Dependability is used only for general descriptions in non-quantitative terms.
It is the international standardization agency for the fields of electricity, electronics and related technologies. By agreement with ISO, the other major international standards organization, IEC has responsibility for developing Dependability standards while ISO, has responsibility for Quality Standards. Over 100 countries are members of the IEC and each country participates through its National Committee. TC 56 is the IEC Technical Committee charged with developing and maintaining Dependability standards and related documents. The US is one of 23 countries engaged in TC 56 work.