International standard are known as technical standards created by the international organisations like Codex Alimentarius in food, the World Health Organisation Guidelines in health, or ITU Recommendations in ICT and are funded publicly and also are available freely for consideration and are use worldwide.

For purchasing IEC Standards and other IEC Publications one need to follow few steps and they are as follows:

• a) One must go to the Government Website of DGFT, then on the left-hand side, under Quick Links one can see Online IEC Application and then have to click on that.
• b) Then the applicant must click on LOGIN FOR IEC ONLINE page when it appears. Then the applicant must enter their PAN Number.
• c) The applicant has to update the Master Data and all the steps are mentioned in details.
• c) The applicant has to update the Master Data and all the steps are mentioned in details.
• e) Next the applicant has to make payment and the amount is 500/-.
• f) Next, PREVIEW the applicant have an option to preview the application and can make necessary changes if required.
• g) Finally, the applicant must submit the IEC application. The most important thing one have to keep in mind while submitting that the applicant must be very careful while choosing the correct Jurisdiction DGFT as per the location.

Standards are developed through consensus by committees of affected stakeholders which may include representatives from industry, academia, governments, public interest. These committees are created and managed by an organisation that specialises in the standards development.

Horizontal standards means general standards that are applicable to multiple industries. Horizontal Standards are the OSHA standards that are applicable to most of the workplaces. For examples: PPE, Fire Protection, Hazard Communication.

Conformity assessment confirms products’ compliance with the requirements of applicable standards as well as technical regulations. Conformity of products is a proof by the issuance of a certificate of Conformity (CoC), a document that is compulsory for the clearance of customs.

IECEE is the IEC System for Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment as well as components. IECEE is a multilateral certification system based on IEC International Standards. The members of the IECEE use the principle of mutual recognition of test results to get certification at national level around the world. The Schemes of IECEE looks after the safety, quality, efficiency and overall performance of components, devices and equipment for homes, offices, workshops, health facilities. Among all, IECEE covers almost 22 categories of electrical and electronic and testing services. The IECEE schemes help to reduce the barrier of trade caused by different certification criteria in different countries an helps the industry to access new markets. Moreover, the IECEE schemes eliminates the delays and costs of multiple testing and allows companies to market their products faster by reducing overall manufacturing costs.

The abbreviation of IECQ is International Electrotechnical Commission Quality Assessment System for Electronic Components. The IECQ is a worldwide approval and a certification system which covers the supply of electronic components and associated materials and assembles and processes. IECQ uses quality assessment specifications that are based on International Standards prepared by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The IECQ is all about cost-cutting as well as assurance.

IECRE is regarded as the IEC System for Certification to Standard relating to equipment for the usage in Renewable Energy Applications. The aims of IECRE are to facilitate international trade in equipment and services for the use in Renewable Energy Sectors while maintaining the required level of safety.

The abbreviation of IECEx is International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for the usage in Explosive Atmosphere. IECEx supplies a risk management tool for manufacturers, regulators, and users of equipment used in hazardous areas or explosion from flammable or explosion.

Any country that can demonstrate that its National Committee has been constituted according with the IEC Statutes and Rules of procedure might apply to become a full member of IEC. The IEC full member has to pay their yearly membership fee and have the possibility to send experts to participate actively of their choice in any technical committee. The member of IEC may also apply for management positions and functions in the IEC and also have the voting rights in the council of IEC. Besides, some countries can have the option to become an IEC Associate Member.

India is a member in Standards Management Board (SMB) of IEC since 2015 and also elected for the second term in 2018-2020. India has participating member status in 92 Technical Committees and observer member status is 74 Technical Committees of IEC. Moreover, India holds the convenorship on 6 IEC committees.

The IEC Affiliate Country Programme permits developing and newly industrialising countries to participate in IEC work and also in the IEC Conformity Assessment Systems without having the financial burden of the membership. The IEC Affiliate Country Programme that was organised in the year 2001, has helped many countries to increase the quality of their infrastructure, gain technical expertise to participate in international standardisation and also to better understand and apply testing as well as certification. Besides, the countries that are interested may join the programme without having a financial burden of membership, by the invitation from the IEC General Secretary and CEO.

The young professional programme offers an important networking platform and also a unique opportunity to help shape the international standardization and conformity assessment work. The advantage of IEC is to increase the participation of young experts who bring new ideas to its activities. Each and every year the young professional programme takes new participants- engineers, managers, and technicians who are involved in the fields of electricity and electronics. The participants willing to participate in this IEC young professional programme must be of early 20- mid 30 age. Moreover, the IEC young professional programme is committed to the world’s upcoming electrotechnology experts and leaders and its aim is to increase their involvement in the work of IEC.

The full form of IEC is Importer- Exporter Code. IEC is regarded as a key business identification number that is compulsory for the purpose of export from India as well for the purpose of import to India. Without having an IEC no export as well as import must be made by any person. The IEC was founded in London and held its first meeting on 26th and 27th June in the year 1906.