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International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)

Website: http://www.iec.ch/

Category: Standards

Year of Foundation: 1906

Location of Foundation: London, UK

Location of Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland

Brief Description: The International Electrotechnical Commission describes itself as 'the leading global organization that prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies. These serve as a basis for national standardization and as references when drafting international tenders and contracts.' (Source: www.iec.ch; accessed 13 April 2010)

Founding Rationales:

'At the close of the Meetings of the Chamber of the Government Delegates at the International Electrical Congress held at St Louis in September, 1904, the following resolution had been unanimously adopted: "That steps should be undertaken to ensure the cooperation of the technical Societies of the world by appointment of a representative Commission to consider the question of the standardisation of the Nomenclature and Ratings of Electrical Apparatus and Machinery."'

Source: International Electrotechnical Commission, 'Report of Preliminary Meeting held at the Hotel Cecil, London, on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 26th and 27th 1906' (London, 1906), p. 6.

Evolution of Membership (Organizations):

International Electrotechnical Commission Membership Chart

Sources: HIO; YIO; EAIO