SMB/3442/INF

For IEC use only

2007-03-16

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

STANDARDIZATION MANAGEMENT BOARD

SUBJECT
Revised IEC Standardization Management Board (SMB) Standardization Strategy - 2005-2007

BACKGROUND
The SMB chairman at SMB 128 meeting, informed the SMB of the results of the SMB ahG 19
meeting held on 2007-02-23 to review in more detail the SMB strategy plan to ensure consistency
with the revised IEC Masterplan 2006. A few minor modifications were made (indicated in colour)
and are submitted to the SMB for information.
The SMB Strategy implementation goals and action plans were also reviewed, many of which are
in progress or have been completed, and these will be circulated to the SMB for input before the
SMB meeting and discussion at the meeting.

ACTION
The SMB is invited to note the attached revised SMB strategy plan.

JL/3442e.pdf

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IEC Standardization Management Board (SMB)

Standardization Strategy - 2005-2007 - AC/28/2005 - SMB/2907B/R
Revised VERSION - 2007-03-08

I.

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 -- 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.

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II.

SMB Responsibility

The SMB is the body of the IEC responsible for the overall management of IECs technical
work. Its role, as defined in the Statutes of the organization, 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.

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I.

Vision
IEC standards, the key to facilitating global trade.

II. 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.

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III. Strategic Objectives

The following strategic objectives have been established in support of IECs 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.

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IV. Strategic Objectives - 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 process is not yet fully embraced. Regional
differences create market access problems and can also create non-tariff barriers to trade.
The majority of top management of industry is not aware of the market relevance and
importance of IEC standards with respect to structure process an services.
Goal # 1
To ensure the market relevance of IEC standards, the SMB needs to take responsible
initiatives such as:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Objective 2

Implement the Global Relevance Policy and its implementation procedure

and monitor its success.
Develop criteria for the market relevance evaluation and standards impact
analysis,
Critically evaluate the relevance of TC/SC SPSs and all work items.
Measure actual use of standards and their market penetration.
Provide training for TC/SC Chairs and Secretaries.

Gain worldwide acceptance and use of IEC standards, whenever

possible without modifications

Issue # 2 Industry involvement

Industry leaders do not always perceive global recognition of IECs technical work as an
advantage to their business growth.
In some circles, the IEC is perceived as having regional biases, both structural and
technical.

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Goal # 2
Gain the promotion of worldwide acceptance and use of IEC standards by:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Objective 3

Continuously reviewing and updating the IEC Directives and other

governing documents to assure that they reflect current industry
needs.
Improving transparency and openness in the technical work.
Ensuring that proposals for new work address the business benefits.
Maintaining worldwide reference database of IEC standards adoptions
and modifications.
Evaluating the reasons why IEC standards are not implemented at
national levels.

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)
b)

Objective 4

Support NCs in recruiting experts to the IEC work.

Links with international organizations setting standards used in
regulations.

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 (Presidents Advisory Committee on Future
Technology) is an advisory body to the President on how the IEC can fulfill industrys
future standards. One of the tasks of the SMB is to assess future technologies and advise
the IEC of potential standardization opportunities.

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Goal # 4A
Identify new areas where standards are needed and promote their development through:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Input from industry groups such as ICSCA

Annual strategic meetings with key industry trade groups and other SDOs
Input from academia and research institutes
Cooperation with PACT

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

Objective 5

Increased industry input by exploring potential new work with industrial

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

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)
b)

Objective 6

Development and use of common services and resources while

maintaining an independent structure.
Comparing Best Practices and adopting where necessary.

Apply deliverables to meet the needs of market sectors and optimize

existing resources including increased collaboration with other
bodies

Deliverables such as ITAs and PASs are not widely used or recognized.

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Goal # 6 Recognition of other deliverables

Encourage TCs/SCs to include ITAs and PASs and other deliverables within their scopes
as required by the market through:
a)
b)

Applying reasonable analysis to all proposals relating to ITAs and PASs

for market need, commercial viability and technical merit.
Cooperating with standards bodies that have sufficient global reach to
develop dual logo standards in fields not under consideration within IECs
current work programme.

Objective 7

Improve and broaden the System Approach, processes and structure

Issue # 7 Promoting system 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 fulfill 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)
b)
c)
d)

Objective 8

Implement the plan for the application of the System Approach in IEC
Standardization and closely monitor its adherence.
Providing training of TC/SC Officers.
Promotion at the TC/SC Secretary Forums
Promoting of the concept through examples on the IEC Website

Improve operational effectiveness and efficiency of the IEC

standardization process without decreasing the high quality of IEC
standards

Issue # 8 Improving efficiency

In todays 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.

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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)
b)
c)

Shortening the time for standardization work through maximum use of IT

tools.
Adapting approval processes to assure on-time delivery of the end-product.
Improve ways of communication with all IEC members.

Goal # 8B
Continue to improve 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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