Procedures for the development of international standards

Abstract

Recently the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) have adopted new procedures for the development of standards. These procedures should result in a radical shortening of the lead time to develop standards, in half. These new procedures will be discussed in detail.The IEC and ISO procedures are essentially the same. The minor differences will be noted. The IEC guidelines for the drafting of safety standards will also be discussed.The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and European Committee of Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) have similar procedures for the development of standards. Basic agreements exist between these European Community (EC) standards, bodies and their international counterparts, ISO and IEC. These relationships and their impact on the development of international standards will be explored.Recently the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) have adopted new procedures for the development of standards. These procedures should result in a radical shortening of the lead time to develop standards, in half. These new procedures will be discussed in detail.The IEC and ISO procedures are essentially the same. The minor differences will be noted. The IEC guidelines for the drafting of safety standards will also be discussed.The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and European Committee of Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) have similar procedures for the development of standards. Basic agreements exist between these European Community (EC) standards, bodies and their international counterparts, ISO and IEC. These relationships and their impact on the development of international standards will be explored.