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Withdrawal of CBTL UL International Italia Milano

NCB UL International Demko has withdrawn CBTL UL International Italia Milano from the CB Scheme. The activities of CBTL UL International Italia Milano have been transferred to CBTL Sicur Control for efficiency reasons

BSN, Indonesia joins the IECEE and becomes Member Body

The IECEE is pleased to welcome the National Standardization Agency, Indonesia - BSN - as the 44th Member Body of the IECEE.

KEBS, Kenya joins the IECEE and becomes Member Body

The IECEE is pleased to welcome Kenya Bureau of Standards - KEBS - as the 43rd Member Body of the IECEE.

Logo Change: KEMA replaces the old logo

NCB KEMA has replaced their previous logo with this new logo:

Logo Change: SGS Belgium NV - Division SGS CEBEC replaces the old logo

Following the merge of CEBEC and SGS Belgium in January 2005, NCB SGS Belgium NV - Division SGS CEBEC has replaced the previous logo with this new logo:

Name Change: TUV Product Services Asia Ltd. becomes TÜV Hong Kong Ltd. - TÜV SÜD Group

Following a global strategy change in TÜV SÜD, CBTL TUV Product Services Asia Ltd. currently operating under the NCB TÜV Product Service GmbH adopted the new company name TÜV Hong Kong Ltd. - TÜV SÜD Group

Efficient access to global markets at minimal cost: the IECEE CB Scheme

Pierre de Ruvo is the Executive Secretary of the IECEE, the Worldwide System for Conformity Testing and Certification of Electrical Equipment. The IECEE operates the CB Scheme, a multilateral agreement among Certification Bodies & Testing Laboratories around the world that recognize each other’s tests and test certificates. The aim is to reduce costs to manufacturers by reducing technical barriers to trade such as multiple testing for multiple markets.

Q: How has the world of conformity assessment changed over the past 20 years?

A: There have been three big changes that are the result of globalization, all of them having to do with the need for faster market access, greater rigour and efficiency, and consistency among the NCBs and CBTLs.* The markets have changed from being national or regional to being global. Conformity assessment is a tool that provides access to markets, so change comes as a result of pressure by industry to access markets more easily.

About 20 years ago manufacturers had to have a conformity assessment mark for each country that they wanted to access, and in many cases conformity assessment fell under the regulatory area. But markets began to globalize and the old system came to be seen as inefficient. Europe with its regional schemes began using multilateral agreements and the CB Scheme came into being in 1985. By 1995, globalization was in full swing and the CB Scheme, which had not been as active as it could have been, started to become much more important. Since globalization began, there’s been a move towards simplifying things by means of a single test and a single certificate for entry into multiple markets. Along with globalization came liberalization. Markets moved from mandatory to voluntary testing. This means it’s the participants in the market who decide whether or not to require certification. Since they’re free to do so, they recognize the value in choosing third-party certification. Globalization and liberalization are still evolving and there are still different certification marks that are needed to access some markets, but CB Test Certificates play a great role in accessing these markets with their high acceptance and recognition by the relevant NCBs.

As for greater rigour, the IECEE focused on ensuring that peer assessment was really an in-depth and professional assessment and not just something cursory. The strength of the system relies on the competence of its members, so we have a fundamental interest in ensuring that each member measures up. We revisited our assessment procedure and made it much more intensive, focused on the real technical aspects with thorough documentation of the process.

Thirdly, manufacturers’ testing laboratories have been fully taken into account in the operation of the IECEE systems to ensure consistency in applying IEC standards for product compliance, which means that the safety issue for their products has been addressed thoroughly. As markets globalized, manufacturers needed to access global markets more efficiently and faster, so we developed new processes for them to do this: supervised manufacturer testing, testing at manufacturer’s premises, witnessed manufacturer testing, and recognized manufacturer testing, the latter being the most demanding for manufacturers in terms of capability.

Q: Where is conformity assessment heading in the next several years?

A: Predicting the future is very difficult, but I think it’s clear to all that we will continue with two basic trends. The market is very competitive and the CB Scheme helps manufacturers to, one, reduce costs and, two, shorten the time it takes to get to market. I don’t see these trends stopping any time in the near future, so the CB Scheme will develop new procedures to remain responsive to industry’s evolving needs and at the same time we’ll develop new business opportunities with the CB Full Certification Scheme (CB-FCS) and the factory inspections/audits which are an important part of it.

Q: In 2001 the CB Scheme issued 19 600 test certificates. In 2004 that figure rose to 38 000. Why is growth this strong?

A: More and more buyers and dealers are asking for proof of CB Scheme testing and certification from their suppliers, just as some industrializing countries are insisting that imported goods be certified by CB Scheme testing labs. So manufacturers find themselves required to show proof of compliance against IEC standards. It ensures that electrical products are safe and performing and that’s good for both manufacturers and their clients.

The CB Scheme is the global reference for certification and good marketing by CB Scheme members has a great deal to do with its success. When clients ask about the best way to enter new markets, our members tell them about the CB Scheme. I suspect that some of our expansion also has to do with our members’ clients talking to each other, promoting us by word-of-mouth. So a little like Coca-Cola, the CB Scheme has become a trademark in its own right.

Q: From the international trade perspective, what is the added value for a manufacturer to seek certification under the IECEE scheme?

A: The CB Scheme provides an international passport that gives faster access to markets and the assurance that the products comply with the IEC standards. Multiple testing and multiple certification slows down access to multiple markets. Having a single test and one or more certification marks giving access to multiple markets is far more efficient. In-depth peer assessment helps to ensure confidence-building among the members and confidence in accepting test results.

Q: Taking that point further, many developing nations have aired concerns that they are the potential dumping grounds for unsafe electrical equipment. Can the IECEE meet these concerns?

A: Let’s make it clear that the IECEE does not manufacture equipment, it coordinates and administers a worldwide system for testing electrical equipment.

For a country that has no electrotechnical industry and no recognized testing laboratory, the CB Scheme can still offer added value. These countries may wish to set rules for imported electrical products whereby only products that can show that they have been approved through the IECEE CB or FCS Schemes could be authorized to access their markets. South Africa is an example of a country that requires that imported electrical goods come with CB test certificates. The CB Scheme can easily work with countries that have mandatory certification and help to provide market access there.

Once industrialization starts and there is a nascent electrotechnical industry, then the CB Scheme has a great deal to offer as our test certificates will help to ensure the proof of compliance to IEC standards of both local goods for export as well as imported goods. An industrializing country with low labour costs and high-quality goods for export is in a very competitive position.

Q: How do you see the new IEC members benefiting from the IECEE? After all, if they are using IEC standards, should not the next step be the IECEE? What does IECEE membership bring to a country?

A: The IEC already has all of the world’s industrialized countries participating, so new members from now on will mostly be industrializing countries – those whose electrotechnical industry is beginning to develop. To be a member of the IECEE, you need to be a member of the IEC.** But what’s really worth noting is the very reasonable entrance fees and subsequent annual fees to maintain membership. Once a country is a member, it has access to almost all services and documents, can participate in all meetings and can develop its expertise in testing and certification with their counterparts.

There are very clear benefits to this and Malaysia is a good example as it started as a Member Body and then later added an NCB and an associated CBTL. By participating as a Member Body of the IECEE and learning about it, by meeting all kinds of people from testing labs and from industry, the Malaysian delegates developed a very good understanding of how it all works. They took this back to Malaysia with them and influenced government and industry there, so that now Malaysia is active in issuing and recognizing CB test certificates and has aligned its standards with those of the IEC. This signifies a real transfer of technology and knowledge.

Q: The recent agreement between IEC and ILAC benefits who and why? (please click here for full article regarding this agreement)

A: It benefits our members, the testing laboratories, as they are simultaneously members of the IECEE and customers of ILAC. The agreement has to do with harmonizing procedures and forms, carrying out joint assessments and common understanding of ISO/IEC 17025, which is the document that lays down the requirements of how an assessment is carried out. Instead of having to be assessed separately by both the CB Scheme and by ILAC, the assessment can be done just once. It’s cost effective and more efficient this way.

Q: How does the new ISO/IEC 17050 standard fit into the IECEE scheme?

A: The three IEC conformity assessment systems, and this includes the IECEE, are third-party systems, while supplier’s declaration of conformity is first-party conformity assessment. IECEE recognizes that for some industries, SDoC could be used and/or requested in some markets or regions in the global market, and in this respect SDoC could use a CB test report as a basis for the SDoC so in that sense it is complementary. However, the significant and substantial growth of the CB Scheme proves that independent, third-party certification is requested by the market as a reliable and independent proof of conformity to IEC standards.

* NCB: national certification body. CBTL: certification body test laboratory.

**Note: it’s possible to be a member of the IECEE and not of the IEC for an initial period of three years, although costs for doing this are higher than for IEC members.

WITHDRAWAL of Japanese CBTL UL Apex Co., Ltd. Yokohama Branch

Upon request of the NCB UL Apex, the following CBTL has been withdrawn from the CB Scheme:

UL Apex Co., Ltd.
Yokohama Branch
Technical Center
Yokohama Business Park
134 Godo-cho, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama-shi Kanagawa-ken, 240-0005 Japan

Phone: +81 45 342 1111
Fax: +81 45 342 1600
Website:
http://www.ul-asia.com
http://www.ulapex.jp

Entela Canada acquired by Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc. Canada

Intertek Services NA, Inc. Canada, has acquired Entela Inc. Canada.

Effective from 2005-01-01 CBTL QPS was transferred to be under the responsibility of NCB Intertek Testing Services NA , Inc. Canada.

IEC and ILAC agreement to improve efficiency and reduce assessment costs for testing laboratories

ILAC Chair Daniel Pierre (left) and IEC General Secretary Aharon Amit (right) sign a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize ties between the two organizations.

Background (left to right): CAB chairman Don Gray, IECEx Secretary Chris Agius, IECEE Executive Secretary Pierre de Ruvo and IECQ-CECC Secretary Richard Kay

The IEC and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that aims to improve efficiency and reduce assessment costs for testing laboratories. The agreement makes official a working relationship that had been operating informally since December 2003.

IEC General Secretary Aharon Amit and ILAC Chair Daniel Pierre signed the MoU at IEC Central Office in Geneva on 9 February 2005 . Commenting on the event, Amit said: “Formalizing our arrangement is important for the IEC because its means that by cementing ties with a highly respected market player we can reduce expenses for the stakeholders in our conformity assessment systems.” Daniel Pierre commented: “The laboratory community common to both the IEC Schemes and ILAC member accreditation have endured duplication of effort for too long. This cooperation, now formalized through the MoU, will go a long way to relieving this burden whilst enhancing the assessment process overall.”

In December 2002 the IECEE CB Scheme and ILAC member IANZ carried out their first joint assessment at Wakefield Laboratories in Auckland , New Zealand. Several other test labs have been through the same process with the CB Scheme and other ILAC member accreditation bodies since then. Recently, IECEx was involved in joint assessments with the National Association of Testing Authorities, the Australian ILAC member. Doing it this way makes the process more efficient and less costly because instead of two separate assessments covering the same activities, laboratories can have one joint assessment.

The IEC/ILAC MoU also covers the common understanding of ISO/IEC 17025 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, which is dealt with by the joint working group set up between the IEC Conformity Assessment Board (CAB) and ILAC. “This agreement helps to ensure that the standard is applied in the same way by both the IEC and ILAC,” says IEC CAB Chairman Don Gray, “which makes life easier for the testing laboratories.”

IECEE Executive Secretary Pierre de Ruvo said he is "looking forward to developing the relationship and working even more closely in the future with IECEE counterparts in ILAC based on a common view of the value of joint assessments."

 

ILAC is a forum for the development of laboratory accreditation practices, the promotion of laboratory accreditation, the assistance of developing accreditation systems, and the recognition of competent test facilities.

The IEC's three confirmity assessments systems are the IECEE for electrical equipment, the IECEx for electrical equipment used in explosive atmospheres and the IECQ-CECC for electronic components.

 

IECEE Treasurer Nomination

Dear IECEE Members,

During the next meeting that will be held in Shanghai, China and hosted by the CNCA and CQC, 26/27 June 2005, the CMC will have to formally proceed to nominate the Treasurer.

In accordance with the Basic Rules IECEE 01 § 8.5: The Treasurer is appointed for a period of three years by the CAB, on nomination by the CMC. He is immediately eligible twice for re-appointment in the same office, each time for a further period of three years. The Treasurer may at the same time be a national delegate to the CMC.
Fritz Beglinger, supported by the Officers, has expressed his willingness to continue for a third and final term of office.

You are however free to submit candidates if you so wish, in which case please send the nominations together with a detailed C.V. by 31 March 2005 to the IECEE Secretary for further process.

The IECEE-CMC Members are invited to submit nominations for the treasurer of the IECEE to the IECEE Secretariat.

Yours faithfully,
Pierre de Ruvo
Executive Secretary IECEE

New Product Category EMC Operational in the CB Scheme

As of January 31st 2005 the following NCBs and CBTLs are now EMC Operational:

NCB	CBTL
Electrosuisse	Electrosuisse
TUV PS	TUV PS Ltd Titchfield TUV PS Ltd Jiangsu TUV Italia srl
LGA QualiTest GmbH	LGA QualiTest GmbH
UL International DEMKO A/S	Sicur Control
LCIE	LCIE
NEMKO	NEMKO AS Norway NEMKO S.p.A. Italy COSMOS Corp. JP
PREDOM-OBR	PREDOM-OBR
SIQ	SIQ
EVPU	SKTC 101
EZU	EZU

 

Name Change: CEBEC becomes SGS Belgium NV - Division SGS CEBEC

As of December 31st 2004, CEBEC and SGS Belgium merged, now to be called SGS Belgium NV - Division SGS CEBEC.

Entela taken over by Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc.

Intertek Services NA, Inc., has acquired Entela Inc. in the USA.
Effective from 2004-12-31 CBTL Entela was transferred to the responsibility of NCB Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc.

IEC conformity assessment at workshop in India

At the recent Regional Workshop on Certification and Conformity Assessment organized by ISO and hosted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), IECEE Executive Secretary Pierre de Ruvo explained how IEC conformity assessment operates and the advantages it offers to both the global market and the South Asian market.

He discussed the three IEC conformity assessment systems: IECEE, IECEx and IECQ-CECC with the focus of his talk going to the IECEE CB Scheme. He went into detail about the peer assessment programme that is used to evaluate the certification bodies and test laboratories that are members of the CB Scheme. He explained how using the CB Scheme would help South Asian governments and importers to ensure that safer products were entering the domestic market, which ultimately benefits consumers, and how it also helped suppliers to bring products to market more quickly.

The workshop took place on 6 and 7 December 2004, in New Delhi and brought together about 200 people from South Asian industry to learn about certifying to international standards. The workshop highlighted existing international standards and guides that cover product and management systems certification practice.

Every year ISO organizes a similar regional workshop in a different country.

IECEE hosts second international Lead Assessors Training Course

The most recent training course for international lead assessors took place from 18 - 19 November 2004 at the CCV Conference Center in Geneva, Switzerland.

Hosted by the IECEE secretariat, the course brought together 30 participants from all regions of the world. Presentations by several speakers notably focused on critical elements pertaining to IEC/ISO Guide 65 and IEC/ISO Guide 17025, the functioning of IECEE operational documents and the role of the IECEE peer assessment in IEC conformity assessment programmes.

The aim of this training course was to inform IECEE assessors of the most recent assessment techniques, build confidence among IECEE members/National Certification Bodies (NCBs) through professional and impartial assessment, and build confidence between the IECEE and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). Three ILAC delegates from Austria , France and the United Kingdom attended the course.

Peer assessment is used by the IECEE to ensure that all testing laboratories within the CB Scheme provide an equally high competence and quality of service necessary to build confidence among member NCBs who are the operators of the CB Scheme.

Upon successfully passing the final examination at the end of the course, participants received a certificate and were formally registered as IECEE lead assessors.

IECEE lead assessors are seen as key players in the IECEE community and in the peer assessment programme, an essential element of the IECEE CB Scheme.

Future lead assessment training courses are scheduled to take place in Chicago, USA, in 2005, in Beijing, China in 2005 and in Geneva , Switzerland in 2007.

For more information regarding these courses, please contact IECEE Executive Secretary, Pierre de Ruvo.

To view more pictures from this event, please click here.

Korean manufacturers take close look at photovoltaics

About 40 Korean electrical manufacturers spent an afternoon learning about Korean and IEC certification work in the field of photovoltaics (PV) during a seminar held on 20 October in Seoul, Republic of Korea. With the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) as host, the event was chaired by the president of the Korean Photovoltaics Development Organization, Donghwan Kim, who is Associate Dean of Engineering at Korea University. The Director of the KATS Energy and Resources Standards Division, Il-sub Shin, provided the welcome speech to the group.

Attendees to the seminar enjoyed a presentation by KATS Senior Researcher, Sung-ho Shin, who spoke about PV certification systems and standards in Korea . IECEE Executive Secretary, Pierre de Ruvo, gave an overview of the IECEE photovoltaics certification process, while Secretary of PV Global Approval Program’s Executive Board, Richard Kay, spoke about introducing PV GAP to Korea.

Conformity assessment for photovoltaics passed from the IECQ-CECC to the IECEE CB Scheme in 2004. Previously, certification bodies within the IECQ-CECC tested the PV components and units as stand-alone items. But the market wanted PV components and units tested for safety and performance within a system and the IECEE, which deals with components, equipment and systems, was seen as the right place for this work.

In May 2004 BP Solar was the first company to receive a conformity assessment certificate from the IECEE Full Certification Scheme (CB-FCS) for its solar electric modules manufactured in India , China, Spain and Australia.

Korea Testing Laboratory

Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL), founded in 1966, was the first national calibration and measurement agency in the Republic of Korea. Today it employs 450 people and consists of six centres, the biggest of which handles electrotechnology. In 2003 KTL had a turnover of USD 50 million. Its market is fairly evenly split at 50 % domestic and 50 % international, the latter being mostly Japan, China , Southeast Asia and Western Europe. KTL’s competitors are well-known certification bodies that do business in Korea under the IECEE CB Scheme.

Korea Testing Laboratory participates in all three of the IEC’s conformity assessment system, with its Electrotechnical Centre testing for both the IECEE and the IECQ-CECC. It participates in the IECEE CB Scheme both as a National Certification Body and as a testing laboratory. That means it can do tests as well as issue certificates of conformity, both of which are important activities for the Korean economy.

KTL’s participation has grown rapidly since it first investigated the CB Scheme in the early 1990s. “Back then,” says KTL Electrotechnical Centre Director General Insop Song, “we were looking at ways to enter the European and American markets. European test labs and certification bodies knew who we were, but didn’t accept our test reports or certificates. We saw that the EU depended on the IEC and that it was also important not only for North American but also for Asian markets. That led us logically to the CB Scheme and the government, via Korea National Institute of Technology and Quality (formerly Korea Agency for Technology and Standard), gave its support for KTL to become a member of the CB Scheme. We started by testing and certifying for the IT and office equipment category and found it to be very successful for us.”

Today, KTL tests and certifies for 11 of the 16 product categories in the CB Scheme and plans to test and certify for all of them by 2006.

In the early 1990s, income for the Electrotechnical Centre resulting from international business was virtually zero and growing at only about 5 % per year. But in the late 1990s Korea suffered a severe financial crisis and the currency was devalued drastically. To survive, Korean manufacturers needed to export and they turned to KTL for this. The CB Scheme allows for rapid entry into new markets because CB Scheme certificates are recognized by all participating NCBs. Because KTL was able to issue these certificates, Korean manufacturers could find new markets quickly.

20 % annual growth
“Since the late 1990s,” says Song, “issuing CB Scheme certificates has grown very quickly, more than 20 % per year. In 2003 we issued about 950 CB Test Certificates and we expect to do better this year. Thanks to the CB Scheme, our volume of business increased dramatically since the late 1990s and our turnover became much higher.””

Song says that half of the Electrotechnical Centre’s income is from Korean companies and half is from international companies and that the latter is growing at more than 20 % per year because Korean companies are moving operations into Southeast Asia in the search for lower manufacturing costs and then selling their products back into the domestic market from abroad.

Song also says that the market as a whole is growing, and that Asian countries now appear to be adopting IEC standards just as the European Union has been doing. In response to this growing market, KTL developed an annual, month-long, In-Service Tutorial Programme for Asian certification and/or testing bodies, including China, to come to Seoul to learn about IEC standards and the CB Scheme. In October of 2004, 16 engineers from Asia participated in the programme. He says that SIRIM Berhad – Malaysia’s national certification body – came to study how KTL operates the system, possibly with the intention of developing a similar system.

“This is good for KTL,” he says, “because strong competitors make us stronger. It is good for us to have strong competitors because it forces us to provide our customers with even better services. So, at the heart of it all, the CB Scheme actually helps our customers, not our competitors.”

Song doesn’t hesitate in declaring the importance of the CB Scheme to KTL: “Sometimes with my colleagues we ask ourselves what would happen if the IECQ-CECC CB Scheme disappeared and we all agree that the Electrotechnical Centre would likely go bankrupt. I try to help spread the CB Scheme to developing countries because I believe it is very useful for testing and certification houses.” KTL is involved at the CB Scheme management level: they have one person on the Committee of Testing Laboratories and one person on the Certification Management Committee.*

KTL has also been involved with IECQ (now ) since 1979 and, at present has three major Korean electronic component manufacturers certified under the system. Another six are waiting for the IECQ merger with CECC (which was completed in 2003) to develop further before coming on board.

Service to the national economy
As an official body named by the Korean Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy, KTL has special roles spelled out in Korean law and so in a sense it performs a service for the national economy. It helps to ensure that imported products comply with international standards and with Korean legislation on safety. This compliance helps to prevent dumping of poor-quality goods, or “hiding” behind false origins (that is, a product built in one place but trans-shipped through another). “We help to ensure imported products meet government requirements for safety and reliability,” Song says.

More significantly, Song points out that the Korean economy depends to a large extent on exporting. As a member of the CB Scheme, KTL helps Korean manufacturers to export and acts as their go-between with foreign certification bodies and testing labs. Local small- and medium-sized manufacturers don’t have to contact foreign certification bodies or testing labs because KTL will do it for them. To export, manufacturers have to ensure that their products comply with the national standards of the target country and for this it’s necessary to know what these other national standards contain. KTL maintains a large standards library for Korean manufacturers, one that is now increasingly electronic for easy, quick access.

For the past three years, Song has observed that developing countries and their certification bodies that are trying to apply IEC standards and its conformity assessment schemes are having difficulty getting the information they need. “To help them to obtain the information they need,” says Song, “I suggest creating a separate page in the IEC website for them, one that contains the relevant information on IEC, its committees, boards, and schemes. I believe that this would be a good guide to help them to establish their system and get clearer information.” He points out that the IECEE website is a good example of one that shares well organized information

Case study

In 1996 the Director General of the Korea Testing Laboratory’s Electrotechnical Centre, Insop Song, participated in an APEC meeting representing the Republic of Korea. South American and Southeast Asian countries saw the value in IEC standards and had been harmonizing their national standards with IEC International Standards. Samsung Electronics wanted to begin exporting to South America, particularly Argentina, and needed a test report to do so. Samsung asked KTL to help by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with South American certification bodies. Song went to IRAM, the Argentine standards institute, to sign the MOU. This opened up the Argentine market to Samsung, whose exports to that country now amount to USD 50 million per year.

Insop Song

Korea Testing Laboratory’s Insop Song holds an undergraduate degree in electronic engineering from Seoul National University and a Master’s degree from Dongkook University. Prior to working for KTL, Song worked for Samsung Electronics Institute from 1977 to 1980. Since 1980 he has been with KTL. Recently, he became Chairman of Technical Committee 3 of the Asia Network Forum.

Established in November 2000, the ANF is a non-governmental regional body with five founding members: KTL, Japan Quality Assurance Organization, China Quality Certification Centre, PSB Corporation ( Singapore) and Electronics Testing Centre (Taiwan). Its goal is to have one standard, one test and one certification for its members. It consists of four committees: policy, promotion, international relations and technical.

"In Asia,” says Song, “we need a common system and the ANF can help to create it. We know electronic products because around half of the world’s production is manufactured in Asia. But Asian participation in things like the CB Scheme is limited. We have very little input to creating the standards that the CB Scheme uses. This is due to both financial and political reasons. While Europe tends to dominate, we’d like to see more Asian input, so we formed ANF to help us with this.”

OVE: On duty in electrotechnology for 121 years

By Christian Gabriel, Secretary of the Austrian National Committee of the IEC

The Austrian Electrotechnical Association (Österreichischer Verband für Elektrotechnik – OVE), a private non-profit organization, emerged from the Vienna Electrotechnical Society which was founded in 1883. Since then the association has been a central national platform for all electrotechnical experts and companies dealing with the development and the progress of techniques, science and the technical problems that arise whenever electrical energy is applied.

Times have changed significantly but OVE’s mission is still as topical as ever:

• OVE regards itself as a qualified and independent platform for all questions of electrical engineering and information technology for its members as well as for the whole of the electrotechnical profession.
• OVE has been the recognized authority in Austria on safety and security, especially regarding the fields of electrotechnical engineering and information technology.
• OVE acts in a flexible way and continuously adapts its services to changing market situations. This is true of existing sectors, however, the OVE also pushes key technologies of other emerging technical fields.
• OVE societies are home to all divisions and professional groups of the branch. Members of OVE are supported by means of networking, events for continuing education and further vocational training, as well as other services.

As a result of all the different duties and aims, the complex structure of the OVE – with all its various divisions – has evolved: standardization, certification, member service, editorial office, societies as well as professional education and further vocational training.

With the IEC from the beginning
OVE is not just a standardization body, although all of its various missions are strongly related to, and benefit from, standardization, which represents the most important branch of OVE. Already in 1888 the association published its first standard dealing with safety of electrical installations. Ever since that time an Austrian electrotechnical standards committee has been operating. In 1906 two Austrian representatives of the association attended the initial meeting of the IEC in London. Continuing today, OVE is pioneering the world of standardization together with IEC.

Starting in 2000 OVE was one of the first to open a national IEC-online-shop. This project – in close cooperation with the IEC Customer Service Centre – turned out to be a very fruitful one. The shop is well accepted by the Austrian customers, about 85 % of national IEC sales are online. Additional features like the “Watchlist” (a simple automatic information service on new IEC publications) improved the shop’s popularity and, by implementing the personalized watermarks (PDF stamps) in IEC publications, OVE takes into account the necessity of digital rights management.

Electrotechnical standardization in Austria
Nowadays OVE participates in the world of standardization through its department known as the Austrian Electrotechnical Committee (OEK). The work of OEK is carried out under public law and within the context of the electrotechnical law as well as the decrees that go with it. As the national centre for electrotechnical standardization, OEK co-ordinates the relations amonst Austrian industry and trade, science, authorities and consumers on the one hand and the European and international standardization bodies on the other hand. The main services of OEK are:

• Representing Austria in the international standardisation bodies to strengthen the interests of OVE’s stakeholders. This task is co-ordinated by OEK’s Committee of Action which is composed of representatives of the various stakeholders.
• Administrating and co-ordinating the work of the national technical bodies (105 committees and subcommittees with about 700 members).
• Coordinating the voting procedures: OEK’s central office takes care of the proper distribution of the voting forms, achieving of consensus based national opinions, and the timely transmission of Austrian votes.
• Customer service focusing on technical Information and advising about all national, European and international electrotechnical standards and about legal matters as well.
• Elaborating and editing the Austrian electrotechnical regulations: ÖVE/ÖNORM.
• Marketing and sales in co-operation with the Austrian Standards Institute.

Though the number of OEK staff members is quite small, the team is very efficient and acts quickly in a flexible way in response to all the different daily challenges. The outstanding competence acquired over the years has been acknowledged at the national and international levels as well.

OEK cooperates closely with the Austrian Standards Institute (the Austrian member of ISO and CEN) to ensure co-ordinated work in areas of common interest and to use synergies where appropriate (for example, in the fields of printing and sales of standards).

Financing OEK’s work is based on the sales of standards, which contribute around 80 % of the turnover. IEC and CENELEC membership fees are refunded by the Austrian authorities.

The Austrian way forward
Times are changing and so is OEK: a new generation of technical staff and management is working on a more global approach in Austrian electrotechnical standardization to play a more active role at the international level.

Being aware that most of the basic decisions in standardization are settled at the international level, and therefore knowing about the strategic relevance of being integrated in the international standardization work, OEK strongly promotes and supports the active participation of national experts in international standardization. This is done by frequent workshops and in-house promotion tours (especially focused on small- to medium-sized enterprises). Through the workshops and in-house seminars the benefits of standardization, the possibilities of participating in standardization, and the right use of the different procedures and tools are communicated.

It seems to be a big task to convince the stakeholders about the necessity of standards to support the national economy and promote electrotechnical safety and therefore to encourage their continuing investment in standardization. However we’ll stay on the road and keep the ball rolling.

Contact details:

AUSTRIAN IEC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
c/o Oesterreichischer Verband
für Elektrotechnik (OVE)
Eschenbachgasse 9
AT - 1010 WIEN

Telephone: +43 (1) 587 63 73
Telefax: +43 (1) 586 74 08
E-mail: AUSTRIAN ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMITTEE
URL: http://www.ove.at

FAQ about the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) system

CQC has just published general Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ) about the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) system and brief introduction of China Compulsory Certification (CCC) System on their web site at: http://global-approval.blogspirit.com

Should you have any suggestion and comments to improve their information please contact CQC by using the following communication data:

International Certification Dept.
Email: hbw@zgb.com.cn
Tel: 0086-571-28812208
Efax: 001-209- 6447422
Hangzhou Transcend Consulting Co., Ltd
http://global-approval.blogspirit.com

ALL ABOUT PLUGS AND SOCKET OUTLETS

We're all aware that electrical mains plugs and socket-
outlets are different all over the world, but do you know why this is the case and what's been done to try and correct it? The IEC's new Plugs and Sockets Zone can tell you, and it also gives a complete table showing the various plugs, sockets and mains voltages used everywhere. The zone is both informative and practical and you can find it at:

http://www.iec.ch/zone/plugsocket/ps_entry.htm

New USNC/IECEE contact person

The new contact person at the USNC/IECEE is for IECEE related matters is: Mr. Douglas E. Read NEMA 1300 N 17th Street, Suite 1847 ROSSLYN VA 22209 USA Tel: + 1 703 8413242 Fax: + 1 703 8413342 E-mail: Douglas Read

Re-Election of the IECEE Secretary

The Conformity Assessment Board (CAB), on the nomination by the Certification Management Committee (CMC) of IEC’s Worldwide System for Conformity Testing and Certification of Electrical Equipment (IECEE) has re-elected Pierre de Ruvo to a new five-year term as Executive Secretary. He was first elected to this position in 1999. The role involves managing the daily operations of the IECEE and its two conformity assessment systems, the CB Scheme and CB-FCS, and of putting into action the decisions of the IECEE’s top management body, the Certification Management Committe.

Re-assessment and Scope Extension at CQC, BTIHEA, TIRT and SEC in Beijing

At the beginning of September 2004 a re-assessment at the Chinese certification body, CQC, and its associated laboratories took place in Beijing. Several teams were set up by IECEE Executive Secretary, Mr. Pierre de Ruvo, to allow the re-assessments to be performed in a quickly and efficiently. At the same time, the National Certification Body (NCB) and most of the associated Certification Body Testing Laboratories (CBTLs) applied for a significant extension to their scopes to address the growing needs of Chinese market. After successful assessment and the CQC will now be co-operating with 16 laboratories in China, covering 12 categories of equipment and about 480 different editions of standards.

Group 1, composed of Dr. Wolfgang Kreinberg (TÜV PS GmbH as Convenor), Arun Sachdeva (STQ), Yasuaki Hazeyama (TÜV Rheinland Japan) and José Madeira Cruz (ISQ Portugal), performed the assessment at CQC as NCB and the CBTLs BTIHEA, TIRT and SEC, all located in Beijing. The assessment team discovered a certification body and laboratories that spent significant time in preparing themselves for this important assessment. The atmosphere during the assessment was very cordial, with the staff being very responsive both in the laboratory and in the quality departments. As such the assessment, despite the very broad scope, was performed and reported on in the given time frame.

The pictures show the opening meeting with Prof Li Hualin (CQC) and his staff and some impressions during the assessment.

Photovoltaics: TC 82 activity update

1. IEC 61730-1 and 61730-2 (PV module safety qualification) have been approved and will be published by 2004-10-15.

2. IEC 62124 (Design verification of PV stand alone systems) has been approved and will be published by 2004-10-10.

3. Project 61727 (Utility interface for PV systems ) has been circulated as an FDIS and the IS is expected to be published by 2004-12-31.

4. Project 61215, 2nd edition: Central Office is preparing an FDIS, expected date of FDIS circulation 2004-11, expected date of publication 2005-02.

5. Project 62093 (Balance-of-system components for PV systems – Design qualification natural environments): Central Office just started FDIS preparation, expected date of FDIS circulation 2005-02, expected date of publication 2005-05.

6. The next meeting of IEC TC 82 is planned to be held in Beijing in
2005-05.

Operation of Recognised Manufacturers' Testing (RMT)

Following the IECEE Management Committee resolution to approve the Recognized Manufacturer Testing procedure, I would like to provide you with some more elements pertaining to the nature of the RMT procedure so that your client can benefit from this alternate route to obtain CB Test Certificates.

The RMT concept combines rigorous qualification of the manufacturer's capabilities, a confidence building phase, extensive exchange of information between the NCB and the RMTL, verification of reports and a specified laboratory surveillance programme.

RMT is a procedure by which an NCB assesses initially, and on an on-going basis, the capability and expertise of the manufacturer’s laboratory(ies) according to ISO/IEC 17025 and any other relevant IECEE Operational Documents, including the laboratory’s quality management system and the laboratory’s testing processes.

The primary benefit of the RMT procedure to a manufacturer is the improved speed to market, since the manufacturer is in control of the timetable for product evaluation and testing. The NCB retains the full role of a Certification Body in accordance with ISO/IEC Guide 65 and the IECEE Rules of Procedure.

The RMTL uses its own personnel and test equipment, takes responsibility for, and signs the test report. However, the task of reviewing the Test Report and taking the certification decision remains under the full responsibility of the NCB prior to issuing a CB Test Certificate.

In addition to the rigorous process, any candidate RMTL must have operated as an SMT Laboratory with its NCB(s) during two years immediately prior to the application.

Finally, a key point to note is that an RMT Laboratory will be subject to a special IECEE re-assessment process coordinated by the IECEE Secretariat in order to grant integrity, impartiality and build confidence among the IECEE members.

As you can see from the above, the RMT programme is the highest level of competence and professionalism that a manufacturer can achieve to be entitled to operate under the IECEE CB Scheme.

Pierre de Ruvo
IECEE Executive Secretary

Change of name of NCB/CBTL FM Approvals

The name of NCB/CBTL FM Approvals has recently been changed to FM Global Technologies LLC (also known as FM Approvals).

TRANSFER OF OPERATIONS OF CBTL UL International Services Ltd. Taiwan Branch

UL International Services Ltd. Taiwan Branch now is operating under the responsibility of UL International Demko A/S for the Product Category OFF.

2004-09-01

BP Solar is first solar module manufacturer to receive international product conformity certificate – Allows for commercial acceptance in global markets
 

BP Solar has received the first conformity assessment certificate from the IECEE Full Certification Scheme (CB-FCS) for its solar electric modules manufactured in India, China, Spain and Australia. The certificate allows BP Solar to sell its product without further testing in countries where the certificate is recognized and accepted. This contributes significantly to getting products to market more quickly and at less cost.

The IECEE CB Scheme is the world’s first truly international system for acceptance of test reports dealing with the safety of electrical and electronic products. It is a multilateral agreement among participating countries and certification organizations. A manufacturer using a CB test report issued by one of these organizations can obtain national certification in all other member countries of the CB Scheme. According to BP Solar Product Line Director Dr. Jean Posbic, "BP Solar chose to seek this certification because it allows us to simplify the external certification process of our solar modules as this certificate combines performance, quality and safety certifications." IECEE Executive Secretary Pierre de Ruvo says, "It is significant that a major player has chosen to certify its modules within the IECEE PV Programme and seek the international CB-FCS certificate. We take a business approach to providing market players with what they need to help them compete and we are proud that BP Solar has given us the opportunity to deliver the first CB-FCS certificate to them." The certificate was issued by Underwriters’ Laboratories in the USA , one of the leading certification bodies and testing laboratories that participates in the IECEE PV CB-FCS programme. UL’s services extend to helping companies achieve global acceptance, whether for an electrical device, a programmable system, or an organization's quality process. BP Solar is a global company with over 2 000 employees focused on harnessing the sun's energy to produce solar electricity. This includes the design, manufacture and marketing of quality solar electric systems for a wide range of applications in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. With over 30 years of experience and installations in over 160 countries, BP Solar is one of the world's largest solar companies and has manufacturing facilities in the USA, Spain, India and Australia. BP Solar is part of BP, one of the world's leading energy companies. To learn more, visit www.bpsolar.com. The IECEE’s CB-FCS provides one test and one (or even multiple) certification(s) for manufacturers wishing to export their products to international markets. It substantially benefits manufacturers by significantly reducing the number of steps required to obtain certification at the national level worldwide. It helps to reduce trade barriers caused by different certification criteria in various countries and help industry to open up new markets. It also helps to ensure a fair global trading system in accordance with the World Trade Organization’s objectives.

Eight certification bodies and associated testing laboratories in seven member countries participate in the IECEE PV CB-FCS programme, which is based on mutual recognition of the conformity assessment certificates issued by its members. These serve as the basis for certifying electrical products at the national and international level and is recognized by PV GAP to grant its International Seal. It is an extension of the CB Scheme, which is operated by the International Electrotechnical Commission’s Worldwide System for Conformity Testing and Certification of Electrical Equipment ( IECEE).

PV GAP is a not-for-profit organization, registered in Switzerland, that certifies the quality of photovoltaic systems and components. PV GAP also promotes the development and use of internationally accepted standards that promote integrating quality into all aspects of PV energy delivery. The organization encourages international reciprocity of national specifications for manufacturers, testing laboratories and accreditation of training programs in installation, operation and maintenance for PV practitioners.

(September 2004)

WITHDRAWAL OF UK CBTL ERA Technology Ltd.

Upon request of the NCB ASTABEAB, the following CBTL has been withdrawn from the CB Scheme:

ERA Technology Ltd.
Electrical Engineering Centre, Test & Assessment Department
Cleeve Road
Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7SA
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1372 367 067
Fax: +44 (0) 1372 367 040
E-mail: bob.dean@era.co.uk

NEWS FROM THE CMC 2004 MEETING HELD IN KYOTO, JAPAN ON 2004-06-24/25

The 7th IECEE Certification Management Committee (CMC) General Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, from 24 to 25 June 2004, led to a number of actions and decisions of particular importance to manufacturers, national certification bodies (NCBs) and IECEE members.

Organized by the Japanese National Committee of the IECEE, its associated national certification bodies and the Japanese Standards Association, the meeting brought together approximately 100 international experts and representatives from some 43 member countries. Sixteen participants also attended the meeting as observers from five Asian countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. These countries are taking part in training sessions sponsored by the Japanese government for the Certification Body (CB) Scheme in Japan.

Meeting photos can be viewed by clicking here.

Photos taken at the Offiical Dinner can be viewed by following this link.

In his address to the CMC, Prof. MASADA in his capacity as Chairman of the Japanese National Committee of the IECEE, stated that in the operation and management of the IECEE CB Scheme, the Certification Management Committee plays a critical role in directing the efforts of the IECEE directed toward the advancement of trade among the countries of the world through the mutual recognition of test data from participating certification bodies. He added that the reduction in redundant testing time achieved by the mutual recognition and acceptance of test data contributes to greater efficiencies in conformity assessment and enables products to be placed on the international market in much less time at lower cost than otherwise would be possible without benefit of the operations of the IECEE CB Scheme.
He mentioned that the CB Scheme was providing invaluable assistance to the Japanese electrical and electronic industry for their trade activities.
Prof. MASADA said that in recent years the global distribution of products and utilization of services had significantly increased and that social interest on safety and security, the conformity assessment of products, and services to assess conformity to regulations and technical standards are more and more expected by industries and the public at large.
Concluding his address to the CMC, Prof. MASADA recounted that Japan had joined the CEE, the forerunner of IECEE in 1983, participated effectively in the CB Scheme since 1985 and that JISC (Japan Industrial Standards Council), the Japanese IECEE Member Body, would strongly support the IECEE in its contribution to serve the electrical and electronic industry and all concerned parties to produce and trade safe products.
On behalf of JISC, Prof. MASADA welcomed all the participants and wished them to have a fruitful meeting and a pleasant stay in Kyoto and in Japan.

The CMC formally re-elected Mr. Pierre de RUVO as Secretary of the IECEE for appointment by the CAB.

The second term of office will commence on the 1st of January 2005 and will end on the 31st of December 2009.

Among the many decisions taken during the meeting, five main ones stand out.

Level of reciprocity over the NCBs
The CMC agreed to change the rules of procedure to allow testing laboratories (CBTLs) to operate from any country or any place under the direct responsibility of its associated NCB. The latter is directly responsible, together with its IECEE member body, to declare adherence to the relevant IEC standards as well as to commit to recognizing CB test certificates issued by other member NCBs that are at least equivalent to their accepted scope.

New product category: electromagnetic compatibility
With 92% of voting members approving the inclusion of EMC within the IECEE scope, the CMC formally approved this quasi-unanimous result. As a result of the voting, the CMC agreed to include non-safety related EMC to the IECEE’s scope as a new product category.

Recognized manufacturers’ testing
The IECEE accepted to include in its services the Recognized Manufacturers’ Testing, a procedure by which an NCB assesses on an on-going basis the capability and expertise of a manufacturer’s own laboratory (or laboratories) according to ISO/IEC 17025 and any other relevant IECEE operational documents. This includes the laboratory’s quality management system and testing processes. The IECEE secretariat will circulate a questionnaire to NCB members to see how many of them are willing to accept CB Test Certificates based on this new procedure.

Official signature of the Master Multilateral Agreement (MLA)
The MLA members agreed to sign the Master CB-FCS MLA with the understanding that, whilst awaiting the approval of the Rules of Procedure IECEE 03 Edition 2004, the IECEE 03 Edition 1995 would apply. For photos taken at the IECEE-CMC WG 10 "Revision of the Rules", please click here.

The Legal Master MLA, with due agreed amendments, will be circulated at a later stage to allow “legal representatives” of MLA members to sign the Agreement for those Members present who expressed this particular need for the companies they represent. For photos taken at the signing, please click here.

Component recognition program
The IECEE agreed to move ahead with creating a Component Recognition Program and expects to finalize a document to this effect and circulate it for voting in the third quarter of 2004. A database should be developed which will facilitate the administration and integration of all related information to the program.

The IECEE is the IEC’s Worldwide System for Conformity Testing and Certification of Electrical Equipment, which operates the well-known CB Scheme.

News from the 41^st Committee of Testing Laboratories (CTL) Meeting held in Singapore

For more pictures, please click here

With PSB Corporation playing host, the 41^st Committee of Testing Laboratories (CTL) Meeting successfully took place in Singapore on 24 to 27 May. Over 70 expert representatives, coming from 165 laboratories worldwide, attended this annual IECEE (International Electrotechnical Commission System for Conformity Testing and Certification of Electrical Equipment) event. The 41^st CTL Meeting was a significant event for PSB Corporation as this was the first time in the CTL history that the annual meeting has been held in Singapore.  

The CTL Meeting served as an exchange platform whereby delegates of various international laboratories congregated to discuss and develop solutions to testing problems, as well as to decide how tests should best be executed in order to achieve reproducibility of results. 

The CTL Meeting promoted the common understanding of IECEE standards and sealed members’ commitment in working towards harmonized testing practices. Most importantly, mutual confidence was reaffirmed among all member laboratories. 

Business aside, delegates enjoyed the eventful four-day meeting as PSB Corporation also introduced them to popular local interest spots and showed them what was ‘uniquely Singapore’. Pleased to say, PSB Corp’s hospitality was well received by all the international participants.

About the CTL

The CTL is the technical branch of the IECEE and the biggest forum of technical experts representing over 120 CB Testing Laboratories, located in over 40 different countries, and operating under the responsibility of the relevant National Certification Bodies (NCBs) members of the IECEE.

The CTL seeks to achieve reproducible test results and to establish a close collaborative network among all testing laboratories. It harmonizes the design and use of test equipment referred to in standards, makes recommendations to the relevant IEC technical committees to improve on these standards and is also dedicated to monitoring the proficiency of testing programmes of member laboratories. As the NCB for Singapore, PSB Corporation can perform third-party product certification for IECEE. 

Testing & Certification Conference 2004: Global Compliance for IT, AV and Telecom Products

For more pictures, please click here

Enjoying its fourth successful run, PSB Corporation's Testing & Certification Conference extended its fine track record by providing timely compliance updates for the information technology, electrotechnology and telecommunication industries. The conference theme this year, “Global Compliance for IT, AV and Telecom Products” presented an opportunity for companies to reevaluate their product development stages and approval requirements in light of the current industry challenges and competitive realities.

Besides experts from PSB Corp and its subsidiary, Sibercert, revered veterans - Mr Pierre de Ruvo, Executive Secretary of the IECEE and Mr Robert Wunderer, Convener of the CTL Expert Task Force 2 – were the featured speakers. The sessions were devoted to the following topics: 

• What the IECEE-CB Scheme can do for you - Mr Pierre de Ruvo, Executive Secretary of the IECEE

• IEC 60950 and IEC 60065: What you need to know about the new hazard-based standards - Mr Robert Wunderer, Convener of the CTL Expert Task Force 2

• Approvals for electrical / electronic and telecommunication products in Singapore and then region: What PSB Corp as designated CAB can do for you - Ms Tan Chiew Wan, Vice President (Certification and Inspection), Testing Group, PSB Corporation

• International Compliance: Meeting product certification/approval requirements of key export markets for electrical and electronic products - Ms Jenny Chen, Compliance Manager and Ms Sharon Hsiung, Sales Manager, Sibercert 

• Qualification of Bluetooth Products: A Bluetooth Qualification Test Facility (BQTF) Perspective - Mr Colin Gan, Vice President (Telecoms and Electromagnetic Compatibility), Testing Group, PSB Corporation

Change of name of CBTL GTIES