Electric power is taken for granted, by all of us. We use it and yet we rarely think about it. Behind the scenes but in a very real way, electricity is the enabler of our modern lives. It is the life-blood of our economies... Without electricity there is no economic development, no global trade, no industrial activity. The IECs core business is electricity and electronics. We develop the many, many technical rules that allow electric and electronic devices to work safely together everywhere in the world. Our work covers the whole energy chain. We have and continue to develop the majority of the behind the scene technical rules that make energy generation safe and efficient. The IEC helps keep the lights on.

Billions of devices and systems depend on IEC work. From tiny components that drive sensors or computers to everyday household equipment, entertainment systems and every other electrical or electronic device you can think of. We also develop the protocols for cloud computing, e-readers or cyber security and define the safety of lasers for commercial or medical use. We not only help make electronics safe and efficient, we also ensure that safety systems that depend on electronics perform as they should. IEC works behind the scenes so that you can be safe, have fun and stay connected.

Most of you have a mobile phone and many other gadgets that require electric power, even in the form of batteries. From the moment you get up and turn the alarm clock of and your lights on, shave, blow dry your hair or make coffee; on your way to work, in your office, when you visit the doctor…you use electricity in one form or another all the time. The IEC helps keep the lights...and your devices on.

From the electrical energy that comes into our homes, schools, offices and shopping centres to public transport systems, public utilities that bring us water, electricity, and remove household waste – the work of the IEC underpins just about every aspect of modern city life. It is there in the public lighting of sports stadiums and auditoriums, airport safety measures, lifesaving medical equipment and in the communications and IT technology that ensure that city railway and bus services work as they should.

Modern manufacturing relies on a constant and reliable supply of sustainable energy. Electricity drives everything from electric motors, wiring, cabling, sensors and information technology. From machinery, industrial automation, processes such as heating, welding and cooling, ventilation, control systems and distribution…IEC work underlies everything.

Electricity is dangerous. The fact that we use it every day, everywhere doesn’t change that fact. Today many systems that were mechanical to start with are now electrified and contain electronics that's why they require our expertise. The car is just one of them. All electronics and electrical systems in a car taken together represent today close to 50% of the cost of a car. Many of the components that go into modern cars are built based on IEC work. Electric cars also depend on IEC work: We have standardized all parts of the charging infrastructure for EVs. The broad roll-out of EVs requires extensive cooperation between the car manufacturers, utilities, equipment suppliers and regulators. The IEC provides a platform for this cooperation.

Our work covers Smart Grids, designed to help lower costs and optimize energy use. We address the need to maintain grid stability while integrating a growing body of energy that comes from decentralized generation. Electrical Energy Storage is increasingly important – to achieve a better Grid balance, the integration of renewable energy sources and electric vehicle charging.