[ Focus: International representation ]
SETTING STANDARDS
The ECA has a key role to play in representing the interests of its members – and the UK electrotechnical industry as a whole – in the development of electrical and electronic installation technical standards. GIULIANO DIGILIO, ECA head of Technical Services, spoke to ECA Today about this aspect of his work
T
he ECA’s Technical Services department works closely with many other national and international bodies involved in the development of standards impacting on the work of electrical contractors and
specialist sector contractors. To that end, the ECA represents the UK’s interests on many committees and working groups that ultimately influence the technical standards implemented in the UK. The scope of the ECA’s work in this area
encompasses all aspects of electrotechnical installation and maintenance that members may be involved in, including electrical lighting, fire, security, communications, data, ICT and hazardous area installations, plus many more. Given the importance of this technical work to
members, we asked Giuliano Digilio to explain how the process works and where the ECA gets involved.
ECA Today (ET): Who is responsible for this work? Giuliano Digilio (GD): Typically for international standards, the process begins with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) working groups. Each standard is normally developed by a number of working groups, focusing on the respective parts making up that standard. In some cases, however, there may be further sub-divisions so that one part of a standard may have several working groups. To take an example familiar to ECA Today
readers, our National Wiring Regulations BS7671, Requirements for Electrical Installations – based on the IEC 60364 Electrical Installation for Buildings – is made up of seven parts, so
The scope of the ECA’s work in this area encompasses all aspects of electrotechnical installation and maintenance in which members may be involved
there are a similar number of working groups. Their responsibilities range from fundamental safety principles and ensuring various levels of protection, through to verification and testing, and dealing with special locations and hazardous areas. The working groups then report to the joint British
Standards Institution and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (BSI-IET) committee (JPEL 64) responsible for approving the UK work of the groups. In the case of IEC 60364, the joint technical European committee is designated TC64. It is crucially important to be influential both at
international level with the IEC, and at the European level with CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation). And the ECA, as the UK’s electrical industry trade association, is deeply involved in these bodies, working on committees and working groups. That is where these standards are debated and standards formed. By the time they get to nationaI level, it is too late to influence these international standards.
ET: Where does the creation or modification of a standard begin? GD: Normally the process begins when one of the various standards bodies proposes revisions to an existing standard, or highlights the need for a new standard in response to, for example, safety issues or the introduction of new equipment to the market. A recent example of this was a proposal from the UK to introduce new standards for home automation and smart systems in intelligent homes. Once changes or new standards have been proposed, they are sent out for consultation and reviewed by the various panels and committees, before being made available for general industry and public comments. These are then returned and any objections to the adoption of a new or updated standard have to be justified with detailed explanations. The proposals are then subject to a voting process. In general, once it has been agreed that
there is a need for a new standard it will go through, although the content can change. The same is true for revisions to existing standards.
December 2013 ECA Today 27
December 2013 ECA Today 27
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