Jacques Régis began his three-year
term as IEC President on 1 January 2008

While the IEC finished 2008 in a very strong financial and operational position, the global financial crisis was on all members’ minds at the General Meeting in São Paulo. The IEC Management decided to take two important steps to combat the economic downturn; the first was a mechanism approved by Council which will give members the possibility of deferring part of their 2009 dues against a commitment to pay over the next five years; the second was the establishment of a specialized group to monitor market trends more closely and to report back to the IEC management and members with recommended actions.

We never look forward to working through difficult times, but I would like to assure the IEC National Committees, the Technical Committees and Subcommittees, and the Conformity Assessment community, of the Commission’s readiness to take decisive action to respond to the market’s needs. We are committed to producing the most market-relevant International Standards and to operate the most global conformity assessment systems that support international trade by opening up new markets, working for improved electrical safety and minimizing the impact on the environment. We must continue to do all of the above while working for sustainable development that can bring the developing world the benefits of using the latest technology and practices, and the developed world the solid framework for innovation.

2008 saw a number of important initiatives beginning to bear fruit. The first was the work of the Standardization Management Board’s Strategy Group 1 on electrical energy efficiency which has resulted in 11 recommendations where the IEC work can contribute significantly to energy savings, increased efficiency or new energy sources. The second was the first meeting of the newly established Market Strategy Board. I am convinced that the industry leaders in this group will be able to ensure that the IEC remains visionary and fully able to meet market needs today and in the years ahead.

2009 will be a critical year, as the upcoming General Meeting will help shape the Commission’s strategic direction for years ahead. I know that I can count on the strength of the IEC Family to ensure the IEC’s market-driven, forward-thinking approach to electrotechnical standardization and conformity assessment continues to deliver the desired results for industry, government and end-users alike.

Jacques Régis
IEC President