IEC GUIDE 109:2012

IEC GUIDE 109 ®
Edition 3.0 2012-06
GUIDE
GUIDE
Environmental aspects – Inclusion in electrotechnical product standards

Aspects liés à l'environnement – Prise en compte dans les normes
électrotechniques de produits
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IEC GUIDE 109 ®
Edition 3.0 2012-06
GUIDE
GUIDE
Environmental aspects – Inclusion in electrotechnical product standards

Aspects liés à l'environnement – Prise en compte dans les normes

électrotechniques de produits
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX Q
ICS 13.020 ISBN 978-2-83220-141-1

– 2 – Guide 109  IEC:2012
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Product standards and the environment . 9
4.1 General . 9
4.2 Influence of provisions in product standards on the environment . 10
4.3 Environmental strategies . 12
5 Inputs and outputs to be considered in the development of product standards . 13
5.1 General . 13
5.2 Inputs . 14
5.3 Outputs . 14
Annex A Checklist for the consideration of environmental aspects in product standards. 15
Bibliography . 16

Figure 1 – Relationship between provisions in product standards and the
environmental aspects and impacts associated with the product during its life cycle . 11

Guide 109  IEC:2012 – 3 –
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS –
INCLUSION IN ELECTROTECHNICAL PRODUCT STANDARDS

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This third edition of IEC Guide 109 has been prepared, in accordance with ISO/IEC
Directives, Part 1, Annex A, by the IEC Advisory Committee on Environmental Aspects
(ACEA). This guide is a non-mandatory guide in accordance with SMB Decision 136/8.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition edition published in 2003.
The main changes with respect to the previous edition are as follows. This new edition:
− is aligned to the revised ISO Guide 64 as far as it is relevant for standard writers;
− emphasizes life cycle thinking as described in the horizontal standard IEC 62430;
− provides a more elaborated check list in the annex.

– 4 – Guide 109  IEC:2012
The text of this IEC Guide is based on the following documents:
Four month’s vote Report on voting
C/1715/DV C/1730/RV
Full information on the voting for the approval of this Guide can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

Guide 109  IEC:2012 – 5 –
INTRODUCTION
This Guide aims to give advice to standards writers on the way environment aspects should
be considered and taken into account as applicable during the development of standards.
Finding an appropriate solution for the product is the task of product designers; this solution
will be a trade-off along various dimensions (safety, environment, cost, technology, function
and so on). This Guide is intended for standards writers and not for product designers; it aims
at encouraging standards that preserve the natural environment while allowing designers to
reach the best practical compromise among the constraints.
1)
The need to reduce the adverse impacts on the natural environment based on a product’s
aspects during all stages of its life – from acquiring materials to manufacturing, distribution,
use, and end-of-life treatment (i.e. re-use, recycling) – is recognized in most countries around
the world. One achieves reduction of adverse environmental impacts by improving a product’s
environmental aspects. The choices made at the design stage largely determine what those
impacts will be during each stage of the life of that product. There are, however, considerable
obstacles that make the task of selecting the best environmental options very complex. For
example, selecting design options to improve environmental aspects can involve difficult
trade-offs, such as that a more energy efficient design causes the product to become less
recyclable.
Requirements for products may influence significantly the extent of environmental impacts.
Standards should promote flexibility in the selection of design options in order to improve
environmental aspects. Furthermore, standards must not prohibit innovation in any sense.
Standards writers should encourage the protection of the environment, for instance, by
specifying requirements that do not rule out the appropriate use of recycled material and the
re-use of components, subsystems and systems.
The continual introduction of new products and materials can make evaluation increasingly
complex, since additional data must be gathered to assess the life cycle impacts and aspects
of such new products and materials. Moreover, there is currently very little data available on
the environmental impacts of some materials. However, the data which exists can be used as
a basis for improvement of the products with respect to environmental aspects.
IEC 62430 specifies principles of life cycle thinking (LCT) with its essential steps as well as
2)
tools such as life cycle
various general environmentally conscious design (ECD)
assessment (LCA).
IEC 62430 gives all those involved information on how to integrate ECD principles into
product design and development. Standards writers are not expected to perform life cycle
assessment (LCA) but to facilitate ECD as far as possible.
Until more data are available, manufacturers can document more extensively the specific
design choices and the reasons behind them. Besides generating requirements for
environment-specific standardization, doing this expands the knowledge based on such
options and choices, and it may also assist recycling and disposal at the end of life of the
product (EOL).
In this context, it should be noted that a standards writer should also give careful
consideration to their environmental aspects when specifying test methods.
___________
1)
Although the term "product" has been used throughout this Guide, the concept also embraces processes and
services as appropriate.
2)
For the process of integrating environmental aspects into product design and development, various terms are
used such as Design For Environment (DFE), eco-design, Environmentally Conscious Design (ECD), etc. ECD
will be used in this document to represent the various terms.

– 6 – Guide 109  IEC:2012
Standards writers need comparative environmental data on materials and substances.
However, they should handle information derived from LCA studies with great care when
making choices needed for a standard. This may require consultation with advisory
committees on environmental aspects within national, regional and international standards
bodies.
IEC Environmental Policy
“IEC recognizes the growing importance of preserving the environment and the role
electrotechnical standardization has to play to foster sustainable development. Therefore it is
the responsibility of IEC staff and technical committees, members and experts, to contribute
actively to the evolving standards framework for the benefit of the environment. For this
purpose, the IEC cooperates with ISO and regional standards development organizations
such as CENELEC. With respect to product-related standards, IEC technical committees must
assess and continuously improve new and existing standards in view of reducing adverse
environmental impacts over the whole life cycle of products. The IEC will monitor and annually
report progress according to this policy.”
The IEC Environmental Policy has been approved by the IEC Council Board. IEC Guide 109
helps to fulfil this policy by illustrating how environmental aspects can be included in
electrotechnical product standards.

Guide 109  IEC:2012 – 7 –
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS –
INCLUSION IN ELECTROTECHNICAL PRODUCT STANDARDS

1 Scope
IEC Guide 109, which is intended for standards writers, gives guidance on how to consider
aspects relating to the impact on the environment of electrotechnical products when preparing
standards for such products.
Its purpose is:
a) to raise awareness that provisions in product standards can affect the environment in both
negative and positive ways;
b) to outline the relationship between product standards and the environment;
c) to help to find provisions in product standards that may lead to improved environmental
performance and to avoid such provisions that may lead to adverse environmental
impacts;
d) to emphasize that addressing environmental aspects during the development of product
standards is a complex process and requires balancing competing priorities; and
e) to recommend the use of life cycle thinking when addressing environmental aspects in the
context of product standardization.
This Guide exclusively addresses writers of technical product standards and specifications. It
is consistent as much as possible with ISO Guide 64.
Electrotechnical product- or sector-specific standardization documents that explicitly deal with
environmentally conscious product design should be based on IEC 62430.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition
of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
None.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
end of life
EOL
life cycle stage of a product starting when it is finally removed from its intended use-phase
[IEC 62075:2008, definition 3.4, modified]
3.2
energy recovery
production of useful energy through direct and controlled combustion of waste
NOTE Waste incinerators producing hot water, steam and/or electricity are a common form of energy recovery.

– 8 – Guide 109  IEC:2012
3.3
environment
surroundings in which a product or system exists, including air, water, land, natural resources,
flora, fauna, humans and their interrelation
3.4
environmental aspect
element of an organization's activities or products that can interact with the environment
NOTE A significant environmental aspect has or can have a significant environmental impact.
[ISO 14001:2004, definition 3.6, modified]
3.5
environmental impact
change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partly resulting from an
organization's environmental aspects
[ISO 14001:2004, definition 3.7]
3.6
hazardous substance
substance that has, according to defined classification criteria, the potential for adversely
impacting human health and/or the environment
NOTE The criteria for determining whether a substance is classified as hazardous are defined by law or
regulation.
3.7
input
material or energy which enters a product system at any stage, from raw material acquisition
to final disposal
3.8
life cycle
consecutive and interlinked stages of a product system, from raw material acquisition or
generation from natural resources to the final disposal
[ISO 14040:2006, definition 3.1]
3.9
life cycle assessment
LCA
compilation and evaluation of the inputs, outputs and the potential environmental impacts of a
product system throughout its life cycle
[ISO 14040:2006, definition 3.2]
3.10
life cycle thinking
LCT
consideration of all relevant environmental aspects during the entire life cycle of products
[IEC 62430:2009, definition 3.11]
3.11
output
material or energy which leaves a product system at any stage, from raw material acquisition
to final disposal
Guide 109  IEC:2012 – 9 –
3.12
pollution
all adverse effects on the environment caused by the release of organic or inorganic
materials, hazardous substances, radiation or noise
3.13
prevention of pollution
use of processes, practices, materials or products that avoid, reduce or control pollution,
which may include recycling, treatment, process changes, control mechanisms, efficient use
of materials and material substitution
NOTE The potential benefits of prevention of pollution include the reduction of environmental impacts, improved
efficiency and reduced costs.
[ISO 14001:2004, definition 3.18, modified]
3.14
product standard
standard that specifies requirements to be fulfilled by a product or group of products, to
establish its fitness for purpose
NOTE 1 A product standard may include, in addition to the fitness-for-purpose requirements, directly or by
reference, aspects such as terminology, sampling, testing, packaging and labelling and, sometimes, processing
requirements.
NOTE 2 A product standard can either be complete or not, according to whether it specifies all or only a part of
the necessary requirements. In this respect, one may differentiate between standards such as dimensional,
material and technical delivery standards.
[ISO/IEC Guide 2:2004, definition 5.4]
3.15
recyclability
ability of waste materials to be processed for the original purpose or other purposes,
excluding energy recovery
3.16
recycling
processing of waste materials for the original purpose or for other purposes, excluding energy
recovery
NOTE The term recycling is used synonymously with the term material recovery.
[ISO 15270:2008, definition 3.30, modified]
4 Product standards and the environment
4.1 General
Every product has environmental aspects that result in some impact on the environment.
These impacts may occur at any or all stages of the product's life cycle and can be local,
regional or global, or a combination of all three.
The basis of product-related environmental protection is life cycle thinking, i.e. the
consideration of all relevant environmental aspects of a product at all its life cycle stages. The
key elements of life cycle thinking are:
− identification and evaluation of the product´s relevant environmental aspects during its
entire life cycle;
− having an objective to minimize the overall adverse environmental impact of the product
by improving the product´s environmental aspects.

– 10 – Guide 109  IEC:2012
A product's environmental aspects are largely determined by the inputs that are used and the
outputs that are generated at all stages of the product's life cycle. Changing any single input
or output may affect other inputs and outputs.
Identifying a product's environmental impacts and aspects is complex, and agreement is
occasionally lacking on environmental cause-and-effect relationships. Attempts to address a
given environmental aspect may have consequences at any or all of the stages of a product's
life cycle.
When developing product standards, the affected environmental aspects and the resulting
environmental impacts stemming from requirements therein should be considered, with the
goal being to improve a product´s environmental aspects in an incremental way.
A product's environmental aspects will need to be balanced against other factors, such as
product function, performance, cost, marketability and quality; legal and regulatory as well as
safety requirements. Product standards should be written so that designers of equipment or
systems are able to fulfil the goals of these standards while also arriving at a balance that
contributes to protection of the environment.
4.2 Influence of provisions in product standards on the environment
Provisions in product standards are more or less related to the environmental aspects
associated with the product during its life cycle, as illustrated in Figure 1. As such, product
standards can significantly contribute to the continual improvement of environmental aspects
of products.
This subclause aims at giving standards writers background information on issues that should
be taken into account when considering to address environmental aspects in product
standards.
Guide 109  IEC:2012 – 11 –
IEC  1027/12
NOTE The inputs and outputs are examples of environmental aspects.
Figure 1 – Relationship between provisions in product standards and the environmental
aspects and impacts associated with the product during its life cycle

– 12 – Guide 109  IEC:2012
Provisions in product standards may both facilitate and hamper environmental improvement.
Unless necessary for important reasons (for example, health, safety or performance of the
product), standards should, whenever possible, avoid specifying materials to be used in
products. Instead the desired outcome should be specified. Specifying materials may preclude
innovation and the development of new ways of improving environmental aspects through the
use of alternative materials. For instance, provisions in product standards should not preclude
the appropriate use of secondary or recycled materials. If materials are to be specified,
consideration should be given as to how the use of the specified material will affect the
environment at all stages of the product’s life cycle. In general, provisions in product
standards that are too restrictive may have the unintended effect of stifling innovation and
environmental improvements.
The rate of innovation is high. Therefore, review of product standards should be considered
whenever the environmental aspects might be significantly improved by changes based on
new knowledge.
The intended use and reasonably foreseeable misuse of a product determine the
environmental impacts of a product to some extent. As such, both should be considered.
Generally, specification of performance requirements should take priority over specification of
design requirements, for example, focus on functionality rather than on prescribed design.
Opportunities to specify options that improve environmental aspects should be recognized
and taken, for example, specifying requirements that do not rule out the appropriate use of
recycled materials and encourage the re-use of parts and subassemblies.
When specifying requirements, such as descriptive requirements or performance
requirements, provisions in product standards affect the choices made during the design and
production of a new or upgraded product (see Figure 1). For example, during all stages of the
product's life cycle these choices can influence
a) inputs and outputs associated with manufacturing processes;
b) inputs and outputs associated with packaging, transportation, distribution and use;
c) options for re-use and recovery, including recycling or energy recovery of the product, as
well as its ease of disassembly, repair and restoration;
d) options for disposal of the product and associated waste.
The result these choices have on the environment will vary from product to product. All
products will not necessarily affect the environment equally at all stages of their life cycle.
Because a product's environmental aspects are usually interrelated, an arbitrary emphasis on
a single environmental aspect may adversely influence environmental aspects at other stages
of the product's life cycle or in other parts of the local, regional or global environment.
4.3 Environmental strategies
When preparing product standards, strategies and techniques for environmental improvement
may be represented by resource conservation, energy efficiency, prevention of pollution and
avoidance of waste. All of these strategies can be linked in large part to environmentally
conscious project design.
Standards writers are advised to consider the following issues.
− Resource conservation
Beside the environmental impacts associated with resource acquisition and use, resource
depletion can be of great significance. Resource depletion refers to the process of diminishing
stocks of natural resources. The objective of standards writers should be to create

Guide 109  IEC:2012 – 13 –
requirements that, as much as practical, facilitate the minimization of resource consumption
(for example carried out by reduction of volume and weight).
− Energy conservation
Among considerations associated with energy conservation are the environmental impacts of
various sources of energy, the conversion efficiency of a selected source and the efficient use
of energy. Substantial environmental trade-offs may exist between energy sources and,
especially for long-lived electrotechnical products, the energy efficiency during the use stage
is an important issue that deserves particular attention.
Energy management might be dealt with, for example, in the following cases:
• production of raw materials;
• manufacturing of components and parts from materials;
• assembling of components and parts to form a product;
• making the product function and perform in a safe and satisfactory way;
NOTE Options to automatically switch off the product or revert to "standby" when not in use should be
considered.
• packaging and transportation of components and products;
• disposal or recycling of components and products;
• energy efficiency of a product during use.
– Prevention of pollution
Human and industrial activities result in releases to air, land and/or water. There are several
generally accepted means of reducing these releases, including source reduction, material
substitution, in-process recycling, re-use, recycling, and treatments to reduce hazards and/or
volume.
There are various types of releases that may lead to environmental impacts for which there is
currently no international consensus on characterization and evaluation. Such concerns
include habitat alteration, impacts on biological diversity and other long-term impacts. When
addressing these issues, standards writers should consider sector-specific expertise.
− Avoidance of waste
During all stages of the product life cycle, waste is produced. By appropriate design and
process optimization, it may be possible to reduce or even completely avoid unnecessary use
of resources. In production, this may be achieved by use of recycled materials instead of
virgin ones, returnable packaging instead of one-way packaging, and the like.
5 Inputs and outputs to be considered in the development of product
standards
5.1 General
A product's environmental aspects and consequently impacts are largely determined by the
inputs that are used and the outputs that are generated at all stages of the product's life
cycle. When developing product standards, significant inputs and outputs related to the
product system under standardization should be identified and considered by standards
writers to ensure that the requirements they specify enable designers to develop products
with improved environmental aspects. Inputs and outputs are related to each other; changing
any single input, either to alter the materials or energy used, may affect other inputs and
outputs (see Figure 1).
In connection with this clause, reference is made to the checklist in Annex A.

– 14 – Guide 109  IEC:2012
5.2 Inputs
5.2.1 Inputs fall into two broad categories: materials and energy. Standards writers should
consider the topics below and ensure that the requirements they write enable designers to
develop products with minimal adverse environmental impacts when utilising an
environmentally conscious design approach.
5.2.2 Material inputs to the different stages of the product’s life cycle – from raw material
acquisition, manufacturing, transportation (including packaging and storage),
use/maintenance, re-use/recycling, to disposal of products – can produce a variety of
environmental impacts. These impacts can include depletion of renewable and non-renewable
resources, detrimental land use, and environmental or human exposure to hazardous
substances. Material inputs can also contribute to the generation of waste, emissions to air,
effluents to water, and other releases.
5.2.3 Energy inputs are required at most stages of a product's life cycle, both direct and
indirect. An example is energy used in material manufacturing. Energy sources include, for
example, fossil fuels, nuclear, recovered waste, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar and wind
energy. Each energy source results in its own set of environmental impacts.
5.3 Outputs
5.3.1 Outputs generated during a product's life cycle comprise the product itself,
intermediates and by-products, air emissions, water effluents, waste materials and other
releases. Standards writers should consider the topics below and ensure that the
requirements they write enable designers to develop products with minimal adverse
environmental impacts when utilising an environmentally conscious design approach.
5.3.2 Air emissions comprise releases of gases or vapours or particulate matter to the air.
Releases of toxic, corrosive, flammable, explosive, acidic, or odorous substances may
adversely affect flora, fauna, human beings, buildings, etc., or contribute to other
environmental impacts such as depletion of stratospheric ozone or formation of smog. Air
emissions include releases from point as well as diffuse sources, treated as well as untreated
releases, and releases from normal operation as well as accidental releases.
5.3.3 Emission to water, effluents, comprise the discharge of substances to a water course,
either surface or ground water. The discharge of nutrients or toxic, corrosive, radioactive,
persistent, accumulating or oxygen-depleting substances may give rise to adverse
environmental impacts including various pollution effects on aquatic ecosystems and
undesirable eutrophication of natural waters. Water effluents include discharges from point as
well as diffuse sources, treated as well as untreated discharges, and discharges from normal
operation as well as accidental discharges.
5.3.4 Waste materials comprise solid or liquid materials or products which are disposed of.
Waste materials may be produced at all stages of a product's life cycle. Waste materials are
subject to recycling, treatment, recovery or disposal techniques associated with further inputs
and outputs, which may contribute to adverse environmental impacts.
5.3.5 Other releases may include emissions to soil, noise and vibration, radiation and waste
heat.
Guide 109  IEC:2012 – 15 –
Annex A
Checklist for the consideration of environmental
aspects in product standards
As far as possible provisions in product standards should support or at least not hamper the
environmental objectives that are specified in the following check list. Standardization
committees should examine which objectives are relevant for their work and how provisions in
standards in the development or revision stage can contribute to the environmental
compatibility of the product or product group.
− Resource conservation
• Minimal material content in the product
• Minimal material content in the packaging
• Minimal number of different materials
• Maximum separability of different materials
• Maximum recyclability of used materials
• Reusability of product parts and components
• Reusability and upgradability of the product as a whole
• Possibility of using recycled materials
• Possibility of using refurbished product parts and components
• Minimal size of product
• Minimal mass of product
− Energy conservation
• Minimal energy consumption during the product´s operation
• Power management, e.g. automatic change to standby mode
− Pollution prevention
• Avoidance of hazardous substances
• Avoidance of substance emissions into the environment (air, water, soil)
• Avoidance of other releases, e.g. radiation, noise, dust
− Avoidance of waste
• Modularity allowing multiple use of components (e.g. common chargers for different
applications)
– 16 – Guide 109  IEC:2012
Bibliography
IEC 62075:2008, Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment –
Environmentally conscious design
IEC 62430:2009, Environmentally conscious design for electrical and electronic products
ISO/IEC Guide 2:2004, Standardization and related activities – General vocabulary
ISO Guide 64:2008, Guide for addressing environmental issues in product standards
ISO 14001:2004, Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
ISO 14040:2006, Environmental management – Life cycle assessment – Principles and
framework
ISO 15270:2008, Plastics – Guidelines for the recovery and recycling of plastics waste

_____________
– 18 – Guide 109  CEI:2012
SOMMAIRE
INTRODUCTION . 21
1 Domaine d’application . 23
2 Références normatives . 23
3 Termes et définitions . 23
4 Normes de produits et environnement . 25
4.1 Généralités. 25
4.2 Influence des dispositions dans les normes de produits sur l’environnement . 26
4.3 Stratégies environnementales . 28
5 Eléments entrants et éléments sortants à prendre en compte dans l’élaboration
des normes de produits . 30
5.1 Généralités. 30
5.2 Eléments entrants . 30
5.3 Eléments sortants . 30
Annexe A Liste de contrôle pour la prise en compte des aspects environnementaux
dans les normes de produits . 32
Bibliographie . 33

Figure 1 – Relation entre les dispositions dans les normes de produits et les aspects
et impacts environnementaux associés au produit au cours de son cycle de vie . 27

Guide 109  CEI:2012 – 19 –
ASPECTS LIÉS À L'ENVIRONNEMENT –
PRISE EN COMPTE DANS LES NORMES ÉLECTROTECHNIQUES
DE PRODUITS
AVANT-PROPOS
1) La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (CEI) est une organisation mondiale de normalisation
composée de l'ensemble des comités électrotechniques nationaux (Comités nationaux de la CEI). La CEI a
pour objet de favoriser la coopération internationale pour toutes les questions de normalisation dans les
domaines de l'électricité et de l'électronique. A cet effet, la CEI – entre autres activités – publie des Normes
internationales, des Spécifications techniques, des Rapports techniques, des Spécifications accessibles au
public (PAS) et des Guides (ci-après dénommés "Publication(s) de la CEI"). Leur élaboration est confiée à des
comités d'études, aux travaux desquels tout Comité national intéressé par le sujet traité peut participer. Les
organisations internationales, gouvernementales et non gouvernementales, en liaison avec la CEI, participent
également aux travaux. La CEI collabore étroitement avec l'Organisation Internationale de Normalisation (ISO),
selon des conditions fixées par accord entre les deux organisations.
2) Les décisions ou accords officiels de la CEI concernant les questions techniques représentent, dans la mesure
du possible, un accord international sur les sujets étudiés, étant donné que les Comités nationaux de la CEI
intéressés sont représentés dans chaque comité d’études.
3) Les Publications de la CEI se présentent sous la forme de recommandations internationales et sont agréées
comme telles par les Comités nationaux de la CEI. Tous les efforts raisonnables sont entrepris afin que la CEI
s'assure de l'exactitude du contenu technique de ses publications; la CEI ne peut pas être tenue responsable
de l'éventuelle mauvaise utilisation ou interprétation qui en est faite par un quelconque utilisateur final.
4) Dans le but d'encourager l'uniformité internationale, les Comités nationaux de la CEI s'engagent, dans toute la
mesure possible, à appliquer de façon transparente les Publications de la CEI dans leurs publications
nationales et régionales. Toutes divergences entre toutes Publications de la CEI et toutes publications
nationales ou régionales correspondantes doivent être indiquées en termes clairs dans ces dernières.
5) La CEI elle-même ne fournit aucune attestation de conformité. Des organismes de certification indépendants
fournissent des services d'évaluation de conformité et, dans certains secteurs, accèdent aux marques de
conformité de la CEI. La CEI n'est responsable d'aucun des services effectués par les organismes de
certification indépendants.
6) Tous les utilisateurs doivent s'assurer qu'ils sont en possession de la dernière édition de cette publication.
7) Aucune responsabilité ne doit être imputée à la CEI, à ses administrateurs, employés, auxiliaires ou
mandataires, y compris ses experts particuliers et les membres de ses comités d'études et des Comités
nationaux de la CEI, pour tout préjudice causé en cas de dommages corporels et matériels, ou de tout autre
dommage de quelque nature que ce soit, directe ou indirecte, ou pour supporter les coûts (y compris les frais
de justice) et les dépenses découlant de la publication ou de l'utilisation de cette Publication de la CEI ou de
toute autre Publication de la CEI, ou au crédit qui lui est accordé.
8) L'attention est attirée sur les références normatives citées dans cette publication. L'utilisation de publications
référencées est obligatoire pour une application correcte de la présente publication.
9) L’attention est attirée sur le fait que certains des éléments de la présente Publication de la CEI peuvent faire
l’objet de droits de brevet. La CEI ne saurait être tenue pour responsable de ne pas avoir identifié de tels droits
de brevets et de ne pas avoir signalé leur existence.
Cette troisième édition du Guide 109 de la CEI a été établie, conformément à l’Annexe A de
la Partie 1 des directives ISO/CEI, par le Comité consultatif de la CEI sur les aspects liés à
l’environnement (ACEA). Le présent guide n’est pas un guid
...