The following links point to organizations that establish Standards that are generally applied world wide. Among the many Standards these organization publish, are electrical standards that are applied to electrical engineering, and electrical specific PPE and tools.

American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), ASTM International 

ASTM International is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world-a trusted source for technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services. Known for their high technical quality and market relevancy, ASTM International standards have an important role in the information infrastructure that guides design, manufacturing and trade in the global economy.

ASTM International, originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), was formed over a century ago, when a forward-thinking group of engineers and scientists got together to address frequent rail breaks in the burgeoning railroad industry. Their work led to standardization on the steel used in rail construction, ultimately improving railroad safety for the public. As the century progressed and new industrial, governmental and environmental developments created new standardization requirements, ASTM answered the call with consensus standards that have made products and services safer, better and more cost-effective. The proud tradition and forward vision that started in 1898 is still the hallmark of ASTM International.

Today, ASTM continues to play a leadership role in addressing the standardization needs of the global marketplace. Known for its best in class practices for standards development and delivery, ASTM is at the forefront in the use of innovative technology to help its members do standards development work, while also increasing the accessibility of ASTM International standards to the world.

ASTM continues to be the standards forum of choice of a diverse range of industries that come together under the ASTM umbrella to solve standardization challenges. In recent years, stakeholders involved in issues ranging from safety in recreational aviation, to fiber optic cable installations in underground utilities, to homeland security, have come together under ASTM to set consensus standards for their industries.

Standards developed at ASTM are the work of over 30,000 ASTM members. These technical experts represent producers, users, consumers, government and academia from over 120 countries. Participation in ASTM International is open to all with a material interest, anywhere in the world.

Institute of Electrical, and Electronic Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) 

A non-profit organization, IEEE is the world's leading professional association for the advancement of technology.

The IEEE name was originally an acronym for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. Today, the organization's scope of interest has expanded into so many related fields, that it is simply referred to by the letters I-E-E-E (pronounced Eye-triple-E).

International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC) 

Mission The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies. These serve as a basis for national standardization and as references when drafting international tenders and contracts. Through its members, the IEC promotes international cooperation on all questions of electrotechnical standardization and related matters, such as the assessment of conformity to standards, in the fields of electricity, electronics and related technologies. The IEC charter embraces all electrotechnologies including electronics, magnetics and electromagnetics, electroacoustics, multimedia, telecommunication, and energy production and distribution, as well as associated general disciplines such as terminology and symbols, electromagnetic compatibility, measurement and performance, dependability, design and development, safety and the environment. Objectives The Commission's objectives are to: meet the requirements of the global market efficiently ensure primacy and maximum world-wide use of its standards and conformity assessment schemes assess and improve the quality of products and services covered by its standards establish the conditions for the interoperability of complex systems increase the efficiency of industrial processes contribute to the improvement of human health and safety contribute to the protection of the environment. Standards IEC's international standards facilitate world trade by removing technical barriers to trade, leading to new markets and economic growth. Put simply, a component or system manufactured to IEC standards and manufactured in country A can be sold and used in countries B through to Z. IEC's standards are vital since they also represent the core of the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), whose 100-plus central government members explicitly recognize that international standards play a critical role in improving industrial efficiency and developing world trade. The number of standardization bodies which have accepted the Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards presented in Annex 3 to the WTO's TBT Agreement underlines the global importance and reach of this accord. IEC standards provide industry and users with the framework for economies of design, greater product and service quality, more inter-operability, and better production and delivery efficiency. At the same time, IEC's standards also encourage an improved quality of life by contributing to safety, human health and the protection of the environment. Conformity assessment The IEC's multilateral conformity assessment schemes, based on its international standards, are truly global in concept and practice, reducing trade barriers caused by different certification criteria in various countries and helping industry to open up new markets. Removing the significant delays and costs of multiple testing and approval allows industry to be faster and cheaper to market with its products. As technology becomes more complex, users and consumers are becoming more aware of their dependence on products whose design and construction they may not understand. In this situation, reassurance is needed that the product is reliable and will meet expectations in terms of performance, safety, durability and other criteria. How can the industrial user and the final consumer be sure that the product they buy conforms to the criteria of an IEC standard? The IEC's conformity assessment and product certification schemes exist to provide just this reassurance, and the regulatory nature of some products now also sees recognition of the CA schemes amongst some government regulators.

IEC's conformity assessment and product certification schemes IECEE Scheme for conformity testing and certification of electrotechnical equipment and components. The IECEE also provides a certification service for the Global Approval Program for Photovoltaics which enables it, through its members, to grant the PV GAP mark/seal. The IECEE has two branches:     CB Scheme for mutual recognition of test certificates for electrotechnical equipment and components CB-FCS Scheme for mutual recognition of conformity assessment certificates for electrotechnical equipment and components (Full Certification Scheme) IECQ Scheme   for the quality assessment of electronic components and associated materials and processes IECEx Scheme   for certification to standards for electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres

Using IEC standards for certification at the national level ensures that a certified product has been manufactured and type-tested to well established international standards. The end user can be sure that the product meets minimum (usually high) quality standards, and need not be concerned with further testing or evaluation of the product.