Standards Development

Scope

This part of IEC 60050 gives the fundamental terminology relating to circular economy, and in particular, material efficiency, and is intended to help the standard writers to prepare standards, and to help the standards users to understand and implement them with regards to

• the design of products, processes, and business models, enabling sustainable development by making or enhancing the circular flow(s) of materials, and reducing and ultimately eliminating waste, and

• minimization of the use of (natural) resources by optimizing the amount and the performance of material in the product while maintaining the capability for it to be recovered and optimizing the lifetime of products.

This document excludes terms relating to environment and dependability, which are addressed respectively in IEC 60050-904 and IEC 60050-192.

It has the status of a horizontal publication in accordance with IEC Guide 108, Guidelines for ensuring thecoherence of IEC publications – Horizontal functions, horizontal publications and their application.

This terminology is consistent with the terminology developed in the other specialized parts of the IEV.

This horizontal publication is primarily intended for use by technical committees in the preparation of IEC publications in accordance with the principles laid down in IEC Guide 108.

One of the responsib ilities of a technical committee is, wherever applicable, to make use of horizontal publications in the preparation of its publications.

Purpose

One of the conclusions of the ACEA workshop “Circular Economy and Material Efficiency initiatives: potential consequences for IEC publications” in 2019 in Shanghai was that

• internationally agreed and harmonized terminology relating to circular economy and, especially, material efficiency aspects is needed, and

• for the development of such internationally agreed and harmonized terminology, it is essential to have the participation of both components committees and product committees.

ACEA subsequently approached TC 1 and agreement was reached to seek the establishment of a JWG. JWG 2 was proposed through 1/2428/DC (2020-02-21) and the results published in 1/2438/INF (2020-07- 10).

This project is proposed as a horizontal publication under TC 1. This IEV part is important to ensure the coherent and consistent use of terminology related to circular economy and material efficiency by the electrical and electronics equipment sector.

It fills a gap by clarifying differences between similar terms used with different meanings and defining terms for which no definition currently exists or for which contradictory definitions exist. The terms and definitions currently in use have been reviewed, updated as necessary, generalized and harmonized.

This project is a collective effort of several committees of IEC, as well as two relevant ISO and ITU-T committees, that have an interest in or can benefit from this standard. JWG 2 comprises 21 members from 8 NCs and includes representatives from 11 different committees.