Encouraging sustainable development change

In September 2015, the United Nations published 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with an aim to enhancing world peace and prosperity, eradicate hunger and poverty, and to protect people
and the planet by 2030. It calls for innovation and broad collaboration between public and private society.

IEC International Standards and IEC Conformity Assessment (CA) Systems contribute to all of the 17 SDGs. They provide the foundation that allows all countries and industries to adopt or build sustainable technologies and apply best practice, and they form the basis for innovation as well as quality and risk management.

IEC International Standards embody global consensus on methodologies, processes and specifications and are often used in regulations. They enhance access to technology and innovation, promote the development, transfer and dissemination of environmentally sound technologies and facilitate participation in global trade.

Enable access  to basic services

Often access to a reliable supply of electricity, clean water, education, more efficient farming and off-grid lighting are the first steps to overcoming poverty.

By strengthening the cold chain post-harvest and slaughtering, food waste and greenhouse gas emissions could be halved. This would directly help reduce world hunger. Today, more than 1/3 of food produced is not eaten, and much is wasted due to a lack of cooling. IEC work provides the foundation for domestic and industrial cooling systems. The IEC also helps increase disaster resilience for basic infrastructure and enables advances in agriculture.

1.4     Equal rights to economic resources, access to basic                   services, appropriate new technology

IEC work provides the technical foundation for access to services such as electricity, clean water, education, more efficient farming, lighting, information technology or refrigeration.

1.5     Reduce exposure and vulnerability to climate-related                  events and other economic, social and environmental                 shocks and disasters

IEC International Standards help increase the resilience of basic infrastructure in the face of disasters and reduce their economic and social impact. Testing and certification allow governments to better manage quality and risk of infrastructure and devices to protect the basic safety of people and the environment.

2.1     Ensure access by all people to safe nutritions and                      sufficient food all year round

IEC work provides the foundation for domestic and industrial cooling systems to reduce food spoilage and keep food longer fresh and safe from the producer, to the manufacturer, to the consumer.

2.3     Increase agricultural productivity and income of small-                scale food producers

The impact of electricity in agriculture is far reaching. IEC work covers lighting used in chick and pig farming or for growing plants; electric motors that drive barn machines such as root cutters, grain crushers, hay driers; ventilation or water pumps; electric fences, milking machines and refrigerated milk tanks, and much more.

3.1 Reduce global maternal mortality ratio

IEC work covers lighting and medical equipment used in maternity wards. A woman giving birth in an electrified health clinic is less likely to die in childbirth. Electricity also ensures that a baby’s first breath is of fresh air, not candles or kerosene fumes.

3.2     End preventable deaths of children under 5 years of age,            reduce neonatal mortality

A child born in an electrified health clinic is less likely to die because of prolonged labour, asphyxia or pre-term birth complications. Pre-natal maternal care such as ultrasound can help identify risks for mother or child. Emergency medical services can help reduce mortality rates. The replacement of kerosene with solar lighting helps reduce respiratory diseases and burn accidents among young children. Refrigeration of baby and infant food reduces mortality rates through diarrhoea. All relevant technologies are covered by IEC work.

3.4     Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable         diseases through prevention and treatment

Ambient and household air pollution and related cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are responsible for a high number of deaths in developing countries. They directly result from the use of polluting fuels for lighting and cooking. IEC work facilitates access to clean off-grid electricity and solar lighting.

SDG 3 I Safe medical devices

3.8     Achieve access to quality essential healthcare services                   and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable              essential medicines and vaccines for all

Immunization saves millions of lives and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective health interventions. Vaccines are fragile. They must be kept cold and deteriorate rapidly after they are removed from storage. IEC work contributes to the safe manufacturing and proper cooling of vaccines. IEC work also underpins the safety and reliability of essential medical devices used in diagnosis and treatment.

3.9     Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from                  hazardous chemicals

The IEC publishes standards and guides that help reduce the use of hazardous chemicals in manufacturing, and improve waste management and end-of-life recycling.

Access to education

Obtaining a quality education is the first steppingstone towards creating sustainable development. Today, education increasingly depends on electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops or computers, which are often also connected to the internet. All of them are underpinned by IEC work.

4.A Build and upgrade education facilities, and inclusive and    effective learning environments for all, with access to     electricity, the Internet, computers, etc.

The IEC provides the technical foundation for electricity and internet access as well as for electrical and electronic hardware such as computers, routers, video, radio, mobile phones, etc. that support effective learning environments.

Less hardship,  more opportunities

Access to clean water nearby, lighting after dark, including in health facilities, online education, reliable electricity supply, all contribute to enhancing the health and status of women in society. They allow women to focus more on value-added tasks, contributing to local economies while reducing the time they spend on daily chores.

5.2     Eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls                        in public and private spheres

Gender based violence often happens after dark: women need the security and protection afforded by lighting.

5.5     Ensure women’s full and effective participation and                     equal opportunities

Energy poverty costs time and money: girls and women spend 2 to 8 hours daily gathering fuel for lighting and cooking, and a high percentage of household income is spent on low-quality energy, such as kerosene. IEC work enables access to sustainable electricity, lighting, and clean water nearby. This allows women to spend more time contributing to local economies and societies.

5.B Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communication technology, to promote the empowerment of women

IEC International Standards underpin all types of communication technology including computer hardware, internet access, data storage systems and software.

Safe and affordable water

Demand for drinking water is forecast to rise by 55% until 2050. The supply of clean water is complex: pumps extract water from wells, rivers, lakes or oceans. The water is then transported through pipelines to be purified, filtered or desalinated. Even the simplest water treatment plants employ electric pumps, valves and scrapers. More modern systems also have thousands of sensors that control the length of water flow on taps, toilets or irrigation systems. All of them rely on IEC work.

The IEC has over 90 standards from 28 IEC TC/SCs that enable water management and control.

6.1 Safe and affordable drinking water for all

IEC work is foundational for water management from extraction to use and reuse. Supplying and treating water requires many electrical and electronic devices and systems.

6.3     Reducing water pollution, increase wastewater               treatment and reuse

Monitoring chemical use in manufacturing; the electrification of shipping at sea and in harbours can significantly reduce water pollution. Wastewater treatment is also underpinned by IEC International Standards.

6.4 More efficient water use and reduced water scarcity

Sensors on taps and toilets control water flow. Irrigation systems and reuse of brown water for sanitation can increase efficiency of water use and reduce water scarcity.

6.A     Water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency,       wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies

Multiple technologies that enable water harvesting and desalination, as well as sensor driven irrigation systems and water purification/reuse technologies are underpinned by IEC work.

Energy – the golden thread

Energy, and especially electricity, is the golden thread that impacts all SDGs. The United Nations has recognized energy as the cornerstone for economic development, facilitating poverty and hunger reduction efforts, improving healthcare, education and empowering women.

IEC work is essential in providing affordable and reliable energy services, both off-grid and on-grid and in upgrading and expanding a reliable energy infrastructure. It provides the foundation for testing, certification and for the measurement of energy efficiency.

IEC International Standards enable technology transfer and the broad roll-out of more efficient technologies. They underpin energy infrastructure investment for example by the World Bank.

IEC work provides the solid foundation for the whole energy chain, and all equipment that is driven by electricity. Over 160 IEC TC/SCs directly contribute to SDG 7. With over 1 000 standards and all four IEC CA Systems, IEC work covers all forms of power generation, both on-grid and off-grid, from traditional (hydro, coal, gas, oil, nuclear) to all renewable energy sources (wind, solar, marine, geothermal, etc.).

IEC International Standards allow all countries to benefit from the technology transfer of more energy efficient technologies.

7.1 Access to affordable, reliable energy services

IEC work in standardization and conformity assessment helps governments and industry build off-grid and on-grid energy generation and distribution systems that are interoperable and resilient. It enables innovation and helps address the energy challenge by facilitating the transition to renewable energy. The IEC has also published several hundred standards that underpin energy efficient technologies and directly impact the energy efficiency of devices and systems.

7.2     Off-grid and on-grid solar, wind, marine, hydro – small              and big

IEC work covers off-grid and on-grid use of good quality renewable solar, wind, marine, hydro energy generation, both small and big scale.

7.3     Foundation for testing, certification, comparison of energy               efficiency – enable broad roll-out and technology transfer

IEC International Standards contain the methodologies and processes that are used by the four IEC CA Systems: IECEE, IECEx, IECQ, IECRE to test and compare the efficiency, resilience, durability, reliability and safety of all types of energy related technologies and systems.

7.A Foundation for energy research and technology, including energy efficiency. Underpin energy infrastructure investment

IEC International Standards contain the methodologies, processes and specifications that enable energy efficient technologies and systems. They are used to compare, verify and certify energy efficiency claims of individual devices and systems. They reassure investors and insurers that systems are built to world’s best-practice and are often referred to in tenders of the World Bank.

7.B     Upgrade and expand energy infrastructure. Reduce cost                    and assure long-term viability

Many IEC International Standards from more than 160 TC/SCs serve to build or upgrade energy infrastructure. They stimulate natural competition which helps reduce cost and ensure consistent quality and long-term reliability.

Safety of workers and  economic growth

Inclusive and sustainable economic growth can drive progress and generate the means to implement the sustainable development goals. IEC International Standards include a high level of global expertise and are consensus built. This is essential for reducing barriers to global trade, a contribution which is also acknowledged by the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.

8.2     Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation

IEC International Standards together with testing and certification help increase economic productivity and simplify technological upgrading. They contain industry best-practice, measurements and ratings that simplify innovation and market access.

8.4     Improve globa resource efficiency in consumption and       production

IEC work stimulates resource efficiency in production, increases consistency of product quality and reliability, and provides guidelines for recycling and waste management.

8.8 Promote safe and secure working environments

Many workers are exposed to undue risks in their workplaces. Several hundred IEC International Standards promote safe working environments, protecting workers from electric shocks, hazardous substances, cuts, burns, and other injuries.

Resilient infrastructure and sustainable industrialization

Thousands of IEC International Standards support the development and implementation of sustainable quality infrastructure in all industries where electrical and electronic devices and systems can be found. They provide confidence to regulators, buyers and consumers that devices and systems are safe, can interoperate, and are built to industry-wide agreed levels of quality and reliability. IEC work also encourages innovation and technology transfer, helps reassure investors and insurers that global best practice has been applied, in design, manufacturing, installation, maintenance and repair, including in terms of sustainability.

9.1     Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder  infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and  equitable access for all

Many IEC International Standards from many IEC TC/SCs apply to the development of resilient infrastructure, including for example in power generation, water management, transportation or healthcare. They ensure the general safety and interoperability of devices and systems and provide businesses and consumers with access to a global market of products and suppliers.

9.4     Upgrade and retrofit clean and environmentally sound                technologies and industrial processes

Many IEC technical committees produce standards that allow for the upgrading and retrofitting of technologies in sectors such as energy generation and transmission, electric motors, railways, shipping, buildings, cities, manufacturing processes, lighting, and more.

9.5 Upgrade the technological capabilities of industry sectors

IEC work provides metrics, specifications, processes and methodologies that help upgrade technological capabilities of industry. They help determine safety, efficiency, resilience and performance levels. The members of the IEC CA Systems verify and certify that upgraded technologies meet international standards.

9.A Facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development

IEC systems committees on smart cities, smart manufacturing and smart energy coordinate the work of dozens of IEC TCs and outside stakeholders to ensure that infrastructure is both sustainable and resilient to environmental and manmade challenges. The use of IEC International Standards encourages innovation and together with testing and certification provides the tools to benchmark it with competitive solutions.

9.B Support domestic technology development and innovation

Through the adoption and use of IEC International Standards and participation in IEC CA Systems every one of the 173 countries in the IEC family has access to world best-practice and high-level expert consensus.

9.C Increase access to information and communications       technology

IEC work in standardization and conformity assessment forms the basis for the digitalization of industry and society. From sustainable and reliable energy access, to power network communication, industrial automation, the Internet of Things, wearable devices, information and communication technology in offices, administrations and academia, IEC work in standardization and conformity assessment is essential for information and communication technology hardware and software.

Equal access to global  expertise

IEC work addresses topics related to the To ensure their proper functioning, advanced countries put in place a national quality reduction of inequalitiesinfrastructure (NQI) that allows them to verify the quality, safety and sustainability of products and services. It generally includes metrology, standardization, testing and certification(conformity assessment). Many developing countries lack an NQI. This makes it more difficult Knowledge transferfor them to participate in trade and limits their ability to improve public health, safety and environmental protection.

Innovation The majority of IEC International Standards together with IEC CA Systems help reduce

Global tradeinequalities because they give developing countries access to global state-of-the-art know-how and expertise in many different technology areas. When adopted and used, Quality managementIEC International Standards help break down barriers to trade and level the playing field, allowing companies of all sizes to innovate and compete in the global market. Developing Risk managementcountries are able to participate without the financial burden of membership in the IEC Affiliate.

Country Programme. With this comes the free adoption of IEC International Standards for Energy accessnational use and participation in IEC CA Systems.

SafetyWhen it comes to individuals, IEC work facilitates equal access to education and information and allows people with disabilities to participate more easily in everyday life.

10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of   outcome

Reduce inequalities. Many developing countries lack a national quality infrastructure that allows them to verify the quality, safety and sustainability of products and services. This makes it more difficult for them

Disability to participate in trade and limits their ability to improve public health, safety, and environmental protection.

When adopted and used nationally, IEC International Standards provide developing countries with access to global state-of-the-art know-how and expertise in many different technology areas. Using IEC International Standards for testing and certification helps these countries to increase the safety and quality of devices and installations. IEC work helps break down barriers to trade and level the playing field, allowing companies of all sizes to innovate and compete in the global market.

10.6  Ensure enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in international organizations

Developing countries can participate without the financial burden of membership in the IEC Affiliate Country Programme, which also provides them with the opportunity to adopt up to 400 IEC International Standards for national use and get involved in the IEC CA Systems. Developing countries can comment on standards and make them more relevant for national use.

Sustainable urbanization

Safe food, clean water, sufficient energy, overall economic, social and environmental sustainability, as well as safety and security: these are the kinds of promises cities must fulfil to provide a decent quality of life to their citizens.

IEC work in standardization and conformity assessment underpins the large majority of the electrical and electronic infrastructure in cities and communities. This includes all forms of transportation, water and sanitation, electricity generation, healthcare, financial and administrative services, security and alarm systems, access control, CCTV, lighting, and more.

IEC International Standards, together with testing and certification also make infrastructure more resilient, helping to mitigate disaster risks and accelerating disaster recovery.

11.2 Safe, affordable, sustainable transport systems

IEC work provides international standards for trains, subway systems, sky trains, trolleybuses, pods, EVs, electric ferries and boats, the aviation industry, fuel cell driven vehicles, etc. It also supports the whole monitoring, control, service and safety infrastructure in train and metro stations, airports, bus stops, garages and at street level. IECEx provides important services that among other things ensure safety during fuelling at airports or sewage repair work.

11.3 and 11.6   Sustainable urbanization

Nearly 2 000 IEC International Standards from more than 100 IEC TCs directly impact safer, more sustainable urbanization: energy generation, intelligent mobility, healthcare, financial and administrative services, security and alarm systems, access control, smart buildings, aviation, transportation, more efficient farming and irrigation, etc.

11.5 and 11.B Increased disaster resilience

IEC International Standards together with testing and certification help ensure that infrastructure is more resilient in the face of disasters. The use of standards also facilitates disaster recovery, repairs and reconstruction.

Responsible consumption and production

Worldwide consumption of materials has expanded and in the longer term the economic model of extract, use and discard is unsustainable. On the one hand, the era of cheap and plentiful resources is coming to an end, on the other landfills are filling up rapidly. IEC work helps control the use of material to achieve environmentally conscious design and reduce the quantity of e-waste globally. It also helps manufacturers to comply with regulations on hazardous materials and better manage end-of-life residual waste.

12.2   Sustainable management and efficient use of natural                resources

IEC work provides the technical foundation for the design, production, installation, upgrading, refurbishment and repair of devices and systems.

12.3   Halve per capita food waste and reduce food losses                   along product and supply chains, including post-harvest

IEC work provides the foundation for domestic and industrial cooling systems. Food waste is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases. By strengthening the cold chain post-harvest and during production and in supply chains, food waste and greenhouse gas emissions can be significantly reduced.

12.4   Achieve environmentally sound management of               chemicals and waste throughout the life cycle and minimize impact on human health and the environment

IEC International Standards together with the IEC CA Systems can help control the use of hazardous substances in manufacturing and end-of-life disposal of electrical and electronic devices. IEC TC 111 addresses environmental standardization for products and systems. IECQ helps companies manage the design, production and life cycle of electronic components and assemblies in accordance with national and international hazardous substances requirements.

12.5   Reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction,            recycling and reuse

IEC International Standards are an important tool to control, measure and determine the durability and upgradability of a product and how easy it can be repaired or recycled.

12.6      Encourage to adopt sustainable practices

IEC International Standards form the basis for state-of-the-art regulations that incite companies to adopt sustainable manufacturing and recycling practices.

12.A      Support developing countries to strengthen their                     scientific and technological capacity to move towards                   more sustainable patterns of consumption and production

When developing countries use IEC International Standards and test and verify products before they enter national markets, they take the first step to strengthen their ability to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.

Strengthen resilience,  reduce disaster impact

The first IEC President, Lord Kelvin used to say: “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” The majority of IEC International Standards not only enable the measurement of the efficiency, performance and safety of systems, they also provide the technical basis for further improvement.

IEC International Standards, together with testing and certification, help countries to adopt more sustainable technologies. They also help strengthen the disaster resilience of infrastructure, reducing disaster risks and accelerating disaster recovery, limiting overall disaster impact. IEC work provides the globally relevant, solid technical foundation to make new, sustainable energy solutions broadly accessible.

A myriad of IEC International Standards are used in the building of infrastructure, including for example in power generation or water management. Several IEC TCs develop the standards that ensure that alarm systems are able to operate under extreme conditions, still others ensure the safety of workers during repair operations, for example live working on downed power lines or the installation of electricity generators.

13.1   Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to hazards             and natural disasters

A myriad of IEC International Standards from many IEC TCs apply to the development of infrastructure, including for example power generation or water management. IEC work helps strengthen the disaster resilience of infrastructure through built-in safety mechanisms, processes and minimum requirements. During disasters, certified alarm systems are able to operate even under extreme conditions.

13.3 Improve institutional capacity on climate change       mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction

Countries who implement IEC International Standards enjoy easier access to sustainable technologies and are better able to mitigate the impact of disasters.

Reduce marine pollution

14.1   Significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds,                         including from land-based activities, and nutrient              pollution

A move from combustion engines to electric motors in agriculture, industry and transportation can significantly reduce nutrient pollution. Electrification of shipping at sea and when anchored in harbours, during loading and unloading of goods can significantly contribute to reducing pollution in ports and the open sea. Ensuring the proper functioning and safety of all activities and devices on offshore platforms and during oil drilling through testing and certification can help avoid spills that can deeply affect marine life and coastal areas. Water treatment plants can significantly reduce marine pollution through raw sewage. IEC work applies to all these areas.

Coastal waters receive a variety of land-based pollutants, among them untreated sewage. This is a problem for the ecosystem and human health indirectly, through the consumption of fish and seafood as well as directly through skin contact. Among the three major sources of nutrient pollution are emissions from combustion. Ships burning heavy crude oil, as well as off-shore oil and gas operations can cause offshore marine pollution through ocean-based dumping. Often ship motors continue to run in ports to generate electricity for berthing, loading and unloading. Electrification can significantly reduce marine pollution.

Sustainable use of  terrestrial ecosystems

More efficient use of energy, a switch from combustion to electrification, reduction of e-waste, the treatment of sewage; pollution prevention and control of hazardous substances in manufacturing; all help protect and restore biodiversity and ecosystems and halt land degradations.

15.1   Ensure conservation, restoration and sustainable use of                terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and services

IEC work is foundational for water management from extraction to use and reuse. Supplying and treating water requires many electrical and electronic devices and systems.

Monitoring the use of hazardous chemicals in manufacturing and the treatment of wastewater are also underpinned by IEC International Standards.

15.5   Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

Sustainable use of resources, pollution prevention and environmental protection are central to many IEC International Standards. IEC work provides the foundation for energy efficiency and resulting greenhouse gas reductions, e-waste reduction and responsible management of hazardous substances, electrification of industrial processes and transportation, reuse of materials, eco-friendly design and control of life cycle impact.

Promote peaceful and  inclusive societies

Effective and inclusive societies as well as sustainable economic development rely on good governance and access to basic services such as a reliable electricity supply, public lighting, clean water, education, information, security and cyber security.

16.6 Effective, accountable and transparent institutions

IEC work helps increase efficiency and effectiveness of public services through modern computing hardware, information and communication technology, secure online services and databases, internet access and online education. IEC International Standards also provide developing countries with access to state-of-the-art know-how and expertise that can be imbedded in effective regulations.

16.8   Broaden and strengthen participation of developing                    countries in institutions of global governance

Developing countries can participate without the financial burden of membership in the IEC Affiliate Country Programme, which also provides them with the opportunity to adopt up to 400 IEC International Standards for national use and get involved in the IEC CA Systems. Developing countries can comment on standards and share their needs globally.

Better access to  technology and innovation

IEC International Standards are developed with the collaboration and consensus of a wide range of stakeholders from all around the world. They include representatives from industry, government, research institutes, laboratories, academia and consumers. The IEC global platform fosters multi-stakeholder partnerships at the international, regional and national levels to share knowledge and expertise, encourage technology transfer, and make the world a safer, more sustainable place for all.

The use of IEC International Standards and IEC CA Systems inherently facilitates participation in global trade, also for developing countries.

The IEC Affiliate Country Programme allows developing countries to build expertise in quality and risk management. It allows them to adopt and use IEC International Standards, and participate in IEC CA Systems.

An extensive number of IEC technical committees develop international standards which support access to technology and innovation, by improving sustainability, risk management, knowledge transfer, etc.

17.6   Enhance access to technology and innovation as well as              mentoring

Through the IEC Affiliate Country Programme, developing countries are able to benefit from IEC work without the financial burden of membership. The programme permits them to select up to 400 IEC International Standards for national adoption and use, and encourages active contribution to IEC standardization work.

17.7   Promote the development, transfer and dissemination of               environmentally sound technologies

IEC International Standards facilitate technology transfer and the dissemination of sustainable technologies.

17.8   Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular                 information and communications technology

The IEC provides the technical foundation for the hardware and software that underpins information and communication technology. This includes all forms of displays, computers, video and radio communication, mobile phones and security and communication protocols.