Accelerating sustainable, carbon neutral development
IEC, Jeju Governor and KATS sign Memorandum of Understanding
Geneva, Switzerland/Jeju, Republic of Korea, 2016-03-21– The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the aim to accelerate sustainable, carbon neutral development.
The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province aims to leadglobal low carbon green growth. By 2030, the island is planningto put in place a carbon-free infrastructure comprising a Smart Grid, broad electric vehicle (EV) network, renewable energy generation and more. As part of this engagement Jeju will – whenever applicable –give preference to IEC International Standards for its infrastructure development and participate in IEC standardization activities via the Korean IEC National Committee(KATS). In return, the three entities will share information and needs that will help close gaps and improve IEC International Standards.
One of the reasons for this agreement is to avoid proprietary industry specifications, for example, for electric vehicles. Those tend tomake charging infrastructure development more costly and more complex than necessary.
Says Jeju Governor Mr Won Hee-ryong: “Some car manufacturers develop their own EV charging technologies rather than using existing IEC International Standards. This creates a dilemma in terms of infrastructure development: which plugs should we give preference when it is impossible to install all? This is also a source of conflict in neighbourhoods where some car owners may have trouble finding a charging station that fits their needs.”
The IEC General Secretary and CEO FransVreeswijkexplains: “Proprietary Standards reduce interoperability and cross-manufacturer solutions. In terms of infrastructure development they can increase cost if every technical solution were to be taken into consideration. By building infrastructure and regulations that are based on IEC International Standards, governments such as Jeju are able to better satisfy the needs of citizens while reducing costs.”
Mr Jeh Dae-shik, Administrator of the KATS adds: “The KATS is responsible for building Korean national infrastructure. In this context the KATS actively participates in international standardization activities with the aim to harmonize Korean Standards with IEC and ISO International Standards. We are happy that this MoU will further expand the adoption and use of IEC International Standards whenever possible.”
As part of this MoU, the three partners plan to regularly exchange information on standardization and conformity assessment for EVs, Smart Grid, Smart Cities, microgrids, renewable energy generation and all other relevant IEC standardization and conformity assessment work.
Further information
Gabriela Ehrlich
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About the IEC
The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is the world’s leading organization that prepares and publishes globally relevant International Standards for all electric and electronic devices and systems. It brings together 167 countries, representing 98% of the world population and 96% of world energy generation. Close to 20000 experts cooperate on the global IEC platform and many more in each member country. They ensure that products work everywhere safely and efficiently with each other. The IEC also supports all forms of conformity assessment and administers four Conformity Assessment Systems that certify that components, equipment and systems used in homes, offices, healthcare facilities, public spaces, transportation, manufacturing, explosive environments and during energy generation conform to them.
IEC work covers a vast range of technologies: power generation (including all renewable energy sources), transmission, distribution, Smart Grid & Smart Cities, batteries, home appliances, office and medical equipment, all public and private transportation, semiconductors, fibre optics, nanotechnology, multimedia, information technology, and more. It also addresses safety, EMC, performance and the environment.
About KATS
The KATS, the governmental organization of the Republic of Korea which establishes, amends and manages Korean Standards (KS) to support industrial development and public benefit, is responsible for building the national infrastructure for standardization and conformity assessment based on a series of acts of the Republic of Korea. KATS hosts the National Committee of the IEC. It is also the member body of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). KATS is actively participating in international standardization activities with an aim to harmonize KS with International Standards. The KATS is also the inquiry point of WTO/TBT and FTA/TBT.