NEMA (the National Electrical Manufacturers Association) has been appointed by the United States National Committee (USNC) to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to coordinate the activities of a new committee formed to develop nanotechnology standards for electrical and electronic products and systems.
As the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Administrator of IEC technical committee (TC) 113, Nanotechnology Standardization for Electrical and Electronic Products and Systems, NEMA will facilitate the development of U.S. proposals for nanotechnology standards that fall within the scope of the IEC. Standards developed by the Commission span all electrotechnologies and include electronics, multimedia technologies, telecommunications, and energy production. NEMA will also partner with U.S.-based organizations to develop positions on foreign proposals for nanotechnology work items.
Standardization efforts of TC 113 will focus on:
- terminology and symbols
- design and development
- measurement and performance
- reliability
- electromagnetic compatibility
- safety and environment
To prevent duplication of effort, TC 113 will liaise with other relevant national, regional and international standards bodies. In particular, the group will work to coordinate its activities with those of ISO/TC 229, Nanotechnologies, a committee formed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2005 to develop international standards for the emerging field. [See related article: ISO TC 229 Nanotechnologies Lays Roadmaps for International Standards]. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) serves as the U.S. TAG administrator to ISO/TC 229.
Individuals interested in participating in the U.S. TAG to IEC/TC 113 may contact Kenneth Gettman, director of international standards at NEMA (703.841.3254; ken_gettman@nema.org).