1. The IEC and International Standards as enablers of technolgy transfer
Gabriel Barta
IEC delegate to the UN

2. The World of Standards International: IEC, ISO, ITU, UNECE Regional:
Africa (e.g. AFSEC, SADC)
Americas (e.g. COPANT, MERCOSUR)
Asia-Pacific (e.g. ASEAN, PASC)
Europe (e.g. CENELEC, ETSI)
National bodies/committees
(e.g. Tunisia, Italy, France, USA)
Shows the structure of standardization in the world today.
International
Regional
National – very often an NSB (ISO), and a National Committee (IEC).
Examples given are IEC NCs in the Americas

3. International, quasi-governmental org.
What is the IEC?
International, quasi-governmental org.
World leader in preparing International Standards for “electrotechnology”
All electrical, electronic & related technologies
Also operates IECEE, IECEx and IECQ
Global conformity assessment systems
Testing, certification and approval
Equipment, systems and components
Environment, safety, performance, efficiency

4. IEC in Figures IEC countries (members + affiliates) 76 + 83 = 159
Number of technical committees
Number of working groups
Number of experts
Number of publications in catalogue
Number of pubs. issued in a year
Conformity assessment systems
Valid certificates
HQ in Geneva; other regional offices:
= 159
174
~ 1 000
~ 9 000
6 027 3 4

5. IEC is already relevant to PAM countries
A large majority (81 %) of PAM members are IEC members
PAM members, with IEC members shown as Country (“AM” = Associate Member):
Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AM), Croatia, Cyprus (AM), Egypt, France, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (AM), Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan (AM), Lebanon, Libya, Malta (AM), Monaco, Montenegro (AM), Morocco (AM), Palestine, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Syria, Tunisia (AM), Turkey
Active participation is a different question

6. “What does this have to do with us?”
Standards allow industrial development & trade by creating a level playing field
Experts’ involvement raises national expertise, brings companies up-to-date
So standards are an essential tool for technology transfer
Standards also play role in mitigating risks
Including how to avoid or minimize the consequences of catastrophic events

7. National Committees (NCs) of the IEC
NCs participate in standards development
They represent all interests in their country
Industry: manufacturers — suppliers
Industry: users — customers
Government and regulators
Academia
Testing laboratories
Consumer associations
End users

8. Parliamentary actions for trade & economic development
The IEC proposes to Parliaments:
To adopt a Resolution
To create. support or broaden (as relevant) the National Committee of the IEC
To facilitate its participation in the Technical Committees active in nationally strategic areas
To assure a budget for training of experts & for participation in standards development

9. Thank you