Simplified standards show changes
24 July 2008
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) launched a new trial product that will make life easier for many users of new editions of IEC International Standards. The IEC is the world’s leading organisation that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies and that manages global conformity assessment systems.
IEC launches IEC Standards+
Launched in June, IEC Standards+ consists of a package of documents, which includes both the new edition of the IEC International Standard and a second version called Redline. This type of document, where all the changes from the previous edition remain clearly visible, whether they are additions, replacements or deletions, is also known as a Tracked Changes version in certain word-processing applications.
IEC Standards+ gives a distinct added value to the IEC Standard and responds to feedback from customers in industry, government and academia using IEC's publications. With IEC Standards+, customers can instantaneously identify the changes that have been made since the previous edition of the Standard.
IEC Standards+ will not replace the officially approved International Standards and a clear disclaimer will explain the legal status of the new products. The user will have the choice of the official International Standard only, or the official International Standard combined with the Tracked Changes version as a new value-added set.
The two Standards being used to launch this product are IEC 60335-2-7, Edition 7.0, Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2-7: Particular requirements for washing machines' and IEC 61000-3-3, Edition 2.0, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 3-3: Limits – Limitation of voltage changes, voltage fluctuations and flicker in public low-voltage supply systems, for equipment with rated current <=16A per phase and not subject to conditional connection.
IEC Standards+ makes use of the standards development process to monitor the changes to International Standards as they evolve. It is hoped that the IEC Standards+ product range will be expanded over the coming months.