Development of a national standard
International Organizations for electrical standardization and their operation

In the past, most of the standards set by the Union Technique de l'Électricité were strictly French.

This case still exists, but is becoming increasingly rare.

Today, the vast majority of national standards have their origins in European standards drawn up by CENELEC, which in turn are largely derived from international standards. Similarly, in the absence of European work, a national committee, including the French national committee, may also endorse an IEC international standard.

However, a national committee may consider it necessary, in view of its local situation, to draw up an exclusively national standard. Before doing so, it must inform CENELEC of its purely national need, within the framework...