U.S. to Host Largest-Ever Meeting of International Electrotechnology Experts

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States National Committee (USNC) of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is pleased to announce that the 2010 IEC General Meeting will take place on October 6-15 in Seattle.

The 2010 General Meeting, the largest in IEC history, will bring together over 2,800 delegates from across the globe. More than 80 countries will be represented at the events, which include gatherings for 100 Technical Committees (TCs) and subcommittees (SCs). All told, over 400 meetings for these TCs, SCs, working groups, and more will be held over the course of the ten days. Attendees will participate in technical and policy discussions that will influence the electrotechnical community and its activities in international standardization.

During the October 11 opening ceremony, attendees will hear from key speakers including IEC president Jacques Regis, USNC president Jim Matthews III, and representatives from our Diamond Level sponsors, including the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and Corning Incorporated. Siemens will be represented as a Diamond Level sponsor as well. An introductory video and live Native American dancers will also be featured in the ceremony.

By hosting the 2010 IEC General Meeting, the USNC is reaffirming U.S. commitment to international standardization, and creating opportunities for U.S. industry to participate in standards activities that promote global market access. This international gathering will also serve to raise awareness of IEC international standards to U.S. industry, and foster international cooperation in electrotechnical standards activities.

"From the festivities at the opening ceremony to the technical discussions that will take place throughout the course of the events, the General Meeting will be an exciting and dynamic gathering for everyone in the electrotechnology industry," said Mr. Matthews. "We invite all attendees to enjoy the meetings, interact with our IEC colleagues, and while you are here, go see a little bit of the Seattle area, home to several of our nation's most prominent technology companies."

Later in the week, the IEC will present its prestigious Lord Kelvin Awards in an October 13 dinner for presidents, chairmen, and secretariats of IEC member bodies. This distinct honor is given annually to members of the IEC community for their outstanding contributions to global electrotechnical standardization. This year's recipients include American Jerome E. Dennis, who recently retired after 33 years at the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as Bernard Dumortier of France and Gosta Fredriksson of Sweden.

Two additional highly anticipated events at the General Meeting are the IEC Council Open Session on alternative energy resources, to be held on October 15, and the closing ceremony, which will feature the donation of all laptops, copiers, and power cords used during the General Meeting to the Northwest Autism Foundation.

For more information on the 2010 IEC General Meeting, visit www.iec2010.org. Events are open to the media; to gain press access to the world's foremost electrotechnical experts during this exciting series of events, contact Liz Neiman ([email protected]; 212.642.4911).

About the USNC

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 United States' 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 (ANSI). The Institute provides administrative support to the USNC and its nearly 1,400 U.S. managerial, engineering, scientific, and professional participants.

About the IEC

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the world's leading organization that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic, and related technologies – collectively known as electrotechnology. With full and associate member bodies representing 81 countries around the world, the IEC promotes international cooperation on all questions of electrotechnical standardization and related matters.

Some of the many technologies embraced by the IEC include electronics; magnetics and electromagnetics; electroacoustics; multimedia; telecommunication; and energy production and distribution.

The IEC also manages conformity assessment systems that certify that equipment, systems, or components conform to its International Standards.

SOURCE American National Standards Institute