Gaining Access to Global Markets: February 6 Webinar to Demonstrate Importance of U.S. Participation in International Standards Setting

NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --From energy efficiency and renewable resources to electric vehicles and the smart grid, opportunities for U.S. innovation and economic growth are gaining ground in new and emerging industry sectors. But as competing efforts take hold around the globe to advance these high-priority technology areas, U.S. participation at the international table where technical, strategic, and policy decisions are made is increasingly vital.

The strategic importance of corporate participation in international standards and conformance activities will be the focus of a free webinar to be hosted on Monday, February 6, by the U.S. National Committee (USNC) of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

As the technical underpinning of many products and services, standards play a critical role in removing barriers to trade, enforcing free trade agreements, and expanding markets for U.S. goods and services. Companies that understand how to effectively influence and address standardization and compliance issues are better positioned to access global markets and capture international market share.

Speakers from leading U.S. companies will discuss how participation in the USNC has proven essential for global market access:

• Corning Incorporated (Jim Matthews, director of technical standards and standards policy)
• Eaton Corporation (Kevin Lippert, manager of codes and standards)
• GE Industrial Solutions (Philip Piqueira, global standards leader)
• Rockwell Automation (Alec McMillan, director of global standards and trade)

"Developing and developed economies around the globe are playing an increasingly significant role in IEC standardization activities, particularly in areas of emerging technology," said Philip Piqueira, USNC president. "Participation in international standardization helps U.S. businesses access new markets and supports the overall competitiveness of U.S. industry on the global stage. U.S. companies should not miss out the opportunity to directly influence the requirements and guidelines impacting their industry."

Registration details
Part of an ongoing series presented by the American National Standards Institute, the free webinar will be held on Monday, February 6, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. ET and will run approximately 45 minutes.

Engineers, standards managers, quality assurance and testing personnel, legal representatives, and others involved in areas of emerging technologies are encouraged to participate.  Register here.

About ANSI
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance U.S. global competitiveness and the American quality of life by promoting, facilitating, and safeguarding the integrity of the voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. Its membership is comprised of businesses, professional societies and trade associations, standards developers, government agencies, and consumer and labor organizations. The Institute represents the diverse interests of more than 125,000 companies and organizations and 3.5 million professionals worldwide.

The Institute is the official U.S. representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and, via the U.S. National Committee, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and is a U.S. representative to the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).

About the USNC/IEC
The U.S. National Committee of the International Electrotechnical Commission (USNC/IEC) serves as the focal point for U.S. parties who are interested in the development, promulgation, and use of globally-relevant standards for the electrotechnical industry. The Committee is also engaged in the assessment of conformance to standards, undertaking work in areas such as testing, certification, and accreditation.

As the U.S. representative to the IEC and many related regional standardization bodies, the USNC/IEC serves as a conduit to the global standards-setting community for technical and policy positions arising in the U.S. and brings issues from the global arena to the U.S. for review, consideration, and response. The USNC/IEC is a totally integrated committee of the American National Standards Institute.

SOURCE American National Standards Institute