The IECEE, an integral part of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), stands for the IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components. It is more widely recognized as the CB System, which facilitates conformity testing and certification for electrical and electronic equipment on a global scale.
Historically, the roots of IECEE can be traced back to a European organization named Commission internationale de réglementation en vue de l’approbation de l’équipement électrique, or CEE. This initiative began in 1929 under the guidance of the German VDE (Verband der Elektrotechnik, Elektronik und Informationstechnik). The CEE was instrumental in developing standards for electrical equipment, many of which have since been replaced by IEC standards.
The CB Scheme, an essential component of the IECEE, is a multilateral agreement that enables international certification of electrical products. This means that with a single certification from a recognized testing laboratory, products can gain access to markets worldwide. Originating from the European “Commission for Conformity Testing of Electrical Equipment” (CEE), which integrated into the IEC in 1985, the scheme now boasts 52 member bodies within IECEE and 65 national certification bodies (NCBs) supported by 276 CB test labs globally.
In terms of standards, CEE initially published several under its name. For instance:
- CEE 7 outlined specifications for plugs and socket-outlets used domestically across Europe. Although updated in 1983, it is now used alongside IEC 60884-1.
- CEE 13 dealt with polyvinyl chloride insulated cables and cords, later replaced by CENELEC HD-21 and adopted as IEC 227.
- CEE 17 provided specifications for industrial plugs and sockets, evolving into IEC 60309.
- CEE 22 specified appliance couplers for general purposes, transitioning to IEC 60320.
Through these efforts, IECEE continues to play a pivotal role in standardizing electrical equipment conformity assessments worldwide.