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| Basic Standards Development Process |
A general understanding of the IEC and how it operates and the many ways an individual can participate in not only the IEC but also in the US National Committee of the IEC
(USNC). |
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Introduction
The first part of this series of articles provided
a general understanding of the IEC and how it operates. Often
more confusing though, to a new participant in the IEC, is the
overall standards making process. This article will provide
information on how to process an idea from its initial
conception as a proposal, through its final publication as an
international standard. Although there are several procedures
in the IEC process for expediting development and approval of
standards, based on the needs of industry, this article will
address only the principle stages involved in the preparation
of an IEC standard or a revision to an existing standard.
More detailed information on the drafting
of international standards is covered in the following three
IEC Directives:
Part 1: Procedures for the technical
work
Part 2: Methodology
Part 3: Rules for the structure and
drafting of international standards
Once the process is understood, the next
question is, "How do I as an electrical inspector get my
ideas and proposals included in this development
process?" The final part of this article will outline the
many ways an individual can participate in not only the IEC
but also in the US National Committee of the IEC (USNC).
What is the IEC
Standards Making Process?
As previously mentioned, there are streamlined
procedures in the IEC which have been introduced to allow
flexibility in the standards development process in order to
get technical documentation into the marketplace quicker.
Typically, these procedures allow for elimination of various
stages in the process depending on the consensus of the
committee and the need of the industry sector involved.
Following is a table,
which summarizes the full six-stage process involved in the
preparation of a new IEC standard or a revision to an existing
standard. A brief description of each stage, along with its
approval requirements, is given following the table.
Preliminary Stage
This stage is for those projects which are envisioned
for the future. They are not yet at the mature stage where
they may proceed to further development. They may need better
definition of the project or more testing or data collection
before they can enter the overall standardization process.
Proposal Stage
A proposal for new work
typically comes from a specific industry through their
National Committee. When submitting a NP, the proposer should
make every effort to supply either a draft or outline of the
proposal. They are also requested to nominate a Project
Leader. The proposal is then circulated through all members of
the respective Technical Committee or Subcommittee for a
three-month ballot. The NP is approved if a simple majority of
the P-members (Participating) vote positively and a minimum of
four or 25% of the P-members agree to actively participate in
the work and nominate experts.
Preparatory Stage
Once a NP is approved, responsibility for development
of a Working Draft (WD) is delegated to a group of experts in
a Working Group (WG). In most cases, the WD is prepared by the
Project Leader of the WG (also referred to as Convenor in some
WGs). This stage is complete when the WG has reached consensus
on the draft and it is ready for circulation to the Technical
Committee or subcommittee as a Committee Draft for Comment
(CD).
Committee Stage
During this consensus-building stage, the CD is
circulated to all P- and O-members of the Technical Committee
or Subcommittee for comments. Once all comments have been
resolved and consensus reached, the CD is ready to proceed to
the next stage. Prior to being circulated as a Committee Draft
for Vote (CDV); however, the draft must be in bilingual text,
both English and French.
Enquiry Stage
At the enquiry stage, the bilingual CDV is circulated
to all members for a five month voting period. This is the
last stage where technical comments can be submitted. The CDV
is approved if a two-thirds majority of the P-members are in
favor and not more than one quarter of the votes cast by all
members are negative. After the comments are addressed and
resolved by the Committee, a revised version is prepared for
circulation as a Final Draft International Standard (FDIS).
Approval Stage
At the approval stage, the FDIS is circulated to all
members for a two-month voting period. At this time, members
have to be very definitive in their voting; either positive,
negative or abstention. Positive votes cannot include any
comments. Negative votes should be accompanied by technical
reasons substantiating the vote. The FDIS is approved if a
two-thirds majority of the P-members are in favor and not more
than one-quarter of the votes cast by all members are
negative. If the FDIS is approved, it is then published. If it
is not approved, it is referred back to the Technical
Committee or Subcommittee for reconsideration.
Publication Stage
This stage is the sole responsibility of the IEC
Central Office. Within two months following the approval of
the FDIS, they publish and circulate the International
Standard.
U.S Participation
in the IEC Standards Making Process
As mentioned in the previous article, full members of
the IEC are National Committees. The official US member,
through ANSI, is the United States National Committee of the
IEC (USNC). ANSI does not develop any US positions; they only
facilitate position development by establishing consensus
among accredited US Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs). ANSI
ensures that the TAGs follow its guiding principles of
consensus, due process and openness.
Within the USNC, a TAG exists for each IEC
TC or SC where the US is a P- or O- member. TAG membership is
open to all "US national interested parties." ANSI
defines a US National interested party in its Rules of
Procedure as, "any individual located in the United
States, representing an organization, company, government
agency or themselves, including US branch offices of foreign
companies, that is directly or materially affected by the
relevant standards activity." The primary purpose of a
TAG is the development and submission (through ANSI) of US
positions on all the activities and ballots of the respective
IEC committee.
Among the various responsibilities of a
TAG, which are outlined in ANSI’s Rules of Procedure, is the
nomination of US experts, project leaders and convenors to
serve on IEC Working Groups. Each TAG will also select a
Technical Advisor (TA), who serves as the chair of the group
and is responsible for overall participation in the
international committee’s work. Also in some cases, a TAG
will appoint a Deputy Technical Advisor (DTA) to assist the TA
in the everyday work of the group.
How do I
participate in the IEC Standards Making Process?
The only way to influence the technical content of
proposed international standards is to ensure strong US
participation.
There are many areas in both the USNC and
the IEC where you can participate as an electrical inspector.
IAEI members can participate in the USNC by becoming a member
of the TAG for the IEC committee that has the responsibility
for their technical area of interest. This is easily
accomplished by contacting either the TA for the TAG or the
Secretary of the USNC. (This information is available on the
ANSI website at www.ansi.org) In some cases, TAGs are further
broken down into WGs that correspond with the relevant IEC WGs.
This also allows for further participation. There also exists
the opportunity of becoming appointed as a TA or DTA of a TAG,
once an opportunity comes available. IAEI does participate at
the USNC management level, but an inspector’s expertise at
the technical level is needed.
If you want direct involvement in the IEC
standards making process, there are opportunities for
participation in the IEC TCs, SCs and WGs. Since members of
these committees are typically nominated and appointed by the
respective TAG, it is recommended that you also actively
participate in the corresponding TAG to the IEC committee of
interest.
Summary
In the first two articles of this series, we’ve
covered the IEC, its structure, the standards making process,
and most importantly, where and how you can participate in
activities that affect the electrical inspection community and
the overall electrical industry.
You are probably thinking, "Okay, I
now understand the IEC, the USNC and how I can participate,
but why should I?" The final part of this series will
cover the relationship of the IEC to world trade and the
interaction between the IEC and the North American electrical
safety system and how this impacts the inspection community.
Lori L. Tennant is the
senior standards engineer, international for Square D
Company/Schneider Electric North America where she is
responsible for the overall coordination of company
activities related to International Standards as well as
coordinating all USNC involvement. She is also a member
of NFPA and has represented the company in the
electrical inspector community through the International
Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI).
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