What is the difference between IEC and ISO

IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) and ISO (International Organization for Standardization) are two important international standardization organizations that play a crucial role in various industries. While they may seem similar in their goals, there are several key differences between IEC and ISO that set them apart.

Scope and Focus

One major difference between IEC and ISO lies in their scope and focus areas. IEC primarily focuses on standards related to electrical and electronic technologies. It develops and publishes standards for electrical equipment, systems, and components used in power generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization. On the other hand, ISO covers a wider range of industries and sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, agriculture, and many more. ISO's standards are more generic and applicable across different fields.

Membership and Structure

Another difference between IEC and ISO can be found in their membership structure. IEC is an organization composed of hundreds of national committees, each representing a specific country or region. These committees actively participate in developing and revising IEC standards. In contrast, ISO is a federation of national standards bodies, with each member being the sole representative of its respective country. Both organizations follow a consensus-based approach in developing standards, but the way they organize their members differs.

Standards Development Process

The process of developing standards also varies between IEC and ISO. IEC follows a three-step process: proposal, preparation, and approval. Technical experts from the participating committees collaborate to draft and review the proposed standards. The approved drafts are then circulated among the member countries for voting. Once the standard receives sufficient support, it is published. ISO, on the other hand, follows a six-step process: proposal, preparatory, committee, enquiry, approval, and publication. This more extensive process includes additional stages for public comments and translations.

In conclusion, while both IEC and ISO are international standardization organizations, they have distinct differences in terms of scope, membership, and standards development processes. Understanding these differences is essential for industries and professionals seeking to comply with the applicable standards and ensure the safety, efficiency, and compatibility of their products and services.