The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is an international standards body for all things electrical. They create and maintain standards for everything from the voltage of household outlets to the types of connectors used in data centers. The IEC is a voluntary organization, meaning that membership is not mandatory, but most countries do participate.
The IEC was founded in 1906 and has since grown to include over one hundred member countries. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The IEC’s work helps to ensure that electrical products are safe, reliable, and compatible with each other no matter where they were manufactured. This makes it easier for manufacturers to sell their products internationally, and for consumers to buy products from any country with confidence that they will work properly.
While the IEC does not have enforcement power itself, many national governments adopt its standards as law. This means that companies that do not comply with IEC standards may be subject to fines or other penalties from their own government.