IEC Lighting Committees
There are a number of IEC committees, teams and groups that deal with lighting. For a general summary of the structure of IEC committees, click here.
Technical Committee TC 34 - Lamps and Related Equipment
The relevant Technical Committee for lighting products is TC 34 - Lamps and Related Equipment. TC 34 currently meets each year to discuss the strategic direction for the standards within its control.
The country membership of TC 34 is listed on the IEC website (note the Particpant /Observer status of each TC 34 member country listed).
TC 34 has four subcommittees (SCs) , SC 34A, SC 34B, SC 34C and SC 34D, as well as Working Groups (WGs), titled PRESCO, EPC, COMEX and LUMEX.
SC 34A, SC 34B, SC 34C and SC 34D are tasked with technical aspects associated with lamps, accessories, control gear and luminaires respectively. They are described in more detail below.
Subcommittee SC 34A – Lamps
SC 34A prepares international standards for lamps, LEDs and glow starters. It includes the Maintenance Team MT PRESCO and various Project Teams to progress particular standards or items of interest.
Please click the following links to relevant information on 34A / PRESCO documents and activities:
- All currently published standards.
- Working documents which will provide an insight into the current activities of PRESCO.
Working Group PRESCO typically meets every six months in April and October. Project Teams have been created to handle new projects, and these teams meet as required usually in January and June. The frequency of SC34A meetings and whether they should be held in conjunction with the TC 34 meeting is currently under review.
Subcommittee SC 34B – Lamp Caps and Holders
SC 34B standardises lamp and LED caps/bases and holders to ensure proper contact, interchangeability and adequate safety. It includes the following teams and groups:
- Maintenance Team MT EPC 1 - Specifications for lampholders.
- Maintenance Team MT EPC 2 - General lighting service and fluorescent tube cap/holder fits.
- Maintenance Team MT EPC 3 - Automotive lamp cap/holder fits.
- Maintenance Team MT EPC 4 - Miscellaneous cap/holder fits covering projection, miniature and photo lamps etc.
- Advisory Group AG EPCAP.
Working Groups EPC 1, 2, 3 and 4 typically meet every six months in April and October. The advisory Group (AG) EPCAP also meets as required. The frequency of SC 34B meetings and whether they should be held in conjunction with the TC 34 meeting is currently under review.
Subcommittee SC 34C - Auxiliaries for Lamps (Lamp Controlgear)
SC 34C prepares international standards for lamp control gear. It includes the Maintenance Team MT COMEX and various Project Teams to progress particular standards or items of interest.
Working Group COMEX typically meets every six months in April and October. Project Teams have been created to handle new projects, and these teams meet as required, usually in January and June. The frequency of SC 34C meetings and whether they should be held in conjunction with the TC 34 meeting is currently under review.
Subcommittee SC 34D – Luminaires
SC 34D prepares international standards for luminaires. It includes Working Group WG 1 – LUMEX and various Project Teams to progress particular standards or items of interest.
Working Group LUMEX typically meet every six months in April and October. Project Teams have been created to handle new projects, and these teams meet as required, usually in January and June. The frequency of SC 34D meetings and whether they should be held in conjunction with the TC 34 meeting is currently under review.
Other Panels and Workshops
As well as the subcommittees, maintenance teams, advisory groups, project teams and working groups mentioned above, various specialist panels exist. Panels such as the LUMEX-managed Interpretations Panel (IP) and Preparatory Action Panel (PAP) use a small group of experts to provide input on items requested by LUMEX. Workshops can be set up to deal with specific issues raised. They are constituted by technical experts (who do not need to be members) and make recommendations for working Groups or Subcommittees to vote on. These meetings are typically held every six months in January and June, in conjunction with the project team meetings.