC (Canada) P

TC 166 Ceramic ware, glassware and glass

ceramic ware in contact with food 

1976 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 167 Steel and aluminum structures 1977 NSF

(Norway)

P

TC 168 Prosthetics and orthotics 1977 DIN

(Germany)

P

TC 170 Surgical instruments 1977 DIN

(Germany)

N

TC 171 Micrographics and optical

memories for document and image

recordings, storage and use 

1978 AFNOR

(France)

P
43

TC 172 Optics and optical instruments 1978 DIN

(Germany)

P

TC 173 Technical systems and aids for

disabled or handicapped persons 

1978 SIS

(Sweden)

O

TC 174 Jewelry 1978 DIN

(Germany)

N

TC 175 Fluorspar 1978 SABS

(South Africa)

N

TC 176 Quality management and quality

assurance 

1979 SCC

(Canada)

P

TC 177 Caravans 1979 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

N

TC 178 Lifts, escalators, passenger

conveyors 

1979 AFNOR

(France)

P

TC 179 Masonry 1980 DIN

(Germany)

P

TC 180 Solar energy 1980 SAA

(Australia)

P

TC 181 Safety of toys 1980 DS

(Denmark)

P

TC 182 Geotechnics 1981 NNI

(Netherlands)

N

TC 183 Copper, lead and zinc ores and

concentrates 

1983 SAA

(Australia)

N

TC 184 Industrial automation systems and

integration 

1983 AFNOR

(France)

P

TC 185 Safety devices for protection

against excessive pressure 

1983 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 186 Cutlery and table and decorative

metal hollow-ware 

1984 BSI

(United

Kingdom)

N

TC 187 Colour notations 1985 SIS

(Sweden)

N

TC 188 Small craft 1985 SIS

(Sweden)

P

TC 189 Ceramic tile 1986 ANSI

(USA)

P
44

TC 190 Soil quality 1986 NNI

(Netherlands)

N

TC 191 Animal (mammal) traps 1985 SCC

(Canada)

P

TC 192 Gas turbines 1988 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 193 Natural gas 1988 NNI

(Netherlands)

P

TC 194 Biological evaluation of medical 

and dental materials and devices

1988 DIN

(Germany)

P

TC 195 Building construction machinery

and equipment 

1989 PKN

(Poland)

N

TC 196 Natural stone 1989 AENOR

(Spain)

N

TC 197 Hydrogen energy technologies 1990 SCC

(Canada)

P

TC 198 Sterilization of health care products 1990 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 199 Safety of machinery 1991 DIN

(Germany)

P

TC 201 Surface chemical analysis 1991 JISC (Japan) P

TC 202 Microbeam analysis 1991 CSBTS

(China)

P

TC 203 Technical energy systems 1991 SIS

(Sweden)

P

TC 204 Road transport informatics 1992 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 205 Building environmental design 1992 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 206 Fine ceramics 1992 JISC

(Japan)

P

TC 207 Environmental management 1993 SCC

(Canada)

P

TC 208 Thermal turbines for industrial

application (steam turbines, gas expansion

turbines)

1993 DIN

(Germany)

N
45

TC 209 Cleanrooms and associated

controlled environments 

1993 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 210 General aspects for healthcare

products 

1994 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 211 Geographic information/Geomatics 1994 NSF

(Norway)

P

TC 212 Clinical laboratory testing and in

vitro diagnostic test systems 

1994 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 213 Dimensional and geometrical

product specifications and verification 

1996 DS

(Denmark)

P

TC 214 Elevating work platforms 1996 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 215 Health informatics 1998 ANSI

(USA)

P

TC 216 Footwear N/A AENOR (Spain) N

TC 217 Cosmetics N/A ISIRI

(Iran)

N

TC 218 Sawn timber and sawlogs,

semi-manufactures of timber

N/A NSF (Norway) P

TC 219 Floor coverings N/A BSI

(United

Kingdom)

N

TC 220 Cryogenic vessels N/A AFNOR

(France)

N

*P=Participant *O=Observer *N=non-participant

Source: 1) “List of Technical Committees”. ISO Homepage.<http://www.iso.ch/meme/memento.html> (14

December 1999).

2) International Organization for Standardization. 1998. ISO Memento. Geneva: ISO Central Secretariat.

Table 3

ISO Technical Committee, Sub-Committee, and Working Group

 Secretariats as of December 1998

Member body Country TC SC WG Total

ABNT Brazil - 3 4 7

AENOR Spain 2 2 7 11

AFNOR France 19 63 190 272
46

ANSI USA 30 93 409 532

BIS India 5 5 3 13

BSI United

Kingdom

21 91 336 448

CSBTS China 1 5 15 21

CSNI Czech Republic - 1 6 7

DIN Germany 29 115 365 509

DS Denmark 3 4 35 42

DSM Malaysia 1 1 2 4

ELOT Greece - 2 1 3

GOST R Russian

Federation

7 21 10 38

IBN Belgium 3 2 16 21

ICONTEC Colombia - 1 - 1

IPQ Portugal 1 1 3 5

ISIRI Iran 2 1 1 4

JISC Japan 7 19 77 103

MNISM Mongolia - - 1 1

MSZT Hungary 1 1 - 2

NNI Netherlands 7 16 69 92

NSAI Ireland - - 2 2

NSF Norway 4 13 34 51

ON Austria 1 1 13 15

PKN Poland 2 3 5 10

PSB Singapore - - 2 2

SAA Australia 4 5 37 46

SABS South Africa 3 3 3 9

SCC Canada 7 13 60 80

SFS Finland - 3 9 12

SII Israel - 3 3 6
47

SIS Sweden 13 22 85 120

SNV Switzerland 3 17 27 47

SNZ New Zealand 1 1 3 5

TBS Tanzania - 1 - 1

TISI Thailand - - 1 1

TSE Turkey 1 4 - 4

UNI Italy 1 16 37 54

UNMS Slovakia 1 2 - 3

Technical

committees,

subcommittees

and working

groups which

have no

Secretariat

3 16 79 98

Total 183 570 1950 2703

Ad hoc study

groups

39

Total number of

working parties

(excluding

JTC1)

2742

Source: International Organization for Standardization. 1998. ISO Memento. Geneva: ISO Central Secretariat.
48

Table 4 

Title, Number Designation, Year of Establishment, Secretariat, and USNC Level of

Participation for IEC Technical Committees

Title and number designation of IEC TCs Year of

Establishment

Secretariat U.S. Level of

Participation

TC 1 Terminology 1908 France P*

TC 2 Rotating Machinery 1939 United Kingdom P

TC 3 Documentation and Graphical Symbols 1912 Sweden N*

TC 4 Hydraulic Turbines 1911 Canada P

TC 5 Steam Turbines 1927 United Kingdom N

TC 7 Overhead Electrical Conductors 1919 United Kingdom N

TC 8 Standard Voltages, Current Ratings

and Frequencies

1919 Italy N

TC 9 Electric Railway Equipment 1924 France P

TC 10 Fluids for Electrotechnical

Applications

1924 Italy P

TC 11 Overhead Lines 1972 France P

TC 13 Equipment for Electrical Energy

Measurement and Load Control

1926 Hungary P

TC 14 Power Transformers 1948 United Kingdom P

TC 15 Insulating Materials 1952 Italy P

TC 16 Basic and Safety Principles for ManMade Interface, Marking, and Identification1927 Germany P

TC 17 Switchgear and Controlgear 1927 Sweden P

TC 18 Electrical Installations of Ships and

of Mobile and Fixed Offshore Units

1927 Norway P

TC 20 Electric Cables 1933 United Kingdom P

TC 21 Secondary Cells and Batteries 1931 France P

TC 22 Power Electronics 1934 Switzerland P

TC 23 Electrical Accessories 1934 Belgium P

TC 25 Quantities and Units, and their Letter

Symbols

1935 Italy P

TC 26 Electric Welding 1936 Germany P
49

TC 27 Industrial Electroheating Equipment 1937 Poland N

TC 28 Insulation Coordination 1939 France N

TC 29 Electroacoustics 1954 Denmark P

TC 31 Electrical Apparatus for Explosive

Atmospheres

1948 United Kingdom P

TC 32 Fuses 1946 France P

TC 33 Power Capacitors 1946 Italy P

TC 34 Lamps and Related Equipment 1948 United Kingdom P

TC 35 Primary Cells and Batteries 1950 Japan P

TC 36 Insulators 1949 Germany P

TC 37 Surge Arresters 1951 USA P

TC 38 Instrument Transformers 1951 Italy N

TC 39 Electronic Tubes 1952 Netherlands P

TC 40 Capacitors and Resistors for

Electronic Equipment

Not Available Netherlands P

TC 42 High-Voltage Testing Techniques 1949 Canada P

TC 44 Safety of Machinery -

Electrotechnical Aspects

1959 United Kingdom P

TC 45 Nuclear Instrumentation 1960 Russian Federation P

TC 46 Cables, Wires, Waveguides, R.F.

Connectors, and Accessories for

Communication and Signalling

1960 USA P

TC 47 Semiconductor Devices 1961 USA P

TC 48 Electromechanical Components and

Mechanical Structures for Electronic

Equipment 

1961 USA P

TC 49 Piezoelectric and Dielectric Devices

for Frequency Control and Selection 

1960 Germany P

TC 51 Magnetic Components and Ferrite

Materials 

1958 Japan P

TC 52 Printed Circuits 1954 USA P

TC 55 Winding Wires 1962 France P

TC 56 Dependability 1965 United Kingdom P
50

TC 57 Power System Control and

Associated Communications 

1964 Germany P

TC 59 Performance of Household Electrical

Appliances 

1964 Germany P

TC 61 Safety of Household and Similar

Electrical Appliances 

1966 USA P

TC 62 Electrical Equipment in Medical

Practice 

1968 Germany P

TC 64 Electrical Installations and Protection

Against Electric Shock

1967 Germany P

TC 65 Industrial-process Measurement and

Control 

1968 France P

TC 66 Safety of Measuring, Control and

Laboratory Equipment 

1992 United Kingdom P

TC 68 Magnetic Alloys and Steels 1968 Germany P

TC 69 Electric Road Vehicles and Electric

Industrial Trucks

1969 USA P

TC 70 Degrees of Protection Provided by

Enclosures

1970 Germany P

TC 71 Electrical Installations for Outdoor

Sites under Heavy Conditions (Including

Open-cast Mines and

Quarries)

1971 Australia N

TC 72 Automatic Controls for Household

Use 

1971 USA P

TC 73 Short-circuit Currents 1972 Norway N

TC 74 Safety and Energy Efficiency of IT

Equipment

1972 USA P

TC 76 Optical Radiation Safety and Laser

Equipment 

1974 USA P

TC 77 Electromagnetic Compatibility 1973 Germany P

TC 78 Live Working 1975 Canada P

TC 79 Alarm Systems 1979 France P

TC 80 Maritime Navigation and

Radiocommunication Equipment and

Systems

1980 United Kingdom P

TC 81 Lightning Protection 1980 Italy P
51

TC 82 Solar Photovoltaic Energy Systems 1981 USA P

TC 85 Measuring Equipment for Electrical

and Electromagnetic Quantities 

1983 Hungary P

TC 86 Fibre Optics 1984 USA P

TC 87 Ultrasonics 1985 United Kingdom P

TC 88 Wind Turbine Systems 1987 Netherlands P

TC 89 Fire Hazard Testing 1988 Canada P

TC 90 Superconductivity 1989 Japan P

TC 91 Electronics Assembly Technology 1990 Japan P

TC 92 Safety of Audio, Video and Similar

Electronic Equipment

1990 Netherlands P

TC 93 Design Automation 1992 USA P

TC 94 All-or-nothing Electrical Relays 1992 Germany N

TC 95 Measuring Relays and Protection

Equipment 

1992 France P

TC 96 Small Power Transformers, Reactors

and Power Supply Units: Safety

Requirements 

1993 France P

TC 97 Electrical Installations for Lighting

and Beaconing of Aerodromes 

1994 France P

TC 98 Electrical Insulation Systems (EIS) 1994 USA P

TC 99 System Engineering and Erection of

Electrical Power Installations in Systems

with Nominal Voltages above 1kv A.C. and

1.5KV D.C., Particularly Concerning Safety

Aspects 

1994 Australia P

TC 100 Audio, Video and Multimedia

Systems and Equipment 

1995 Netherlands P

TC 101 Electrostatics 1996 Germany P

TC 102 Equipment Used in Radio

Communications for Mobile Services and

for Satellite Communication

Systems

1996 Japan N

TC 103 Transmitting Equipment for

Radiocommunication 

1996 France N
52

TC 104 Environmental Conditions,

Classification and Methods of Test 

1997 Sweden P

TC 105 Fuel Cell Technologies 1998 Germany P

TC 106 Testing Instrumentation and

Methods of Measuring Electric and

Magnetic Fields Associated with Human

Exposure

1999 Canada P

CISPR International Special Committee on

Radio Interference

1934 United Kingdom P

*P=Participant *N=Non-participant

Sources: 1) United States National Committee (USNC). 1999. National Committee’s Status Participation in TC/SC

Work. New York.

2) “Technical Committees and Subcommittees”. IEC Homepage.

<http://www.iec.ch/seatop-e.htm> (28 November 1999).
Table 5

Basic Data on ISO Member Bodies for the United States and the Top 10 U.S. Trading Partners

(information on abbreviations used can be found on the next page)

ISO Member

Body Country

- Abbreviated*

Legal

Status of

Member

Body**

Annual Budget

(1995) in Swiss

Francs

Total Staff

(Direct/Indirect

Personnel) 

Sources of Revenue (in %)*** Responsibilities ****

G S P C O S P C Q M E T R

Canada - SCC PG 8,600,000 72 53 .1 27.9 19 ! !

Japan - JISC GD 31,000,000 95/170 100 ! ! ! !

Mexico - DGN GD 258,090 482/240 100 ! ! ! ! ! ! !

China - CSBTS GD 2,857,000 350/21,000 100 ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Germany - DIN PS 129,000,000 825/351 16 18 53 4 9 ! ! ! ! ! !

United

Kingdom - BSI

PL 172,900,000 1800 3.9 6.8 11.4 62.6 15.3 ! ! ! ! ! !

#France - 

AFNOR

PG 103,000,000 598/250 22.3 77.7 ! ! ! ! !

Korea - KATS GD 31,818,182 329 100 ! ! ! ! ! !

Singapore -

PSB

PL 55,061,600 1043 34.1 .4 .8 35.9 28.8 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Italy - UNI PG 17,624,000 106/40 32.2 19.9 35.3 1.4 11.2 ! ! ! ! !

U.S.A. - ANSI PS 24,000,000 110 43 34 4 19 ! ! ! !
* Abbreviations of Member Bodies: **Designation of Legal Status of ISO Member Bodies:

SCC - Standards Council of Canada GD - Governmental Department

JISC - Japanese Industrial Standards Committee PL - Organization Incorporated by Public Law 

DGN - Dirección General de Normas PG - Organization Incorporated by Private Law but granted official

CSBTS - China State Bureau of Technical Supervision Recognition by a governmental authority

DIN - Deutsches Institut für Normung PS - Private Sector Organization

BSI - British Standards Institute

AFNOR - Association Française de Normalisation ***Sources of Revenue:

KATS - Korean Agency for Technology and Standards G - Government Grants

PSB - Singapore Productivity and Standards Board S - Subscriptions

UNI - Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione P - Publications

ANSI - American National Standards Institute C - Certification/Testing

Q - Other

****Responsibilities

S - Standards Preparation P - Sale of Publications

C - Certification Q - Quality Services

M - Metrology E - Education

T - Testing A - Applied Industrial Research

# - Taiwan is the sixth largest trading partner of the United States but does not have an ISO Member Body

Source: International Organization for Standardization. 1996. ISO Members (Eighth Edition). Geneva: ISO Central Secretariat.
55

Table 6

Development of ISO and IEC Standards

Stage 1: Proposal stage

The first step in the development of an International Standard is to confirm that a particular

International Standard is needed. A new work item proposal (NP) is submitted for vote by the

members of the relevant TC/SC to determine the inclusion of the work item in the programme

of work. The proposal is accepted if a majority of the P-members of the TC/SC votes in favor

and at least five P-members declare their commitment to participate actively in the project. At

this stage a project leader responsible for the work item is normally appointed. 

Stage 2: Preparatory stage

Usually, a working group of experts, the chairman (convener) of which is the project leader, is

set up by the TC/SC for the preparation of a working draft. Successive working drafts may be

considered until the working group is satisfied that it has developed the best technical solution

to the problem being addressed. At this stage, the draft is forwarded to the working group's

parent committee for the consensus-building phase. 

Stage 3: Committee stage

As soon as a first committee draft is available, it is registered by the ISO Central

Secretariat/IEC Central Office. It is distributed for comments and, if required, voting, by the

P-members of the TC/SC. Successive committee drafts may be considered until consensus is

reached on the technical content. Once consensus has been attained, the text is finalized for

submission as a draft International Standard (DIS). 

Stage 4: Enquiry stage

The draft International Standard (DIS) is circulated to all ISO member bodies/IEC National

Committees by the ISO Central Secretariat/IEC Central Office for voting and comment within

a period of five months. It is approved for submission as a final draft International Standard

(FDIS) if a two-thirds majority of the P-members of the TC/SC are in favor and not more than

one-quarter of the total number of votes cast are negative. If the approval criteria are not met,

the text is returned to the originating TC/SC for further study and a revised document will

again be circulated for voting and comment as a draft International Standard. 

Stage 5: Approval stage

The final draft International Standard (FDIS) is circulated to all ISO member bodies/IEC

National Committees by the ISO Central Secretariat/IEC Central Office for a final Yes/No

vote within a period of two months. If technical comments are received during this period,

they are no longer considered at this stage, but registered for consideration during a future

revision of the International Standard. The text is approved as an International Standard if a

two-thirds majority of the P-members of the TC/SC are in favor and not more than one-quarter

of the total number of votes cast are negative. If these approval criteria are not met, the

standard is referred back to the originating TC/SC for reconsideration in the light of the

technical reasons submitted in support of the negative votes received. 
56

Stage 6: Publication stage

Once a final draft International Standard has been approved, only minor editorial changes, if

and where necessary, are introduced into the final text. The final text is sent to the ISO

Central Secretariat/IEC Central Office which publishes the International Standard. 

Review of International Standards (Confirmation, Revision, Withdrawal)

All International Standards are reviewed at least once every five years by the responsible

Technical Committee or Subcommittee.

Source: “Stages of the Development of International Standards”. ISO Homepage. 

<http://www.iso.ch/infoe/proc.html> (12 December 1999).
Table 7

ISO TC and SC Secretariats Assumed by the United States Since January, 1988

ISO TC or SC Title of Committee

JTC 1/SC 22 Information technology - Programming languages, their environments and systems software interfaces

JTC 1/SC 31 Information technology - Automatic identification and data capture techniques

JTC 1/SC 32 Information technology - Data Management Services

JTC 1/SC 34 Information technology - Document description and processing languages

TC 2/SC 9 Fasteners - Hose clamps

TC 8/SC 1 Shipbuilding - Lifesaving and fire protection

TC 8/SC 2 Shipbuilding -Marine environment

TC 8/SC 3 Shipbuilding - Piping and machinery

TC 17/SC 13 Steel - Railway rolling stock material

TC 18/SC 3 Zinc - Primary zinc

TC 20/SC 13 Aircraft and space vehicles - Space data and information transfer systems

TC 20/SC 14 Aircraft and space vehicles - Space systems and operations

TC 21/SC 5 Equipment for fire protection and fire fighting - Fixed fire extinguishing systems

TC 38/SC 11 Textiles – Care labeling of textiles and apparel

TC 38/SC 19 Textiles - Burning behavior of textiles and textile products

TC 38/SC 22 Textiles - Product specifications

TC 39/SC 2 Machine tools - Test conditions for metal cutting machine tools

TC 44/SC 4 Welding and allied processes - Welding and allied process/Arc welding equipment

TC 44/SC 5 Welding and allied processes - Testing inspection of welds

TC 59/SC 2 Building construction - Terminology, symbols and unification of language

TC 60 Gears

TC 67 Materials, equipment and offshore structures for petroleum and natural gas industries

TC 67/SC 4 Materials, equipment and offshore structures for petroleum and natural gas industries - Drilling and production equipment

TC 68/SC 2 Banking, securities and other financial services - Security management and general banking operations

TC 69/SC 4 Applications of statistical methods - Statistical process control

TC 71 Concrete, reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete

TC 71/SC 4 Concrete, reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete - Harmonization of performance requirements for concrete structures

TC 72/SC 3 Textile machinery and machinery for dry-cleaning and industrial laundering - Machinery for fabric manufacture
ISO TC or SC Title of Committee

TC 72/SC 7 Textile machinery and machinery for dry-cleaning and industrial laundering - Data Interfaces for Monitoring and Control of

Textile Machinery

TC 86 Refrigeration

TC 86/SC 2 Refrigeration - Terms and definitions

TC 92/SC 2 Fire safety - Fire tests on building materials, components and structures - Fire resistance

TC 94/SC 1 Personal safety - Protective clothing and equipment - Head protection

TC 106/SC 8 Dentistry - Dental implants

TC 107 Metallic and other inorganic coatings

TC 107/SC 3 Metallic and other inorganic coatings -Electrodeposited coatings and related finishes

TC 108/SC 5 Mechanical vibration and shock - Condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines

TC 110/SC 1 Industrial trucks – General terminology

TC 112 Vacuum technology

TC 112/SC 1 Vacuum technology - Vacuum flanges and fittings

TC 113/SC 5 Measurement of liquid flow in open channels - Flow measuring instruments and equipment

TC 113/SC 8 Measurement of liquid flow in open channels - Hydrometric determinations – Ground water 

TC 115/SC 3 Pumps – Installation and application

TC 121/SC 6 Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment - Medical gas systems

TC 131/SC 1 Fluid power systems – Terminology, classification and symbols

TC 131/SC 9 Fluid power systems – Installations and systems

TC 135/SC 8 Non-destructive testing - Infrared thermography for non-destructive testing

TC 145/SC 3 Graphic symbols for use on equipment

TC 146/SC 5 Air quality - Meteorology

TC 150/SC 5 Implants for surgery - Osteosynthesis

TC 150/SC 6 Implants for surgery - Active implantable medical devices

TC 160/SC 2 Glass in buildings -Use considerations

TC 164/SC 5 Mechanical testing of metals - Fatigue testing

TC 166 Ceramic ware, glassware and glass ceramic ware in contact with food

TC 171/SC 2 Micrographics and Optical Memories for Document and Image Recording, Storage and Use - Applications

TC 185 Safety devices for protection against excessive pressure

TC 198 Sterilization of health care products

TC 201/SC 1 Surface chemical analysis - Terminology

TC 201/SC 2 Surface chemical analysis - General procedures
ISO TC or SC Title of Committee

TC 201/SC 5 Surface chemical analysis - Auger electron spectroscopy

TC 202/SC 1 Microbeam analysis - Terminology

TC 202/SC 3 Microbeam analysis - Analytical electron microscopy

TC 204 Transport information and control systems

TC 205 Building environment design

TC 207/SC 4 Environmental management – Environmental performance evaluation

TC 209 Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments

TC 210 General aspects for health care products

TC 212 Clinical laboratory testing and invitro diagnostic test systems

TC 214 Elevating work platforms

TC 215 Health informatics

Source: ANSI files.
Table 8

ISO TC and SC Secretariats Relinquished by the United States Since January, 1988

ISO/TC or SC Title of Committee

JTC 1/SC 18 Information technology - Text and office systems

JTC 1/SC 21 Information retrieval, transfer and management for open systems interconnection (OSI)

TC 2/SC 8 Fasteners - Retaining rings

TC 10/SC 3 Graphical symbols and identification for process measurement and control (joint committee ISO/TC 10/SC 3 and IEC/TC

65/WG 5)

TC 22/SC 20 Road vehicles – Identification of vehicles

TC 45/SC 4 Rubber and rubber products – Miscellaneous products

TC 61/SC5 Plastics – Physical-chemical properties

TC 67/SC 9 Materials, equipment and offshore structures for petroleum and natural gas industries - Wellhead equipment and pipeline valves

TC 102/SC 3 Iron ores – Physical testing 

TC 131/SC 6 Fluid power systems – Fluids

TC 131/SC 7 Fluid power systems – Sealing devices

TC 144/SC 1 Air distribution and air diffusion – Aerodynamic testing and rating of air terminal devices

TC 153 Valves

TC 159/SC 3 Ergonomics – Anthropometry and biomechanics

TC 161 Control and safety devices for non-industrial gas-fired appliances and systems

TC 185/SC 3 Safety valves and bursting disc devices in combination

TC 200 Solid wastes

Source: ANSI files.
Table 9

IEC TC and SC Secretariats Assumed by the USNC Since December, 1986

IEC TC or SC Title of Committee

SC 15C Specifications

SC 31L Electrical Apparatus for the Detection of Flammable Gases

SC 37B Specific Components for Surge Arresters And Surge Protective Devices 

TC 47 Semiconductor Devices 

SC 47D Mechanical Standardization of Semiconductor Devices 

SC 61F Safety of Hand-held Motor-operated Electric Tools 

SC 62A Common Aspects of Electrical Equipment Used in Medical Practice 

SC 65D Analyzing Equipment 

TC 69 Electric Road Vehicles and Electric Industrial Trucks 

TC 86 Fibre Optics

SC 86C Fibre Optic Systems and Active Devices

TC 93 Design Automation 

TC 98 Electrical Insulation Systems (EIS) 

Source: United States National Committee (USNC). 1999. Secretariats of IEC TCs and SCs. New York.
Table 10

IEC TC and SC Secretariats Relinquished by the United States Since December, 1986

IEC TC or

SC

Title of Committee

TC 4 Hydraulic Turbines

TC 5 Steam Turbines

TC 25 Quantities and units and their letter symbols

SC 46B Waveguides and their accessories

SC 59A Electric dishwashers

SC 61B Safety of microwave ovens

TC 85 Measuring equipment for electrical and electromagnetic quantities

Source: United States National Committee (USNC). 1999. Secretariats of IEC TCs and SCs. New York.
Table 11

Correlation of ISO and IEC TCs with the Top 5 Manufacturing (Durable and Non-durable Goods) 

Categories Based on Gross Domestic Product

Note:

· Tables 2 and 4 in the Appendix contain information on titles of ISO and IEC TCs and information on the

status of US activity in each TC 

of each ISO or IEC committee referenced below.

1. Industrial Machinery and Equipment

Gross Domestic Product by Industry in Current Dollars 1997 (Billions of Dollars): 158.9

Computers and computer peripherals

(Includes PCs; PC servers; scanners; printers; network equipment; CD Rom drives; hard drives; laptops;

notebooks)

ISO/IEC JTC1

ISO/TC 159

IEC/TC 74

Electrical power systems

(Includes process controls and instrumentation; maintenance software; cogeneration systems; digital simulation

tools; nuclear, thermal, and hydro power generating equipment; heavy electrical power equipment)

ISO/TC 85; ISO/TC 180

ISO/TC 197; IEC/TC 11

IEC/TC 13; IEC/TC 14

EC/TC 17; IEC/TC 18

IEC/TC 21; IEC/TC 22

IEC/TC 32; IEC/TC 33

IEC/TC 35; IEC/TC 37

IEC/TC 40; IEC/TC 46

IEC/TC 52; IEC/TC 55

IEC/TC 57; IEC/TC 82

IEC/TC 95; IEC/TC 96

IEC/TC 99; IEC/TC 105

Heating and cooling equipment ISO/TC 86; ISO/TC 116

Pollution control equipment

(Includes air emissions control equipment and systems; dust collectors; hazardous and toxic waste management

equipment; incineration equipment for medical waste; solid waste recycling equipment; vapor recovery systems)

ISO/TC 142

ISO/TC 144

Oil & gas field machinery

(Includes pumps; valves; compressors; drilling equipment; flow and pressure control equipment; floating

production platforms; hub-and-spoke collection systems)

ISO/TC 67

Construction equipment ISO/TC 96; ISO/TC 127

ISO/TC 214

Security and safety equipment

(Includes security locks; burglary and fire alarms; optical scanners; card key and magnetic entry devices)

ISO/IEC JTC1; ISO/TC 21

ISO/TC 74; ISO/TC 79

IEC/TC 89

Mining equipment ISO/TC 82
Pumps, valves, and compressors ISO/TC 115;ISO/TC 118

ISO/TC 153; ISO/TC 185

Machine tools and metalworking equipment

(Includes semiconductor dry etching machines and laser; light or photon beam processing machines; metal

molding machines)

ISO/TC 39

ISO/TC 199

IEC/TC 44

General industrial equipment

(Includes bearings; fasteners; industrial process heaters; commercial and industrial cleaners; belts; hoses;

fittings; lubricants; hand tools)

ISO/TC 1; ISO/TC 2

ISO/TC 4; ISO/TC 5

ISO/TC 11; ISO/TC 14

ISO/TC 28; ISO/TC 29

ISO/TC 41; ISO/TC 58

ISO/TC 60; ISO/TC 91

ISO/TC 100; ISO/TC 109

ISO/TC 111; ISO/TC 112

ISO/TC 117; ISO/TC 118

ISO/TC 131; ISO/TC 192

ISO/TC 220

Materials handling equipment

(Includes belt and bucket elevators; containers; conveyors and conveyor belts; cranes and mobile cranes; pallets;

ship loading and unloading elevators

ISO/TC 51; ISO/TC 96

ISO/TC 100; ISO/TC 101

ISO/TC 104; ISO/TC 110

ISO/TC 122

2. Chemicals and Allied Products

Gross Domestic Product by Industry in Current Dollars 1997 (Billions of Dollars): 158.8

Top 41 U.S. Exports Included in this Category Related 

ISO/IEC Technical Committees

Industrial chemicals

(Includes photochemicals; raw materials and intermediaries for the pharmaceutical industry; dyes and pigments;

dye carriers; food emulsifiers; preservatives and additives)

ISO/TC 35

ISO/TC 47

Drugs and pharmaceuticals

Cosmetics and toiletries ISO/TC 218

Agricultural chemicals ISO/TC 81; ISO/TC 134

3. Electronic and other electrical equipment

Gross Domestic Product by Industry in Current Dollars (Billions of Dollars): 157.3

Top 41 U.S. Exports Included in this Category Related 

ISO/IEC Technical Committees

Electronic components IEC/TC 7; IEC/TC 23
Top 41 U.S. Exports Included in this Category Related 

ISO/IEC Technical Committees

Telecommunications equipment

(Includes fixed and mobile radio transmitters and receivers; analog and digital multiplexers; fiber-optic cable;

mobile phones)

ISO/IEC JTC1

IEC/TC 74

IEC/TC 102

IEC/TC 103

Airport and ground support equipment ISO/TC 20; IEC/TC 97

Films, videos, and other recordings ISO/TC 36; IEC/TC 92

IEC/TC 100

4. Motor Vehicles and other transportation equipment

Gross Domestic Product by Industry in Current Dollars (Billions of Dollars): 136.1

Top 41 U.S. Exports Included in this Category Related 

ISO/IEC Technical Committees

Aircraft and associated equipment ISO/TC 20; IEC/TC 97

Motor vehicle parts and accessories ISO/TC 22; ISO/TC 31

ISO/TC 70; IEC/TC 69

Autos and light trucks ISO/TC 22; ISO/TC 110

IEC/TC 69

5. Fabricated metal products

Gross Domestic Product by Industry in Current Dollars (Billions of Dollars): 99.3

Top 41 U.S. Exports Included in this Category Related 

ISO/IEC Technical Committees

Security and safety equipment

(Includes security locks; burglary and fire alarms; optical scanners; card key and magnetic entry devices)

ISO/IEC JTC1

ISO/TC 21; ISO/TC 74; IEC/TC

79; IEC/TC 89

Sources: 1) Sector Map prepared for December 13-14, 1999 National Standards Strategy meeting.

 ANSI and NIST staff. 11-25.

2) “Country Commercial Guides”. National Trade Data Bank.

<http://www.stat-usa.gov/Tradtest.nsf?OpenDatabase> (16 September 1999).
66

Endnotes

1. Prepared Remarks, J. Herbert Hollomon, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Science and

Technology. International Panel on Global Standardization. April, 1964.

2. United States Trade Representative, 1997 Trade Policy Agenda and 1996 Annual Report of the

President of the United States on the Trade Agreements Program (Washington, DC: 1997) 42-43. 

3. Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee, The National Export Strategy, Toward the Next American

Century: A U.S. Strategic Response to Foreign Competitive Practices (Fourth Annual Report to the United

States Congress) (Washington, DC: 1996) 135.

4. National Research Council, Standards, Conformity Assessment and Trade Into the 21st Century

(Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1995) 162.

5. Patrick W. Cooke, (NBSIR 84-2886) Benefits Perceived by U.S. Industry From Participating in

International Standards Activities (Gaithersburg, MD: National Bureau of Standards, 1984).

6. Trade Agreements Act (P.L. 96-39) (1979) Title IV, Section 413.

7. Uruguay Round Trade Agreements Act (P.L. 103-465) (1994), Subtitle F, Section 351.

8. Office of Management and Budget, Circular A-119; Federal Participation in the Development and

Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities (Federal Register, February

19, 1998).

9. Memorandum of Understanding between the American National Standards Institute and the National

Institute of Standards and Technology (1998) 

10. “U.S. Exports to the World”. International Trade Administration Homepage.

<http://www.ita.doc.gov> (12 December 1999).

11. “Raising Standards for the World: ISO’s long-range strategies 1996-1998”. ISO Homepage.

<http://www.iso.ch/presse/strategy/strategy.html#RTFToC1> (16 April 1999).

12. “U.S. Exports to the World”. International Trade Administration Homepage.

<http://www.ita.doc.gov> (12 December 1999).

13. Ibid.

14. World Bank, Entering the 21st Century: World Development Report 1999/2000 (Washington, DC:

1999).

15. “Introduction to ISO”. ISO Homepage. <http://www.iso.ch/infoe/intro.htm> (16 April 1999).

16. “ISO Members”. ISO Homepage. <http://www.iso.ch/infoe/member.htm> (21April 1999).

17. International Organization for Standardization, ISO in Figures (Geneva: ISO Central Secretariat,

1998).
67

18. Ibid.

19. International Organization for Standardization, ISO Members (Eighth Edition) (Geneva: ISO Central

Secretariat, 1996).

20. “Stages of the Development of International Standards”. ISO Homepage.

<http://www.iso.ch/infoe/proc.html> (12 December 1999).

21. “World Development Indicators 1999 - Table 3.7: Energy Production and Use”. World Bank

Homepage. <http://www.worldbank.org> (28 October 1999). 

22. International Electrotechnical Commission, IEC Annual Report, (Geneva: IEC Central Office, 1998)

23. Ibid

24. ISO Homepage. <http://www.iso.ch> (12 December 1999)

25. Patrick W. Cooke, NBSIR 88-3698 A Review of U.S. Participation in International Standards

Activities (Gaithersburg, MD: National Bureau of Standards, 1988).

26. International Organization for Standardization, ISO Memento (Geneva: ISO Central Secretariat, 1962-

1998).

27. Ibid.

28. Cooke, A Review of U.S. Participation in International Standards Activities.

29. U.S. National Committee, Secretariats of IEC Technical Committees and Subcommittees (New

York:1999).

30. “ISO Homepage Press Releases”. ISO Homepage. <http://www.iso.ch/presse/presse17.htm> (14

November 1999).
68

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