|
|
||
Latest news on the IECEx Scheme
In the 25 February 2000 issue of the American National Standards Institute Standards Action, the U.S. National Committee of the IECEE (USNC/IECEE) submitted for public comment, a proposal for U.S. participation in the IECEx Scheme. This submission for public comment by the USNC/IECEE was in response to a request from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). Read on for further details on this USNC solicitation. The public comments received by ANSI, and the prospect of joining the IECEx Scheme, were subsequently discussed at the USNC/IECEE meeting hosted by NEMA in April 2000. Based on the overwhelming support received, it was decided to pursue the IECEx Scheme for the United States. A Working Group was formed to explore the issue and develop a recommendation to the IECEE on how best for the U.S. to participate in this Scheme. Learn more about the basic details regarding what is involved in submitting for participation in the Scheme. With NEMA serving as Secretary, the members of this Working Group then selected Mr. Kerry McManama of Underwriters Laboratories to be Chairman. Other members of this Working Group include representatives from industry, other test houses, and trade organizations, along with representatives from U.S. governmental regulatory agencies, such as OSHA and MSHA. This Working Group was represented at the general meeting of the IECEx Scheme Management Committee (ExMC) in September 2000 in Braunschweig, Germany. The USNC/IECEE Ex Scheme Working Group had been invited to send a formal U.S. delegation. The USNC WG Chairman and one other WG member attended. Subsequent to this September 2000 meeting of the IECEx Scheme in Germany, and based on satisfactorily achieving resolution on a number of issues raised by U.S. interests, the USNC/IECEE Ex Scheme Working Group was restructured as a regular standing committee under the USNC/IEC Executive Committee (now reformed as the USNC/IEC Council). This new standing committee, the USNC/IECEx, will function to govern the operation of the Scheme within the U.S. Its first task was to approve the official Scheme application and submit it to the IECEx Scheme Secretary in February 2001. This U.S. application is currently being balloted for approval by the member bodies of the IECEx Scheme, with a due date of mid April, 2001. In addition to applying for U.S. membership in the IECEx Scheme, the USNC/IECEx has formalized their membership roster, approved their Operating Procedures, elected their officers, established a budget for 2001, and are assisting in the process of arranging Test Laboratory assessments (per the IECEx Scheme rules and procedures). While all segments of U.S. industry have not agreed with all aspects of the Scheme, the U.S. can not effectively ensure that U.S. interests or practices will be addressed by sitting on the sideline. Continued absence of the U.S. as a formal, active participating country from these international meetings would have seriously impacted the U.S. industry’s future access to the global hazardous locations marketplace, and U.S. test houses’ ability to provide the necessary conformity assessment services. Read more about further details on the specific concerns that have been expressed by certain segments of U.S. industry, along with answers to each concern. By becoming a formal participating country, the U.S. can be assured that its interests are served. The next IECEx Scheme meeting is scheduled for the week of 8 October 2001 in Geneva, Switzerland. Access the IECEx Scheme web site. If you have any further questions or desire more detailed information on issues relating to the IECEx Scheme, please contact hazloc@ul.com.
|
Home About UL HazLoc What Are Hazardous Locations? Global Vision Certification Services Training and Education European System North American System Technical Summary Certification Documents Equipment Directory Trade Shows & Industry Conferences Contact Us Print this Page E-mail this Page |
|
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is the administrator and coordinator of private sector voluntary standards development. This Institute is a private, nonprofit organization supported by a diverse membership of private and public organizations. ANSI-accredited standards developers are committed to the development of American National Standards through an open, consensus, process. ANSI is the sole U.S. representative and dues paying member, via the U.S. National Committee (USNC), to the IEC. The USNC is responsible for U.S. representation in the IEC Technical Committees, and other electrotechnical bodies associated with the IEC, such as the conformity assessment Scheme committees IECEE (CB Scheme) and IECEx.