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Understanding standards
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iec-full-width"> <div class="container"> <ol class="breadcrumb iec-breadcrumb"> <li > <a href="/">Home</a> </li> <li > <a href="/standards-development">Standards development</a> </li> <li class="breadcrumb-text"> <span>Understanding standards</span> </li> <li class="active" class="breadcrumb-text"> <span>Understanding standards </span> </li> </ol> </div> </div> </div> </div> <section class="col-sm-12"> <div class="highlighted"> <div class="region region-highlighted"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> </div> </div> <a id="main-content"></a> <div class="region region-content"> <article about="/understanding-standards" class="page full clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockmodule-overview-header clearfix iec-overview-block iec-full-width with-margin" style="background-image:url(/system/files/styles/original_image/private/2020-03/standardsdevelopment-header.jpg?itok=7xrcEnYC);"> <div class="iec-overview-block-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="iec-overview-block-text"> <h1 class="text-block-title field--name-field-title condensed">Understanding standards</h1> <div class="field field--name-field-description field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field--item">A standard is an agreed way of doing something in a consistent and repeatable way. Standards set minimum requirements in terms of safety, reliability, efficiency and trust</div> <a class="iec-read-more hvr-icon-forward" href='/publications'> Our publications <i class="ion ion-ios-arrow-round-forward hvr-icon"></i> </a> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="dynamic-layouts-container custom-12" > <div class="dynamic-layout-row iec-row "> <div data-region="r5c1c5969093f7c5c1c5969093fa" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-12 iec-col "> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dynamic-layouts-container custom-12" > <div class="dynamic-layout-row iec-row "> <div data-region="r5c1c5a740a6d1c5c1c5a740a6d4" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-8 iec-col "> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-layout-builder block-inline-blockmodule-single-element-text clearfix single-element-text without-margin" id="single-element-text-1818"> <div class="text-block-header" style="text-align:left;"> <h2 class="text-block-title condensed" style="font-size:35px;" id="article-header-id-1818-what-is-an-international-standard"> What is an international standard? </h1> </div> <div class="text-block-content" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>IEC International Standards reflect the global consensus and distilled wisdom of many thousand technical experts who are delegated by their countries to participate in the IEC.</p> <p>They provide instructions, guidelines, rules or definitions that are then used to design, manufacture, install, test & certify, maintain and repair electrical and electronic devices and systems.</p> <p>IEC International Standards are essential for quality and risk management; they help researchers understand the value of innovation and allow manufacturers to produce products of consistent quality and performance. IEC International Standards are always used by technical experts; they are always voluntary and based on the international consensus of experts from many countries.</p> <p>International standards also form the basis for <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="199df2f9-9e3d-41ae-9564-0c0bd03b035d" href="/conformity-assessment/what-conformity-assessment">testing and certification. </a></p> <p>International standards are also often adopted by countries or regions to become national or regional standards. For example, close to 80% of European electrical and electronic standards are in fact IEC International Standards.</p> <p>On the other side, regulations are rules or directives that are made and maintained by a national or regional authority. Generally, compliance with regulations is a must.</p> <p>However, it is quite common for technical regulations to refer to international standards because standards help avoid that the law becomes too detailed or descriptive. This approach allows laws to stay current because standards are regularly reviewed and updated.</p> <p> </p> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div data-region="r5c1c5a740a6d1c5c1c5a7c20239" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-4 iec-col "> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-layout-builder block-inline-blockmodule-single-element-text clearfix single-element-text" id="single-element-text-6265"> <div class="text-block-content" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/mnet/value-added-products#cmv"><img align="center" alt="CMV gif" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="24d507a3-671e-4f22-ba42-e4e904a44cc5" src="/system/files/inline-images/300x600_animated.gif" width="220" height="600"></a></p> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dynamic-layouts-container custom-12" > <div class="dynamic-layout-row iec-row "> <div data-region="r5c1c5a44a18d4c5c1c5a44a18d6" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-4 iec-col "> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-layout-builder block-inline-blockmodule-single-element-text clearfix single-element-text" id="single-element-text-3398"> <div class="text-block-content" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><h3>Standardization Management Board</h3> <p>The <a href="/dyn/www/f?p=103:47:0::::FSP_ORG_ID,FSP_LANG_ID:3228,25" target="_blank">SMB</a> (Standardization Management Board) is responsible for the management and supervision of IEC standardization work. The SMB is a decision-making body which reports to the IEC Board (IB).</p> </div> </div> <div class="text-link-container" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="item-link iec-read-more"> <a href="/smb-communique" class="hvr-icon-forward"> Read the SMB Communiqué <i class="ion ion-ios-arrow-round-forward hvr-icon"></i></a> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div data-region="r5c1c5a44a18d4c5c1c5a48dc5cd" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-8 iec-col "> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-layout-builder block-inline-blockmodule-single-element-text clearfix single-element-text" id="single-element-text-6266"> <div class="text-block-content" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><h3>Development process</h3> <p>The IEC has a clear, well-established and strictly controlled standards development process. It governs the development and publication of IEC International Standards and other types of publications and includes enough time for comments by all stakeholders at different stages of development.</p> <p>IEC National Committees (IEC Members), are involved at every stage of the process.</p> <p>IEC publications are developed in over 200 technical committees and subcommittees (TC/SCs) and hundreds of working groups, each responsible for a specific technology area.</p> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dynamic-layouts-container custom-12" > <div class="iec-full-width iec-bg-grey"> <div class="container"> <div class="dynamic-layout-row iec-row iec-fixed-row-bg "> <div data-region="r5c627bcf91f79c5c627bcf91f7d" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-12 iec-col "> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-block-module-white-gray-space clearfix"> <div class="module-white-gray-space-content iec-bg-color iec-bg-grey"> </div> </section> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-layout-builder block-inline-blockmodule-single-element-text clearfix single-element-text" id="single-element-text-2086"> <div class="text-block-header" style="text-align:left;"> <h2 class="text-block-title condensed" style="font-size:24px;" id="article-header-id-2086-standards"> Standards: </h1> <h2 class="text-block-subtitle condensed" id="article-header-id-2086-help-ensure-the-safety-and-efficiency-of-devices-systems-or-services-for-people-and-the-environment"> Help ensure the safety and efficiency of devices, systems or services for people and the environment </h2> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dynamic-layouts-container custom-12" > <div class="iec-full-width iec-bg-grey"> <div class="container"> <div class="dynamic-layout-row iec-row iec-fixed-row-bg "> <div data-region="r5c6299aabbc06c5c6299aabbc0a" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-3 iec-col "> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-layout-builder block-inline-blockmodule-single-element-text clearfix single-element-text" id="single-element-text-3388"> <div class="text-block-content" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p class="text-align-center"><img alt="network" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e4f98052-7aee-4acf-9817-3535c4bcccc5" src="/system/files/inline-images/network.png" width="70px" height="512"></p> <p class="text-align-center">Allow products to work and connect with others</p> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div data-region="r5c6299aabbc06c5c6299ca2a100" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-3 iec-col "> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-layout-builder block-inline-blockmodule-single-element-text clearfix single-element-text" id="single-element-text-3389"> <div class="text-block-content" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p class="text-align-center"><img alt="testing" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f69c3a5c-41a1-4119-acc5-0482dcc577b1" src="/system/files/inline-images/testing.png" width="70px" height="512"></p> <p class="text-align-center">Are used in <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="199df2f9-9e3d-41ae-9564-0c0bd03b035d" href="/conformity-assessment/what-conformity-assessment" rev="en_rl_none" tabindex="-1" textcontent="testing and certification" title="What is conformity assessment">testing and certification</a> to verify that manufacturer promises are kept </p> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div data-region="r5c6299aabbc06c5c6299d2b418e" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-3 iec-col "> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-layout-builder block-inline-blockmodule-single-element-text clearfix single-element-text" id="single-element-text-3390"> <div class="text-block-content" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p class="text-align-center"><img alt="regulations" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="23b20897-d9ae-4abf-bee5-4d873649ab8d" src="/system/files/inline-images/regulators.png" width="70px" height="512"></p> <p class="text-align-center">Can provide technical details in regulations</p> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div data-region="r5c6299aabbc06c5c6299d5c3a45" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-3 iec-col "> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-layout-builder block-inline-blockmodule-single-element-text clearfix single-element-text" id="single-element-text-3391"> <div class="text-block-content" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p class="text-align-center"><img alt="trade" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="edf237b3-71ce-4fca-b060-3d47d3f37ba6" height="66" src="/system/files/inline-images/fairTrade-icon_0.png" width="66"></p> <p class="text-align-center">Facilitate international trade</p> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dynamic-layouts-container custom-12" > <div class="iec-full-width iec-bg-grey"> <div class="container"> <div class="dynamic-layout-row iec-row iec-fixed-row-bg "> <div data-region="r5c627bcf91f79c5c627bcf91f7d" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-12 iec-col "> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-custom-anchor block-layout-builder block-inline-blockanchor clearfix"> <div id="publications" class="iec-anchor-selector"><span class="anchor-preview">Anchor placeholder <code>#publications</code></span></div> </section> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-layout-builder block-inline-blockmodule-single-element-text clearfix single-element-text" id="single-element-text-3392"> <div class="text-block-content" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><hr style="color:#333333"> <p> </p> <h2>IEC publications at a glance</h2> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dynamic-layouts-container custom-12" > <div class="iec-full-width iec-bg-grey"> <div class="container"> <div class="dynamic-layout-row iec-row iec-fixed-row-bg "> <div data-region="r5c62992368ffcc5c62992368fff" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-4 iec-col "> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-block-content block-block-content6be622f1-bf69-4501-a3fb-834da28a043a clearfix iec-block-pd"> <div class="fact-and-figures-wrapper"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><h4>Total Publications (as of 2023-12-31) (including 18Guides)</h4> </div> <div class="fact-figures-list"> <div class="fact-figures-item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry"> <span class="text">International Standards</span> <span class="count">7475</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry"> <span class="text">Technical Specifications</span> <span class="count">494</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry"> <span class="text">Technical Reports</span> <span class="count">713</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry"> <span class="text">IEC PAS</span> <span class="count">37</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry"> <span class="text">IEC SRD</span> <span class="count">21</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry"> <span class="text">IEC Guides</span> <span class="count">18</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry fact-figures-item-entry--total"> <span class="text">Total publications developed by IEC SEC</span> <span class="count">8 758</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry"> <span class="text">Publications developed outside IEC SEC</span> <span class="count">2 988</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry fact-figures-item-entry--total"> <span class="text">Total publications</span> <span class="count">11 746</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div data-region="r5c62992368ffcc5c62995b319b5" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-4 iec-col "> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-block-content block-block-content0b184e3c-4046-4c6e-ab64-f36fe96fcfda clearfix iec-block-pd"> <div class="fact-and-figures-wrapper"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><h4>Publications issued in 2023</h4> </div> <div class="fact-figures-list"> <div class="fact-figures-item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry"> <span class="text">International Standards</span> <span class="count">417</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry"> <span class="text">Technical Specifications</span> <span class="count">61</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry"> <span class="text">Technical Reports</span> <span class="count">30</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry"> <span class="text">IEC PAS</span> <span class="count">5</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry"> <span class="text">IEC SRD</span> <span class="count">5</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry"> <span class="text">IEC Guides</span> <span class="count">4</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry fact-figures-item-entry--total"> <span class="text">Total IEC production</span> <span class="count">522</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry"> <span class="text">Production outside IEC SEC</span> <span class="count">185</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry fact-figures-item-entry--total"> <span class="text">Total production </span> <span class="count">707</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-block-content block-block-contentafbb5bbf-2c67-4f99-bd5a-7aa0a8360ae1 clearfix iec-block-pd"> <div class="fact-and-figures-wrapper"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><h4>Active projects (as of 2023-12-31)</h4> </div> <div class="fact-figures-list"> <div class="fact-figures-item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry fact-figures-item-entry--total"> <span class="text">Total Projects</span> <span class="count">1 756</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div data-region="r5c62992368ffcc5c62996ab6187" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-4 iec-col "> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-block-content block-block-content11dba1be-eb2b-4fe3-bae3-ffc6f971bf45 clearfix iec-block-pd"> <div class="fact-and-figures-wrapper"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><h4>FDIS (Final Draft International Standard) issued in 2023</h4> </div> <div class="fact-figures-list"> <div class="fact-figures-item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry"> <span class="text">with CENELEC parallel vote</span> <span class="count">237</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry fact-figures-item-entry--total"> <span class="text">Total FDIS</span> <span class="count">330</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-block-content block-block-content7b2299a1-4bbe-4120-820d-5ac7a545b82a clearfix iec-block-pd"> <div class="fact-and-figures-wrapper"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><h4>CDV (Committee Draft for Vote) issued in 2023</h4> </div> <div class="fact-figures-list"> <div class="fact-figures-item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry"> <span class="text">with CENELEC parallel enquiry</span> <span class="count">334</span> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--fact-and-figures-item paragraph--view-mode--default fact-figures-item-entry fact-figures-item-entry--total"> <span class="text">Total CDV</span> <span class="count">492</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dynamic-layouts-container custom-12" > <div class="dynamic-layout-row iec-row "> <div data-region="r5c1c5969093f7c5c1c5969093fa" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-12 iec-col "> <section class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-block-module-white-gray-space clearfix"> <div class="module-white-gray-space-content iec-bg-color iec-bg-white"> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dynamic-layouts-container custom-12" > <div class="dynamic-layout-row iec-row "> <div data-region="r5c1c592307d5bc5c1c592307d5e" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-4 iec-col "> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-layout-builder block-inline-blockmodule-single-element-text clearfix single-element-text" id="single-element-text-1821"> <div class="text-block-header" style="text-align:left;"> <h2 class="text-block-title condensed" style="font-size:24px;" id="article-header-id-1821-our-publications-"> Our publications </h1> </div> <div class="text-block-content" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>IEC TC/SCs (Technical committees and subcommittees) develop international standards and other types of publications for a specific area of electrotechnology.</p> </div> </div> <div class="text-link-container" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="item-link iec-read-more"> <a href="/publications" class="hvr-icon-forward"> Read more <i class="ion ion-ios-arrow-round-forward hvr-icon"></i></a> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div data-region="r5c1c592307d5bc5c1c592884874" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-4 iec-col "> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-layout-builder block-inline-blockmodule-single-element-text clearfix single-element-text" id="single-element-text-2087"> <div class="text-block-header" style="text-align:left;"> <h2 class="text-block-title condensed" style="font-size:24px;" id="article-header-id-2087-standards-development-stages"> Standards development stages </h1> </div> <div class="text-block-content" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>An overview of the development process of a new IEC International Standard.</p> </div> </div> <div class="text-link-container" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="item-link iec-read-more"> <a href="/standards-development/stages" class="hvr-icon-forward"> Read more <i class="ion ion-ios-arrow-round-forward hvr-icon"></i></a> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div data-region="r5c1c592307d5bc5c1c592a3d27d" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-4 iec-col "> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-layout-builder block-inline-blockmodule-single-element-text clearfix single-element-text" id="single-element-text-2088"> <div class="text-block-header" style="text-align:left;"> <h2 class="text-block-title condensed" style="font-size:24px;" id="article-header-id-2088-a-systems-approach"> A systems approach </h1> </div> <div class="text-block-content" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>A systems approach focuses on the whole system rather than each individual part.</p> </div> </div> <div class="text-link-container" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="item-link iec-read-more"> <a href="/standards-development/systems-approach" class="hvr-icon-forward"> Read more <i class="ion ion-ios-arrow-round-forward hvr-icon"></i></a> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dynamic-layouts-container custom-12" > <div class="dynamic-layout-row iec-row "> <div data-region="r5c1c592307d5bc5c1c592307d5e" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-4 iec-col "> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-layout-builder block-inline-blockmodule-single-element-text clearfix single-element-text" id="single-element-text-1820"> <div class="text-block-header" style="text-align:left;"> <h2 class="text-block-title condensed" style="font-size:24px;" id="article-header-id-1820-benefits-of-using-iec-standards--conformity-assessment"> Benefits of using IEC Standards & conformity assessment </h1> </div> <div class="text-block-content" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Standards describe the processes and methods to ensure the safety, reliability, and performance of electrical systems and information technologies. Conformity assessment verifies that the written word is applied in the real world.</p> </div> </div> <div class="text-link-container" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="item-link iec-read-more"> <a href="/standards-development/benefits-using-iec-standards" class="hvr-icon-forward"> Read more <i class="ion ion-ios-arrow-round-forward hvr-icon"></i></a> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div data-region="r5c1c592307d5bc5c1c592884874" class="dynamic-layouts-container-column layout-builder--layout__region col-4 iec-col "> <section class="block block-iec-section-custom block-layout-builder block-inline-blockmodule-single-element-text clearfix single-element-text" id="single-element-text-3513"> <div class="text-block-header" style="text-align:left;"> <h2 class="text-block-title condensed" style="font-size:24px;" id="article-header-id-3513-public-commenting"> Public commenting </h1> </div> <div class="text-block-content" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Why comment? Help shape international standards in your field. 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