1. How an idea becomes an IEC standard Gary Johnson Chairman IEC SC45A kg6un@alumni.calpoly.edu

2. Caveats This presentation focuses on: – Development of International Standards IEC produces other kinds of standards products but they are not common in SC45A – The “normal” process Rare cases, disapproval, and iteration aren’t described – A broad overview Certain details are left out or glossed over If you want the full story see the ISO/IEC directives. – http://www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs/

3. Some Basic Points Working Group Members National Committees IEC standards are developed by a collection of National Committees The National Committees delegate experts participate in the working groups In the working groups the delegate’s positions represent their own opinions The Delegates produce the documents The National Committees make the decisions Often the National Committees’ deliberations consider opinions other than those of their Working Group delegates’ National Committee opinions are not always the same as their delegates’

4. New Work Item Proposal Input – An idea Typical Process – The idea is discussed within the Working Group – A National Committee identifies a Project Leader – The project leader prepares a New Work Item Proposal* Often with the help of a small group – The draft proposal is discussed within the WG – The project leader’s national committee or the SC45A Secretary submits the proposal Decision point – The National Committee either decides to submit to IEC Output – A New Work Item Proposal sent to each National Committee along with any comments from the SC officers Next step – Review of New Work Item Proposal *The New Work Item Proposal normally includes a first draft of the proposed standard (at least within 6 months of approval)

5. Review of New Work Item Proposal Input – New Work Item Proposal Typical Process – Each member country discusses the proposal and develops: A voting position Comments Decision Point – The New Work item Proposal is Approved if 50% of P-members vote yes AND 5 P-members that voted yes name an expert from their country who will participate in the development Output – Approved New Work item Proposal – Vote results – National Committee comments Next step (if approved) – Committee Draft

6. Development of a committee draft Input – Approved New Work item Proposal Typical Process – The Project Leader refines the working draft with the help of a small team – The draft is discussed within the Working Group – Repeat – Working drafts are internal to the working group until: Decision Point – A working draft is submitted for review as a Committee Draft if: The Working Group believes that it is ready for National Committee review & The SC45A Secretary and Chairman concur Output – Committee draft sent to each National Committee Next step – Review of Committee Draft

7. Review of Committee Draft Input – Committee Draft Typical Process – Each National Committee discusses the Committee Draft and develops comments Decision Point – None for this step Output – Comments from each National Committee Next step – Committee Draft for Vote

8. Committee draft for vote Input – Committee Draft – Comments from each National Committee Typical Process – Project leader proposed resolutions where possible – Comments and resolutions are discussed within the Working Group – Secretariat prepares a Compilation of Comments – Secretariat reviews resolutions they are formally sent to each National Committee – A proposed Committee Draft for Vote is prepared – SC45A secretary creates French language version. – National committees may prepare their own translations in parallel Decision Point – A Committee Draft for Vote is submitted if: The Working Group believes all member country comments have been appropriately addressed AND The SC45A Secretary and Chairman concur Output – Committee Draft for Vote (both French and English) sent to each National Committee Next step – Committee Draft for Vote with National Committee votes and comments

9. Review of Committee Draft for Vote Input – Committee Draft for Vote Typical Process – Each National Committee discusses the CDV and develops: A voting position Comments Decision Point – The Committee Draft for Vote is is Approved if 2/3 of P-members vote yes AND No more than ¼ of all members vote no Output – Approved Committee Draft for Vote – Vote results – Comments Next step – Final Draft International Standard

10. Final Draft International Standard Input – Approved Committee Draft for Vote – Comments from each National Committee Typical Process – Project leader prepares proposed resolutions where possible – Comments and resolutions are discussed within the working group – Secretariat prepares a compilation of the comments on the CDV – Compilation of comments & resolutions are sent to each National Committee – A Final Draft International Standard is prepared – SC45A Secretary updates French language version – Decision Point – None. Approved CDV goes direct to FDIS once comments are addressed Output – Final Draft International Standard sent to each National Committee Next step – Final Draft International Standard with National Committee votes and comments

11. Review of Final Draft International Standard Input – Final Draft International Standard Typical Process – Each National Committee discusses the FDIS and develops: A voting position Comments – Technical comments require a NEGATIVE vote Decision Point – The Committee Draft is is Approved if 2/3 of P-members vote yes AND No more than ¼ of all members vote no Output – Approved Final Draft International Standard – Comments Next step (if approved) – Final International Standard for Publication

12. International Standard for Publication Input – Approved FDIS – Comments from each member country Typical Process – Technical comments are retained for consideration during the next revision – SC45A Secretary updates French language version Decision point – None. Approved FDIS is finalized and published Output – Approved standard for final editing, formatting, and publication by IEC Central Office Next step – Publication!! Whew!

13. Timeline 012345 Committee Draft Committee Draft for Vote Final Draft Publication Proposal & Working Draft Vote and Comment Period Comment Period Compiled comments & Observations Vote and Comment Period Compiled comments & Observations Vote Period Projects not completed in 5 years are canceled Document Circulation (we have some discretion) Review Lags (cast in concrete) Approximate time of SC45A Meetings The Standards Management Board monitors progress and challenges slow projects Projects not to CDV in 2 years are challenged years