I read in !emc-pstc that [email protected] wrote (in <7c.3121528b.2b032 [email protected]>) about 'TC77b Rewrite of 61000-4-2 and 61000-4-4' on Tue, 12 Nov 2002: >That's interesting, but I'm afraid it may not be as helpful as it sounds to >the 'entire' electronics world. I agree that the fast-moving fast-obsoleting >ITE/CISPR 24 world will probably weather it relatively well; good for them. > >However, I failed to note my greatest concern is with EMC product-family >standard EN 61326 for measurement, control, and lab equipment. Typically the >very standard applied to equipment used in the electronics R&D and production >industry, from DMMs to oscilloscopes. > >61326 equipment is not often obsoleted, even in well over six years. Rapid >obsoletion of such products is not well tolerated by the customers. Many >will recall the very loud fuss raised over the sudden obsoletion of certain >HP/Agilent spectrum analyzers roughly two years ago. > >In particular, this clause of 61326 regarding normative documents is >interesting, making a fairly strong case for using the "most recent" edition >of referenced standards, but not specifically requiring it: > >"2 Normative references >The following normative documents contain provision which, through reference >in this text, constitute >provisions of this standard. At the time of publication, the editions >indicated were valid. All normative >documents are subject to revision, and parties to agreement based on this >standard are encouraged to >investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the >normative documents indicated below. >Members of the IEC and ISO maintain registers of currently valid >International Standards."
The application of IEC standards is, as far as IEC is concerned, a contractual matter. National administrations may make conformity mandatory, but that is nothing to do with IEC. Also, the boilerplate text for Normative References clauses has been changed to: QUOTE The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of [insert reference of standard or section]. At the time of publication, the editions indicated were valid. All normative documents are subject to revision, and parties to agreements based on [insert reference of standard or section] are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the normative documents indicated below. Members of IEC and ISO maintain registers of currently valid international standards. > >However it is also true as cited in Annex ZA of 61326 that only the listed >standards are applicable. In this case only the 1995 EN editions of -2 and >-4 are required. As: > >"This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, >provisions from other publications. >These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text >and the publications are listed >hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any >of these publications apply >to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or >revision. For undated references >the latest edition of the publication referred to applies (including >amendments)." > For Europe, this is what matters. While undated references to ENs can be allowed, because the dates at which new editions come into effect are certain (docoposs again), there is no such date associated with IEC standards, which should thus not be referenced undated. >Again, considering the extended life of 61326 products even a six year cycle >could be tramatic. Failing to switch to a new basic standard as soon as it >is released could be a major error in planning. > >Consider being a compliance manager faced with a new edition of 61326 with >these two (and probably more) new normative references impacting a catalog of >nearly 500 products - all not yet tested - and barely three years to make the >transition - acquire new capital equipment, staff accordingly... . (Remember >that new products are still being introduced/tested in this period.) That >isn't a transition period, it is in fact PURE PANIC and at high cost. > >This is not just my opinion. This is from real life experience with a >catalog of just over 470 products as 61326 itself became mandatory. OK, well, given a good case, CENELEC and the Commission can agree to a longer transition period than the normal 3 years for a new edition of a standard to come into effect. If your concerns are shared by European test-gear manufacturers, a good case for special treatment of EN 61326 can be made out. But you have to work at it; it won't happen unless you stir things up to get it to happen. -- Regards, John Woodgate, OOO - Own Opinions Only. http://www.jmwa.demon.co.uk Interested in professional sound reinforcement and distribution? Then go to http://www.isce.org.uk PLEASE do NOT copy news posts to me by E-MAIL! ------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list. Visit our web site at: http://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/emcs/pstc/ To cancel your subscription, send mail to: [email protected] with the single line: unsubscribe emc-pstc For help, send mail to the list administrators: Ron Pickard: [email protected] Dave Heald: [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: [email protected] Jim Bacher: [email protected] All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://ieeepstc.mindcruiser.com/ Click on "browse" and then "emc-pstc mailing list"
