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I n t e r n a t i o n a l E l e c t r o t e ch n i c a l C omm i s s i o n

SMB Standardization Strategy 2005-2007 2 / 12 SMB/2907B/R

SMB Standardization Strategy

The IEC Council Board approved the final version of the SMB Standardization Strategy in June 2005. The contents of this publication are the same as given in CB/333/DV. The SMB Strategy is based on the IEC Masterplan 2000. The Strategy will be adjusted, if necessary, to ensure no conflict with the next edition of the IEC Masterplan. Table of contents Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 3 SMB responsibility................................................................................................................ 4 Vision ................................................................................................................................... 5 Mission statement ................................................................................................................ 5 Strategic objectives .............................................................................................................. 6 Issues and goals .................................................................................................................. 7 Issue 1. Improving the relevance of IEC Standards ............................................ 7 Issue 2. Industry involvement.............................................................................. 7 Issue 3. Stakeholder participation ...................................................................... 8 Issue 4. Emerging technologies .......................................................................... 8 Issue 5. Cooperation with others......................................................................... 9 Issue 6. Recognition of other deliverables .......................................................... 9 Issue 7. Promoting systems approach .............................................................. 10 Issue 8. Improving efficiency............................................................................. 10


IEC Standardization Management Board (SMB)

Standardization Strategy – 2005-2007

Introduction

The globalization of national economies is increasing the need for internationally accepted standards. Emerging technical industries are looking to IEC, ISO and ITU for their standardization programs. While one of the major strengths of IEC is the global recognition of its technical work -- standardization needs must be constantly reassessed due to several trends in the marketplace:

• Efficiency of operations – Economic trends worldwide have forced industries to make their

operations more efficient and more flexible in order to stay competitive and sustainable. Standardization activities need to be equally responsive and flexible.

• Rapid technological development – Fast-moving technologies and short product life cycles

are resulting in the development of standardization deliverables by fora and consortia that do not comply with all the basic principles of the IEC system.

• Regulatory implications – Regulators are increasingly making use of voluntary standards

elevating them to the status of technical regulations. This trend is furthered by WTO/TBT requirements to harmonize technical regulations internationally based on International Standards placing even more emphasis on the IEC for quality work products.

• Regional considerations – While the principles of electrical safety around the world are the

same, installed electrical infrastructures in large regions or markets can vary to accommodate regional differences. Excluding such technologies prevents worldwide acceptance of IEC Standards.

• Recognition – Consumer and end-user awareness of standards in the development and

marketing of products and the associated intellectual property rights is increasing the demand for participation and cost-effective resources.

• Direct access – as Global companies are looking for direct participation. Large standards

developing organizations demand recognition. These trends could have a significant impact on the present IEC system.

• Derivative usage – IEC Standards are increasingly being used in IEC Conformity

Assessment Schemes.

• Return on investment – Large multinational companies are increasingly viewing their participation in the standards development process as a financial investment and therefore will be seeking an acceptable return on their investment.


SMB responsibility The SMB is the body of the IEC responsible for the overall management of IEC’s technical work. Its role, as defined in the IEC Statutes, is to approve the establishment, dissolution and scopes of technical committees, monitor the timeliness of standards development and maintenance and maintain liaisons with other international and regional organizations. It also deals with matters of strategic planning, coordination, performance and monitoring of technical committee activities. It is comprised of 15 representatives (and alternates). The SMB has formulated this strategy in response to a range of issues that have risen in the course of its business and following the direction of the IEC Masterplan 2000. The SMB strategy is also intended to provide additional input to the revision of the IEC Masterplan. A basic condition for achieving the objectives of this strategic plan is a commitment by members of the SMB in particular and by all IEC National Committees in general to implement SMB decisions and to provide feedback to the SMB Secretariat about the appropriateness of SMB decisions in helping to achieve the strategic objectives.

The SMB has a duty to ensure the production of globally accepted standards in the timescale required by industry at a cost acceptable to them. The SMB Standardization Strategy including its implementation plan will be reviewed at least annually.


Vision

IEC Standards,

the key to facilitating global trade

Mission statement

To be recognized as the leader in the development of

Globally accepted standards for products and services in the fields of electricity, electronics and

associated technologies that are market relevant and

in the best interests of the industry and the users of its products and services


Strategic objectives The following strategic objectives have been established in support of IEC’s mission in the areas affected by electro-technical standardization:

1. Ensure the development of market relevant IEC Standards

2. Support the promotion of worldwide acceptance and use of IEC Standards, whenever

possible without modifications.

3. Ensure representation in the IEC structure and processes from all sectors, levels and

material interests in the industry.

4. Provide leadership in the development of IEC Standards for emerging and converging

technologies.

5. Reduce the costs for participation in the standards development process

6. Apply the most appropriate deliverables to meet the needs of market sectors and optimize

existing resources including increased collaboration with other bodies.

7. Improve and broaden the System Approach, processes and structure.

8. Improve operational effectiveness and efficiency of all IEC standardization processes

without decreasing the high quality of IEC Standards.


Issues and goals Objective 1. Ensure the development of market relevant IEC Standards Issue 1. Improving the relevance of IEC Standards Criteria for measuring the market relevance of IEC Standards have not been completely developed. Implementation of the Global Relevance (EDR) process is not yet fully embraced. Regional differences create market access problems and can also create non-tariff barriers to trade. Market relevance with respect to structure, process and services is not known to the top management of industry...

Goal 1 __________________________________ To ensure the market relevance of IEC Standards, the SMB needs to take responsible initiatives such as:

a) Support the Global Relevance Policy and its implementation procedure for EDRs

and monitor its success. b) Develop criteria for the market relevance evaluation and standards impact

analysis, c) Critically evaluate the relevance of TC/SC SPSs and all work items. d) Measure actual use of standards and their market penetration. e) Provide training for TC/SC Chairs and Secretaries.

Objective 2. Support the promotion of worldwide acceptance and use of

IEC Standards, whenever possible without modifications Issue 2. Industry involvement Industry leaders do not always perceive global recognition of IEC’s technical work as an advantage to their business growth. In some circles, the IEC is perceived as having regional biases, both structural and technical.

Goal 2 __________________________________ To support the promotion of worldwide acceptance and use of IEC Standards by:

a) Continuously reviewing and updating the IEC Directives and other governing documents to assure that they reflect current industry needs.

b) Improving transparency and openness in the technical work. c) Ensuring that proposals for new work address the business benefits. d) Maintaining worldwide reference database of IEC Standards adoptions and

modifications. e) Evaluating the reasons why IEC Standards are not implemented at national levels.


Objective 3. Ensure representation in the IEC structure and processes from all sectors, levels and material interests in the industry

Issue 3. Stakeholder participation Increasing awareness of regulators, industry representatives, consumers and users on such matters as safety, compatibility and environment leads to the broadest possible stakeholder participation including developing countries.

Goal 3 __________________________________ Promote the development of IEC Standards that reflect the views of all stakeholders (e.g. including consumers) and other users and further their participation in the process through:

a) Support NCs in recruiting experts to the IEC work. b) Links with international organizations setting standards used in regulations

Objective 4. Provide leadership in the development of IEC Standards

for emerging and converging technologies Issue 4. Emerging technologies Emerging and converging technologies require standardization more rapidly as the technologies develop. The IEC PACT (President’s Advisory Committee on Future Technology) is an advisory body to the President on how the IEC can fulfil industry’s future standards. One of the tasks of the SMB is to assess future technologies and advise the IEC of potential standardization opportunities.

Goal 4A __________________________________ In cooperation with PACT, identify new areas where standards are needed and promote their development through:

a) Input from industry groups such as ICSCA. b) Annual strategic meetings with key industry trade groups and other SDOs. c) Input from academia and research institutes


Goal 4B __________________________________ Support new deliverables for fast-moving technologies without impeding the full consensus process, through:

a) Increased industry input by exploring potential new work with industrial consortia.

b) Seeking other mechanisms to offer industry direct use of the IEC to meet its needs.

Objective 5. Reduce the costs for participation in the standards

development process Issue 5. Cooperation with others Converging technologies in several sectors (in particular IT, telecommunications and consumer electronics) are creating a strain on the traditional delineation of responsibilities between IEC, ISO and ITU.

Goal 5 __________________________________ The SMB should ensure, together with its peer organizations that the best and most efficient utilization of available resources would be made through:

a) Development and use of common services and resources while maintaining an independent structure.

b) Comparing ”Best Practices” and adopting where necessary. Objective 6. Apply deliverables to meet the needs of market sectors and

optimize existing resources including increased collaboration with other bodies

Issue 6. Recognition of other deliverables Deliverables such as ITAs and PASs are not widely used or recognized.

Goal 6 __________________________________ Encourage TCs/SCs to include ITAs and PASs and other deliverables within their scopes as required by the market through:

a) Applying reasonable analysis to all proposals relating to ITAs and PASs for market need, commercial viability and technical merit.

b) Cooperating with standards bodies that have sufficient global reach to develop dual logo standards in fields where IEC is not active.


Objective 7. Improve and broaden the systems approach, processes

and structure Issue 7. Promoting systems approach The increasing importance of system aspects in IEC Standards is the result of the changing marketplace. A TC with Product function standardizes its products indicating their characteristics. A TC with System function recognizes and cross-references, when applicable, to the product standards. If the requirements do not fulfil its need the System TC discusses with the Product TC the need for system standardization.

Goal 7 __________________________________ Improve awareness among TCs/SCs to allow coherent cooperation between Product TCs and System TCs. Among the important measures are:

a) Developing an implementation plan for the application of the System Approach in IEC standardization and closely monitor its adherence.

b) Providing training of TC/SC Officers. c) Promotion at the TC/SC Secretary Forums d) Promoting of the concept through examples on the IEC Website

Objective 8. Improve operational effectiveness and efficiency of the IEC

standardization process without decreasing the high quality of IEC Standards

Issue 8. Improving efficiency In today’s fast-moving and highly competitive markets, industry is reluctant to participate and invest in the traditional ways of standards development. Exchanges in the global marketplace have become increasingly electronic.

Goal 8A __________________________________ Facilitate effective use of IT tools and web-based tools for on-line meetings, document exchanges surveys, etc, and utilize on-line collaborative authoring tools to develop standards, minimize costs and maximize members’ ability to participate.

Among the most important measures are:

a) Shortening the time for technical work through maximum use of IT tools. b) Adapting approval processes to assure on-time delivery of the end-

product. c) Improve communication means with all IEC members.


Goal 8B __________________________________ Implement recommendations of SMB Ad Hoc Group # 17 regarding the entire process of development time from initial phase to publication setting goals and monitoring progress. Goal 8C __________________________________ Obtain stakeholders views on present structure of standardization process.

a) Critically review the relevance, missions and scopes of Sector Boards, Advisory Committees and TCs to the current needs of the IEC.

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