Introduction of IEC Activities Promotion Committee

BACKGROUND

The International Electrotechnical Commission(IEC) undertakes activities aiming at development of world economy and promotion of international trade through development and dissemination of internationally harmonized electrotechnical standards.

In view of its technical competence, production output and consumption level, Japan is expected to play a significant role in this area. Thus expectation upon Japan to make ever-greater international contribution in this area.

The GATT Standard Code and the Long-term Program for Promotion of Industrial Standardization stipulated the direction of harmonizing and achieving consistency between International Standards and Japan Industrial Standards(JIS). As a consequence, the IEC standards are becoming more important than ever before to the Japanese industry in the years to come.

In Europe and in the United States, international standardization activities are being carried out primarily at the initiative of the private industry. Since the international standardization activities, either direct or indirect, it is hoped for the private sector to expand its involvement in the overall international standardization activities and to assume increasingly important role.

Under the circumstance, the IEC Activities Promotion Committee(IEC-APC) was set up in July 1991 in the International Standardization Cooperation Center(ISCC) of the Japanese Standards Association(JSA), as the central body to coordinate overall activities of Japan's contribution to, and promotion of, IEC activities.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives are to ensure positive participation in IEC's international standardization activities, to strengthen the infrastructure and national system for domestic activities related to IEC activities, to raise level of Japanese contribution, as well as to cope with various problems surrounding the IEC activities.

OUTLINE OF ACTIVITIES

In order to promote active participation in IEC's international standardization activities and to make more positive contribution from a global viewpoint based on worldwide dialogues, the IEC-APC carries a wide variety of support programs as well as information providing services relating to international standardization as listed below.

Proposal Development

The committee coordinates Japanese views on those policy issues of the IEC activities to be discussed at IEC's Council and/or Committee of Action and, upon achieving consensus among members concerned in Japan, submits proposals and recommendations to the Divisional Council on IEC of JISC concerning IEC activities relating matters.

Support Services

The Committee accept roles in IEC's Board, participate in high level committee meeting of IEC, and extend financial aid to delegates participating in the international conferences to be held in Japan. The Committee also provides support services by assuming position of secretaries and chairmen of IEC's technical committee.

Information Providing Services

The Committee distributes Japanese translation of important information sent from the IEC Central Office. The Committee also provides information on its own activities to the members by publishing Bulletins and Reports.

Research Activities

The Committee conducts research and other studies concerning IEC's cross-sectional issues, such as industrial property rights, copyrights, IEV(International Electrotechnical Vocabulary), multi-media and certification system.

Information Exchange Forums

The Committee hosts seminars and lectures as forums for exchanges of opinions and information with a wide participation of people both at home and abroad.

Other activities relating to IEC activities