CBTL ITS Testing & Certification Ltd. - ITS Leatherhead has been transferred from NCB Intertek Semko to responsible NCB Intertek Testing & Certification Ltd. for product category MED.

We are pleased to inform you that as of 2012-01-01, coinciding with legal structure changes at UL in the USA, the names for the following NCBs have been changed for better naming consistency:
- Underwriters Laboratories Inc. becomes UL (US)
- Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada becomes UL (CA)
- UL International Demko A/S becomes UL (Demko)

The CMC agreed that ACAG/1398/PDSH shall apply for all other products falling outside the scope of TC 108

Excerpt from the Minutes of the 2011 CMC meeting of Istanbul:
The CMC agreed with the Chairman statement that Item 16.3 - Battery Packs - under section 8.3 f) of the PAC Report PAC/1597/RCMC was also covered by the discussion under this Item.

Between 1 may 2011 and 2012 the CTL test schedule can be used to test the differences between UL1642 and IEC62133 in order to meet the full IEC62133.
After 1 May 2012 the IEC62133 shall be used.

Please click here to view the table listing the types of batteries

Harmonization of safety requirements for batteries is underway

Batteries are used in numerous devices and their safety determines the lifespan and faultless operation of countless products. With converging technologies and the advent of horizontal standards comes the need to regularly review, compare and update the standards that define safety requirements in order to ensure that testing and conformity assessment processes are coordinated. This is what is currently happening for the standards issued by IEC TC 108 and IEC SC 21A.



Coordinated test requirements
There are currently four IEC International Standards involved in this harmonization process.

Three of these standards are developed by IEC TC 108, which has responsibility for the safety of electronic equipment within the field of audio/video, information technology and communication technology:

- IEC 60065, Audio, video and similar electronic apparatus - Safety requirements
- IEC 60950-1, Information technology equipment - Safety - Part 1: General requirements
- IEC 62368-1, Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment - Part 1: Safety requirements

The fourth standard is issued by IEC SC 21A, which has responsibility for secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes:

- IEC 62133, Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes - Safety requirements for portable sealed secondary cells, and for batteries made from them, for use in portable applications

While both IEC 60065 and IEC 60950-1 provide normative lists of component standards for use when testing and evaluating end products, there is no mention of IEC 62133 in the current editions of these two standards. As a consequence, end products that come within the scope of IEC TC 108 cannot be tested against the requirements specified by IEC 62133.

Both committees have established a formal liaison relationship and work closely together in a joint working group to update and develop meaningful, value-added, and coordinated safety requirements to the appropriate standards for cells, packs and end products. They are currently jointly revising and preparing new editions of the above-mentioned three standards.



Revisions underway
The revised IEC 62133 is currently at the CDV (Committee Draft for Vote) stage. The document (21A/481/CDV) has received strong support from the P-members (Participating members), with 16 voting in favour and one abstaining. As a result, SC 21A will soon issue an FDIS (Final Draft International Standard) for the next edition of IEC 62133, which is expected to be published in the first quarter of 2012.

TC 108 is in the process of developing the next editions of IEC 60065, 60950-1 and 62368-1 and has recently issued CD (Committee Draft) 108/455/CD. Annex M of the CD deals with batteries and was prepared taking into account the comments received on a previous CD containing similar requirements. Comments received on 108/455/CD will be reviewed at a meeting in October 2011, with the anticipation that a CDV will result from that meeting. While 108/455/CD is specifically targeted for the second edition of IEC 62368-1, TC 108 has agreed to include the same technical content regarding batteries in the next editions of IEC 60065 and 60950-1.

Enabling testing
As a result of the above, it is anticipated that the next editions of IEC 60065, 60950-1, and 62368-1 will contain normative references to IEC 62133, as well as other battery standards, as appropriate.



A safe and practical decision
Since manufacturers continue to produce batteries for high-tech products covered by IEC TC 108, and testing laboratories need to provide assessments of their safety, the IECEE CMC (Certification Management Committee) made the practical decision, at its 2010 annual meeting, to exempt batteries used in high-tech products from the need to comply with IEC 62133, until new editions of the standards are published. Reviewing the situation at its 2011 meeting and responding to a request from TC 108, the CMC agreed to continue with this exemption. This has no impact on the safety of those batteries, as they still need to comply with the standards issued by TC 108.

It is anticipated that batteries that are in compliance with the next edition of IEC 62133 will also be required to comply with the next editions of the three TC 108 standards mentioned above.

IECEE developments to meet industry demand

IECEE, the IEC System of Conformity Testing and Certification for Electro-technical Equipment and Components, is a truly international conformity assessment system. The IECEE CB Scheme opens up access to the global market, while the IECEE CB-FCS (Full Certification Scheme) takes testing and certification a step further with a complete factory inspection process. IECEE is also the exclusive provider of the PV (photovoltaic) Quality Seal and Quality Mark. Technological innovations and environmental issues have prompted the setting up of additional services to meet specific demands from industry and governments worldwide.

One test, one certificate, opening many doors
Products tested and certified in one country will be accepted in all other IECEE member countries. But it doesn’t stop there. Global acceptance of the CB Scheme through the CB Test Certificates and associated CB Test Report is also effective in countries that are not part of the IECEE community. A CB Test Certificate is a global passport for the product.

The IECEE CB Scheme provides assurance that tested and certified products meet the strictest levels of safety, reliability and performance as per the requirements of the relevant IEC International Standards. It helps reduce costs and time to market, eliminates duplicate or multiple testing and offers a high level of confidence for manufacturers, retailers and consumers alike.



Factory inspection – global proof of consistent quality
The CB-FCS Scheme for Mutual Recognition of Conformity Assessment Certificates for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components is an extension of the IECEE CB Scheme that also includes factory surveillance. This scheme goes beyond product testing. It covers Type Test and regular surveillance at the factory that manufactures the relevant certified product. This is of value to manufacturers who need to provide proof that products manufactured in a given factory offer a consistent level of quality over time.

With CB-FCS, the manufacturer can complete all certification and factory surveillance steps in the country in which the factory operates. They include product sampling, testing, assessment and surveillance of assembly lines and management processes, surveillance and regular sampling and retesting of products both at the factory and/or in the market place.

CB-FCS provides proof that each product from a certified factory offers consistent levels of quality and safety. All members participating in CB-FCS mutually recognize the CA (Conformity Assessment) Certificates and associated CA Reports, including Factory Surveillance Reports, as the basis for national approval or certification. In many cases they will be sufficient for direct acceptance by the market. CB-FCS also helps reduce trade barriers caused by the application of different national certification criteria and speeds up certification and market access.

Factory Surveillance Reports can also be used as stand-alone proof of compliance of the factory where the product is manufactured and/or assembled whenever the national authorities and/or retailers, buyers and vendors require such a report.

Exclusivity of PV Quality Seal and Mark
The PV Quality Seal and Quality Mark are the internationally recognized quality benchmarks for PV products and the worldwide reference model for manufacturers of PV products and systems, as well as for suppliers of components used in PV products. They ensure that solar equipment and components are compliant with IEC International Standards in terms of safety and performance. The PV quality system is exclusive to the IECEE. PV Certificates are issued by an approved IECEE NCB (National Certification Body).

The World Bank recognizes the PV Quality Mark and recommends that it be included in every tender.



Australian regulation for PV modules
In Australia, PV modules sold and installed in the country must be tested and certified to the relevant IEC International Standards by a laboratory accepted by the IECEE System. The first CEC (Clean Energy Council of Australia) regulation was enforced in June 2009. It was complemented in March 2011 by an even stricter clause stating that certificates will be accepted only where periodic factory inspections are carried out by the NCB to ensure ongoing compliance with International Standards. Similarly, imported PV modules must be approved for use in Australia. NCBs and test laboratories must be on the IECEE list posted on the CEC website.

New services in the pipeline
IECEE is developing new services to respond to demand from industry: industrial automation and automation devices, Smart Grid – with focus on the smart home, the smart building and the smart factory – electric vehicles and energy efficiency.

Reducing cost, time and complexity through the pooling of resources

“If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it”
Lord Kelvin
First IEC President

A historic agreement between IEC and OIML will help significantly reduce cost, time and complexity for testing laboratories that are using GUM (Guide for Uncertainty Measurement).

The OIML and the IEC have agreed to maintain mutual liaisons and collaboration through:
- the International Bureau of Legal Metrology and the Central Secretariat of the International Electrotechnical Commission,
- the Secretariats of OIML Technical Committees and Subcommittees and IEC Technical Committees and Subcommittees, and
- the relevant conformity assessment systems of both Organizations.

The OIML and the IEC have also agreed to consult each other on any technical issues of joint interest and shall provide each other with any information or documentation concerning matters of mutual interest, particularly concerning legal metrology related to standardization and conformity assessment within the IECEE.


Mr. Pierre de Ruvo, Executive Secretary of the IECEE and Mr. Peter Mason, CIML (OIML) President

Past efforts pay off
This type of cooperation agreement is unprecedented in the conformity assessment world and builds on years of collaboration between the IECEE Systems and OIML through Pierre de RUVO’s action, the Executive Secretary of the IECEE.

Talking the same language.
Another objective set out by the MoU is to facilitate a coordinated application of ISO/IEC standards and guidance documents for the purpose of assessment of testing laboratories operating in the IECEE System. This includes a common understanding of the technical issues related to the Evaluation of measurement data e.g. The role of measurement uncertainty in conformity assessment.

Provisions are also made for joint training and workshops for lead assessors, and when possible, joint work on the development of harmonized procedures and policies.

About the OIML
OIML is an Intergovernmental Organization which was established to harmonize legal metrology regulations and methods of control, to solve, at the international level, technical and administrative issues as they relate to legal metrology concerning the manufacture, the use and the control of measuring instruments and to facilitate the coordination of the efforts of its Member States in this field.

About the IEC
The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is the world's leading organization that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies – collectively known as “electrotechnology”. The IEC also manages Conformity Assessment Systems that certify that equipment, systems or components conform to its International Standards.

About the IECEE
IECEE is the IEC System for Conformity Assessment of Electrotechnical Equipment and Components. It operates the CB Scheme and the Full Certification Scheme including Factory Inspections. IECEE provides third party conformity testing and certification for safety and performance of home and office equipment, home entertainment, medical devices, cables, lighting, portable tools and solar photovoltaic. The IECEE website provides a complete list of product categories.

Please click here in order to view the signed MoU.

IECEE responds to market demand
From the wheel that helped transport heavy loads to the fire that provided heat, inventions and discoveries have made life much easier. The advent of electricity was a turning point in the industrial world. Automated operations were introduced that could be performed without the need for human intervention. The development of automation throughout the 20th century brought enormous changes: some jobs disappeared, others underwent major transformations and new ones were created.


Automation combines the use of control systems and information technology applications to provide solutions to different industrial needs

Clear advantages of automated processes
The advantages of having automated systems were soon recognized by industry. Human operators can be replaced in tasks that involve hard physical or monotonous work, or those that are performed in hazardous environments such as fires, nuclear facilities, underwater and so forth. Automated systems can also undertake jobs that cannot be performed by human beings because of demands such as speed, size, weight or endurance. Automated processes often result in higher end quality and reliability in the assembly chain.

The automotive industry has been transformed radically by the development of automation, but it is not the only one. Over time, the food industry, pharmaceutical and other manufacturing companies have relied heavily on automation to produce more and at lower cost. Today, it can be said that most sectors of industry use at least some element of automation.

Complex systems
The rapid evolution of IT (information technology) in the second part of the 20th century has also enabled engineers to create more and more complex control systems integrating the factory floor.


Automated production line in solar silicon factory

IEC support
The IEC has a number of TCs (Technical Committees) that prepare standards that deal with specific areas of industrial automation. IEC TC 65: Industrial-process measurement, control and automation, provides many of the standards that are relevant for industry. IEC TC 17: Switchgear and controlgear, IEC TC 22: Power electronic systems and equipment and IEC TC 44: Safety of machinery - Electrotechnical aspects, all play important roles in this field.

Certification for industrial automation
Most of the standards developed by these IEC TCs are already integrated in services provided by IECEE, the IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components. However, IECEE WG (Working Group) 2: Business Development, identified a market need for a specific service dedicated to industrial automation and has put in place the development of a new service that will provide manufacturers not only with a list of IEC International Standards that are essential in industrial automation, but also enable them to have their products and systems tested and certified by IECEE TLs (Testing Laboratories) and CBs (Certification Bodies).


Control systems tie together production, material ordering, consumption monitoring, process supervision, costing, maintenance

Benefits of the IECEE System
The IECEE System is open to any manufacturer anywhere in the world. Today, more than 50 000 manufacturers benefit from the IECEE CB Scheme, enabling them to trade their products on the global market. More than half a million IECEE CB Test Certificates have been issued over the last 10 years.

In most countries IECEE Test Reports and Test Certificates are proof of compliance to regulatory requirements. Retailers, buyers and vendors are happy to import electrical goods that have been tested and certified by the IECEE System.

CBTL UL Taiwan has been transferred from NCB UL Demko to NCB UL for Product Category CAP

IECEE, the IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components, held its annual series of meetings in Istanbul, Turkey, during the last week of June 2011. IECEE Executive Secretary Pierre de Ruvo made a presentation on the System's activities over the past 12 months and highlighted the good results obtained by CB Test Certificates.



Number of IECEE CB Test Certificates is soaring
In his presentation to the CMC (Certification Management Board) meeting that took place on 29-30 June, IECEE Executive Secretary Pierre de Ruvo provided information on the number of CBTCs (CB Test Certificates) issued in 2010 and informed the IECEE Members that the consolidated results show a continuous growth: 71 892 CBTCs were issued in 2010, a 20% increase compared with the previous year’s results (59 654 CBTCs).

The direct acceptance in the market place by retailers, buyers, vendors, regulators and national authorities is also growing, making the IECEE System the benchmark of third-party conformity assessment worldwide.



Top product categories
EMC – Electromagnetic compatibility
HOUS – Household and similar equipment
INST – Installation accessories and connection devices
LITE – Luminaires
MEAS – Measurement, control and laboratory equipment
MED – Electrical equipment for medical use
OFF – IT and office equipment
TOOL – Portable tools
TRON – Electronics, entertainment

 

Please click here in order to download an electronic copy of the new Hazardous Substances brochure.

 

IECEE to propose new Conformity Assessment service



In commercial and office buildings, energy is consumed by appliances and equipment, from computers and copiers to water coolers and lighting. Heating and cooling equipment – often out of sight – is another major source of energy consumption.

Huge progress has been made in recent years to develop and manufacture appliances and equipment that consume much less energy than they used to when energy saving wasn’t a pressing issue. Today’s appliances often consume less than half of the electricity they would have used in the past, despite the new products’ added features.

Improving energy efficiency in commercial and office buildings saves money, reduces emissions and can also improve productivity. Many countries have developed, or are developing, strategies for energy savings and emissions reduction from appliances and are passing legislation to that effect.

Energy efficiency through IEC standards…
Standards can serve as basis for regulations and legislation in the energy efficiency field. The IEC has a whole catalogue of International Standards that deal not only with safety requirements for appliances and equipment, but also provide metrics and testing specifications to achieve optimal energy consumption.

Manufacturers of appliances and equipment for commercial and office buildings can rely on IEC International Standards to develop state-of-the-art products that meet the strictest safety and energy-efficiency requirements. Going a step further, they can rely on the IECEE, the IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components, to have their products tested and certified.



…and certification
IECEE has been testing and certifying appliances and equipment for many years, focusing on product safety and, when required by the standards – dealing with ballasts for example – also providing services covering performance aspects. And now, responding to industry’s demand, it is about to launch a new service for energy efficiency.

New IECEE service
IECEE Working Group 2: Business development, has prepared recommendations for approval at the next CMC (Certification Management Committee) meeting to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, on 29-30 June 2011. One of those recommendations deals with the launch of CA (Conformity Assessment) services for energy efficiency/performance of end products such as washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, office equipment and so forth.

This service will provide a Test Report issued by a IECEE CBTL (Certification Body Testing Laboratory) and validated by a STR (Statement of Test Result) issued by an IECEE NCB (National Certification Body). The service can be used as a stand-alone service or as a combined safety and energy efficiency/performance service, upon request from the manufacturer, where both Test Reports are attached to the CB Test Certificate or the FCS (Full Certification Scheme) Certificate issued by the IECEE NCB.



IECEE facilitates access to market
CB Scheme
A CB Test Certificate is a global passport for products to be accepted in all IECEE member countries. It is so well known that global acceptance is a reality, even in countries that are not part of the IECEE community. “One test, one international certificate” opens the doors of the global market.

The IECEE CB Scheme provides the assurance that tested and certified products meet the strictest safety, reliability and performance in compliance with the relevant IEC International Standards. It helps reduce costs and time to market, eliminates duplicate or multiple testing and offers a high level of confidence for manufacturers, retailers and consumers alike.

CB-FCS
The CB-FCS Scheme for Mutual Recognition of Conformity Assessment Certificates for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components is an extension of the IECEE CB Scheme in that it also includes the initial factory inspection and regular factory surveillance. This goes far beyond product testing and includes a complete follow-up through the surveillance at the factory or factories where the certified product is manufactured. This is interesting for manufacturers who need to provide proof that products manufactured in a given factory offer a consistent level of quality over time.

 

The new Member Body for Malaysia is the Department of Standards Malaysia

 

The new contact details are:

 

Address: Level 1 & 2, Block 2300, Century Square Jalan Usahawan 63000 Cyberjaya Selangor MALAYSIA

 

Contact person: Mr. Hussalmizzar Hussain

Email: mizzar@standardsmalaysia.gov.my

 

Phone: + 603-8319 1475

Fax: + 603-8319 1511

 

 

IECEE at forefront in certification of portable electric tools

Sunny days. Milder temperatures. No doubt spring is back. If you have a garden, it’s time to resume all the great outdoor activities the winter interrupted. Mowing the lawn, pruning the trees, fixing things around the house, uncovering and filling the pool (if you’re lucky enough to have one) and getting the barbecue ready are some of the tasks to be performed before you can relax and enjoy the good life in your garden.



Powerful tools...

Gardening and doing DIY (do it yourself) in and around the house are leisure activities that can be very physical, requiring some strength and elbow grease. Electrical lawnmowers, hedge trimmers and cutters, shears or saws may be much easier to handle than the older tools they have replaced, but you’ll still be digging, weeding out, trimming, sawing, shearing or planting.

Not to forget the safety aspect. These electrical tools are extremely powerful and need to be handled with the utmost caution to avoid accidents and injuries.



...standardized...

Electrical hand-held tool manufacturers have at their disposal a vast array of standards and specifications for the design and production of these devices. The IEC in particular, through its TC (Technical Committee) 116: Safety of motor-operated electric tools, has published two series of International Standards that cover specific safety requirements in that field.

The first series is IEC 60745 covering safety requirements for hand-held motor-operated electric tools, such as several types of saws, drills, planers, trimmers, strapping tools, jointers, screwdrivers and impact wrenches, drain cleaners, cut-off machines, grinders, sanders and polishers, hammers, spray guns for non-flammable liquids and shears.

This series takes into consideration the common hazards presented by hand-held tools and encountered by all persons in the normal use and reasonably foreseeable misuse of the tools.

The second is IEC 61029 on safety requirements for transportable motor-operated electric tools that are not covered in IEC 60745 and include circular and other types of saws, bench grinders, threading machines, planers and thicknessers, diamond drills and single spindle vertical moulders.

Both series are built on the same model, with a Part 1 providing general requirements that apply to all types of tools and a Part 2 covering particular requirements for particular types of tools.



...tested and certified

Having these tools designed and manufactured according to IEC International Standards is just the first step. Manufacturers then need to prove that their products are indeed conforming to these standards. Again, the IEC has the solution, through IECEE, the IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components.

The IECEE CB Scheme, through its registered CBTLs (Certification Body Testing Laboratories) and NCBs (National Certification Bodies), can test and certify all electrical hand-held tools manufactured against the IEC series of International Standards listed above.

When testing hand-held electric tools, IECEE focuses on multiple aspects. These include protection against access to live parts, input and current, endurance, abnormal operation, mechanical hazards and strength, switches, internal wiring, supply connection and external flexible cords, provisions for earthing and resistance to heat, fire and rust.

The IECEE CB Scheme provides the assurance that tested and certified products meet the strictest safety, reliability and performance as per the requirements of the relevant IEC standards. It helps reduce costs and time to market, eliminates duplicate or multiple testing and offers a high level of confidence for manufacturers, retailers and consumers alike.

When the manufacturer needs a follow-up factory inspection, IECEE can also provide this service through the IECEE CB-FCS (Full Certification Scheme). In addition to the Type Test of the product, the Scheme also offers Factory Surveillance with sampling and re-testing service to ensure that the whole production is under control with respect to the initial assessment of the product and the assembly line.

 

IEC and IECEE activities presented at APEC meeting in Washington DC

IECEE Executive Secretary Pierre de Ruvo was in Washington DC, US (United States), to attend an APEC meeting and present IEC standardization and CA (Conformity Assessment) activities. During his stay, he had the rare opportunity to visit the White House at the invitation of a US government official.



Pierre de Ruvo was invited by the US Department of Commerce and APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) SCSC (Subcommittee on Standards and Conformance) to participate in the 6th Conference on GRP (Good Regulatory Practice) on 1-2 March 2011.

The two-day event gathered government and private sector officials from the 21 APEC member countries and representatives of international organizations. The discussions emphasized the need to develop practical guidance on how to choose and design efficient and effective mechanisms to strengthen the implementation of the WTO (World Trade Organization) TBT (Technical Barriers to Trade) Agreement. The conference also served to reinforce the technical understanding and implementation of good regulatory practices in APEC economies by engaging regulators and stakeholders in discussions on how to best promote transparency and cooperation in rulemaking.

High-level roundtable on standards development

On 1 March, de Ruvo participated in the Roundtable Discussion with Leaders in Standards Development: Challenges in Engaging Regulators and other Stakeholders in Standards Development and Use, moderated by Mary Saunders, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services in the US Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration. Representatives of ASTM International, IEEE and ISO (International Organization for Standardization)representatives completed the panel.

The roundtable focused on how to promote standardization activities and attract regulator participation in standards development and, more generally, how to achieve greater participation from APEC member countries. Discussions also raised the questions of how international or regional SDOs (Standards Development Organizations) promote the use of standards in regulations, how they inform regulators about new and revised standards and how they facilitate and increase awareness of standards and their use in regulations.

IEC International Standards fit the bill

IEC International Standards provide the technical frameworks, metrics and specifications regulators can refer to in their legislation. As technologies evolve, standards are revised accordingly and legislation is automatically updated. Standards also provide governments with technical references in public tenders, lending confidence that products meet commonly agreed requirements, rules and specifications.

This was a good opportunity for de Ruvo to explain the IEC consensus-based standards development process, the 100 % electronic environment available for all IEC technical experts, and the national adoption of IEC International Standards by all IEC members and many of the countries participating in the IEC Affiliate Country Programme.

IECEE Certification mandatory for Australian PV modules

On 2 March, de Ruvo made a presentation in a session entitled Conformity Assessment Practices to Support Better Regulatory Outcomes. The first part of his presentation introduced the IECEE, the IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components, its activities and how the CB (Certification Body) Scheme and the FCS (FullCertification Scheme) work. He went on to explain how products built to IEC International Standards and tested and certified by IECEE get faster market access in many countries; how IECEE Schemes greatly simplify the global certification process by reducing the number of steps required to obtain certification at the national level; how this in turn reduces trade barriers caused by different national certification criteria, because the IECEE System provides a standardized approach to testing and certification.

Because IECEE members mutually accept certificates issued by another member of the System, it is possible to say that one test, one factory inspection and one certification open the doors to all member countries.

In the second part, de Ruvo presented a case study on Australia where PV (photovoltaic) modules sold and installed in the country must be tested and certified to the relevant IEC International Standards by a laboratory accepted by IECEE. The first CEC (Clean Energy Council) of Australia regulation was enforced in June 2009, complemented in March 2011 by an even stricter clause stating that certificates will be accepted only where periodic factory inspections are carried out by the CB (Certification Body) to ensure ongoing compliance with International Standards. Similarly, imported PV modules must be approved for use in Australia.

CBs and test laboratories must be on the IECEE list posted on the CEC website.

About APEC

APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim countries that seeks to promote free trade and economic cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Established in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific economies and the advent of regional economic blocs in other parts of the world – for example the EU (European Union) and NAFTA (North American Free Trade Area) – APEC works to raise living standards and education levels through sustainable economic growth and to foster a sense of community and an appreciation of shared interests among Asia-Pacific countries. Members account for approximately 40 % of the world's population, approximately 55 % of world GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and about 44 % of world trade.

The APEC members are: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, USA and Vietnam.

APEC USA 2011

An annual APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting is attended by the heads of government of all APEC members except the Republic of China (Taiwan) which is represented under the name Chinese Taipei by a ministerial-level official. The location of the meeting rotates annually among the member economies. This year it is the turn of the USA to host the series of meetings. The APEC Leaders’ Meeting is scheduled to take place in Honolulu, Hawaii, in November 2011.

White House visit



While in Washington for the APEC SCS meeting, Pierre de Ruvo and a few other participants had the rare opportunity to visit the White House in the company of Julia Doherty, Chair, APEC Subcommittee on Standards and Conformance, Senior Director, Non-Tariff Measures, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

 

The new Member Body for Netherlands is the NEC Netherlands Electrotechnical Committee

 

The new contact details are:

 

Address: P.O. Box 5059  2600 GB Delft Netherlands

Vlinderweg 6    2623 AX Delft Netherlands

 

Contact person: Mr. G.J. Dirkse

Email: gert.dirkse@nen.nl

 

Phone: +31152690201

Fax: +31152690242

 

 

CBTL Fujian Provincial Central Inspection Institute (FCII). has changed name into Fujian Inspection and Research Institute for Product Quality(FQII)

 

 

 

NCB and CBTL TraC EMC Safety Ltd. have changed name into TRaC Global Ltd.

This change is effective since 2011-04-04.

 

Safety and performance of batteries certified by IECEE
As EVs (electric vehicles) make their comeback — they were first seen in the 1900s and then briefly in the 1970s — much of the focus is on batteries, their main power source. Fuel-powered and hybrid cars, trucks, buses, locomotives and aircraft also rely on batteries to start their engine or, in some cases, the APU (auxiliary power unit).



Fuel-powered electric, vehicles need batteries
Automotive batteries are rechargeable batteries that supply electric energy to automobiles, buses and trucks, powering the starter, the lights, and the ignition system of a vehicle’s engine.

Traction batteries are used as the main power source of EVs, be they cars, buses, locomotives and any other type of electric vehicle.



Aircraft use batteries as well
Like car batteries, aircraft batteries serve to start the engines or the auxiliary power unit. But their role doesn’t stop there. They are an essential component of the aircraft. In-flight electrical generation failure is an emergency that calls on the batteries to power the essential loads until landing and evacuation. They have even been used to restart the engines after the rare cases of engine flame-out. They also act as a buffer regulating the DC (direct current) network voltage, ensuring acceptable power quality for the equipment connected to it.



Standardizing batteries
IEC TC (Technical Committee) 21: Secondary cells and batteries, is developing International Standards that deal with methods of tests and specific requirements for batteries used in fuel-powered and electric vehicles as well as in aircraft.

IEC TC 69: Electric road vehicles and electric industrial trucks, is developing International Standards that cover wiring and connectors for traction batteries, rotating machines (traction and auxiliary motors) for EVs.

Testing and certifying batteries
IECEE, the IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components, is another essential player when it comes to certifying batteries. The IECEE CB Scheme, through its registered CBTLs (Certification Body Testing Laboratories), and NCBs (National Certification Bodies), can test and certify the batteries used in fuel-powered cars, EVs and aircraft against IEC International Standards, the IEC 61982 series in particular.

When testing and certifying EV batteries, IECEE focuses on multiple aspects. Electrical energy storage is an important element that will have an impact on EV range and battery-charging frequency. Endurance and lifespan are also under scrutiny.

To avoid risks such as overheating and short circuits, parameters such as voltage, current, power and temperature also need to be measured and tested.

IECEE tackles hazardous substances
Many countries have passed, or are considering, legislation limiting the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products, including batteries. Consequently, manufacturers are under great pressure to produce "clean" products in order to comply with said legislation.

The IECEE has started a CA (Conformity Assessment) programme for hazardous substances in response to manufacturers’ need to offer products that meet hazardous-substance-free specific local, national and international requirements.

List of IEC International Standards
Many IEC International Standards are used as a basis for testing and certifying all types of batteries. Among those, some are specific to automotive vehicles or aircraft:

IEC International Standards
IEC 60095-1
Lead-acid starter batteries - Part 1: General requirements and methods of test

IEC 60254-1
Lead-acid traction batteries - Part 1: General requirements and methods of tests

IEC 60254-2
Lead-acid traction batteries - Part 2: Dimensions of cells and terminals and marking of polarity on cells

IEC/TR 60783
Wiring and connectors for electric road vehicles

IEC/TR 60785
Rotating machines for electric road vehicles

IEC 60952-1
Aircraft batteries - Part 1: General test requirements and performance levels

IEC 60952-2
Aircraft batteries - Part 2: Design and construction requirements

IEC 60952-3
Aircraft batteries - Part 3: Product specification and declaration of design and performance (DDP)

IEC 60982-1
Secondary batteries for the propulsion of electric road vehicles - Part 1: Test parameters

IEC 60982-2
Secondary batteries for the propulsion of electric road vehicles - Part 2: Dynamic discharge performance test and dynamic endurance test

IEC 60982-3
Secondary batteries for the propulsion of electric road vehicles - Part 3: Performance and life testing (traffic compatible, urban use vehicles)

NCB NCI has been accepted to operate as a Recognizing NCB within the IECEE System

CBTL SP Swedish National Testing and Research Institute has been transferred from NCB Nemko AS to NCB Intertek Semko AB

Today, safety is a concept understood by all. We want safety in the home, the workplace, the street, the car. In brief, we want it everywhere. We rightly consider that we are entitled to live in a safe environment. This has not always been the case. Our ancestors lived a much more dangerous life.



Safety: a 20th century concept

For centuries, safety was not a matter of public concern. Accidents were regarded as inevitable.

The perception began to change with the Industrial Revolution. Long hours, frequent injuries, unhealthy environment and dangerous machinery were the lot of the factory worker in those days. The second half of the 19th century saw the emergence of the first labour organizations fighting for better work conditions and compensations for on-the-job injuries. The development of electrical machinery in the 20th century was a major technological advancement, but the downside was that it brought with it new types of accidents and injuries. Laws were passed, measures were taken to offer better work conditions. But the evolution was slow. The turning point came after World War II. Safety became a growing concern for everyone, and not just in the workplace.

Public vs. occupational

The concept of public and occupational safety took its full importance in the 1960s and 1970s.

Public safety deals with hazards in the home, in travel and recreation, and in other situations that do not fall within the scope of occupational safety.

Occupational safety is concerned with protecting the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. The goal of all occupational health and safety programs is to foster a safe work environment. It may also protect co-workers, family members, employers, customers, suppliers, nearby communities, and other members of the public who are impacted by the workplace environment. It may involve interactions among many subject areas, including occupational medicine, occupational (or industrial) hygiene, public health, safety engineering, chemistry and health physics.

IECEE brings safety and reliability to electrical equipment

IECEE, the IEC System of Conformity Testing and Certification for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components, ensures that electrical products and equipment are reliable and meet expectations in terms of performance, safety, durability and other criteria. This includes not only medical electrical equipment, but also risk hazards for patients, operators such as doctors and nurses, and maintenance personnel . IECEE has put a special emphasis on this sector in recent years.

MEE Task Force

IECEE set up the IECEE MEE (Medical Electrical Equipment) Task Force in 2007. Its task is to deal with the implementation of risk management requirements in the third edition of IEC 60601-1, Medical electrical equipment - Part 1: General requirements for basic safety and essential performance.

The Task Force consists of about 20 members who represent various interests in the field of medical electrical equipment (industry, government agencies, certification bodies, IEC Technical Committees). The group is responsible for:

* developing guidelines and working instructions on how to implement the relevant clauses of IEC 60601-1 in helping manufacturers demonstrate compliance with “risk management process” as set down in ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 14971, Medical devices - Application of risk management to medical devices

* establishing a consensus with acceptable methods to determine compliance with all the relevant clauses (related to ISO 14971) of IEC 60601-1 Ed. 3

* developing a checklist aimed at assisting the medical equipment industry, official authorities and stakeholders around the world in testing in the appropriate manner

* acting as an Advisory Group on the common understanding of ISO 14971 with respect to IEC 60601-1 organizing specific training sessions dealing with risk management issues

Opening doors

IECEE certification, based on the principle of mutual recognition (reciprocal acceptance) by its members of test results for obtaining certification or approval at national level, is also essential in facilitating international trade, allowing direct access to the marketplace for regulators, vendors, retailers or buyers. It eliminates unnecessary duplicate testing and reduces the costs related to the certification process.

Since 1985, the IECEE has positioned itself as the global testing and certification system for electrotechnical equipment, issuing more than 500 000 certificates recognized worldwide. The system is still developing new programmes to provide manufacturers and consumers alike with the highest possible level of safety, performance and reliability.

More information on IECEE: www.iecee.org

For more information on risk management, please read the article on the subject in this issue of e-tech

The new Canadian Member Body for Canada is the CNC/IECEE.

 

Darryl Kingston replaces Begonia Lojk as the member body representative for Canada.

 

Contact:

 

Darryl Kingston

Secretary

CNC/IECEE

200-270 Albert St. Ottawa ON K1P 6N7

Email: dkingston@scc.ca

Phone: 613 238-3222, Ext. 445

 

Daniel Ethier should remain as Administrative Officer as it was before.

 

Daniel Ethier

Administrative Officer

CNC/IECEE

200-270 Albert St. Ottawa ON K1P 6N7

Email: dethier@scc.ca

Phone: 613 238-3222, Ext. 448

The PAC expressed support for not including Risk Management in Power Supplies based on the rationale that Risk Management is to be repeated in the end-product and that in consequence thereof it shall be possible to issue stand alone CB Test Certificates (and CB-FCS Certificates) for Power Supplies without including Risk Management assessments.

More information from the MEE Task Force is available in the IECEE FAQ page under: http://www.iecee.org/html/frequently_asked_questions.html#power

The common practice of validation of a CB Test Certificate is confirmed.

When granting a GS Mark, it is not necessary for the IECEE Recognizing NCB B (also GS Mark Body) to show a subcontracting agreement/order to sub-contract test work to the IECEE Issuing NCB A (Originator of the CB Certificate and CB Test Report) , provided that NCB A and NCB B are Registered IECEE NCBs in the IECEE System.

The responsibility for the completeness, correctness and updating of the IECEE CB Test Report, when processing recognition from NCB A, is placed on the Recognizing NCB B (GS Mark Body).

The CB Test Report must have been completed by a Registered IECEE-CB Testing Laboratory accepted to operate the relevant Product Category / Standard(s) in its scope and using either its own facilities or the Testing at Manufacturer Premises Programme (TMP).

Modern household appliances make life easier. They lighten the burden of household chores and offer more time for leisure. As smart as they are, they still use electricity and may represent a serious potential hazard to children and adults alike. Please click here to read the full article.

KEMA Quality was acquired by DEKRA on 30 October 2009. In order to emphasize the integration of KEMA Quality into DEKRA, our company name and brand identity will change from KEMA Quality B.V. to DEKRA Certification B.V. on 29 December 2010.

All rights and obligations deriving from certificates, certification agreements and other contracts with KEMA Quality B.V. will be continued under the name of DEKRA Certification B.V. All testing, inspection, auditing and certification activities of the former KEMA Quality will remain unchanged. This also applies to certification marks such as KEMA-KEUR.
We kindly ask you to process this name change in your administration where applicable. Our address, phone, fax, Chamber of Commerce registration and VAT numbers as well as our bank account number will remain unchanged.

How to contact KEMA/DEKRA
From 1 January 2011 onwards, the email addresses of contacts in the company will change from …@kema.com into …@dekra.com. Please update your address book accordingly. On the same date our global English-language website www.kemaquality.com will become www.dekra-certification.com.

In case of any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your contact person or email to annefre.vollema@kema.com or ingrid.stolwijk@kema.com mentioning name change.

As all companies in the KEMA Quality are in the process of changing their company name into DEKRA, you may be informed separately by other KEMA Quality companies about the name change.

MEEI Kft. member of TÜV Rheinland Group and TÜV Rheinland Intercert Kft. will be merged with effect of 1 January 2011.
The new company name is TÜV Rheinland Intercert Kft., whereas all the activities and address of MEEI Kft. will remain unchanged in the division named "MEEI".