IEC GUIDE 108:2019 PDF

Overview

IEC GUIDE 108:2019 - Guidelines for ensuring the coherence of IEC publications - defines the rules and processes for horizontal functions and horizontal publications within the IEC system. It is intended to be used alongside the ISO/IEC Directives and aspect‑specific Guides. The Guide formalizes how documents that are widely applicable across multiple committees (horizontal publications) are created, approved and applied to ensure consistent treatment of cross‑cutting topics across product publications.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of horizontal function and publication: a horizontal function is a task assigned to a committee to prepare one or more horizontal publications; a horizontal publication addresses a subject relevant to a number of committees and is crucial for coherence among IEC publications.
• Document types and designation: only International Standards (IS) and Technical Reports (TR) can be designated as horizontal publications. Technical Specifications (TS) and Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) cannot, unless explicitly intended to become IS in a future revision (this intent must be stated in the TS/PAS scope).
• Categories and types: the Guide introduces optional categories (basic, generic, group) and types (essential, guidance, test method, data) of horizontal publications to promote consistent use within aspect‑specific Guides.
• Mandatory vs. guidance language: the Guide contains mandatory requirements (identified by “shall”) and guidance (identified by “should”), consistent with IEC governance established by the Standardization Management Board.
• Scope and scope statements: every horizontal publication shall include a scope statement declaring its horizontal nature and reference this Guide or the relevant aspect‑specific Guide.
• Roles and responsibilities: procedures and responsibilities are described for assignment or change of horizontal functions, the role of Advisory Committees (ACs), committees holding horizontal functions, and product committees that apply horizontal publications.

Practical applications and users

Who uses IEC GUIDE 108:2019:

• IEC technical committees, subcommittees and systems committees preparing horizontal or product publications.
• Advisory Committees (ACs) that support, review or coordinate horizontal work.
• Standards managers, editors and secretariats ensuring cross‑committee consistency.
• Stakeholders (manufacturers, conformity assessors, regulators) who rely on coherent treatment of cross‑cutting topics (e.g., safety, EMC, environment, security) across product standards.

Practical value:

• Ensures uniform application of cross‑cutting principles across many product standards.
• Provides a formal route to create high‑level, widely applicable documents (IS/TR) that product committees must apply.
• Reduces conflicts and duplication by clarifying when group or generic rules apply and how product standards take precedence when dedicated publications exist.

Related standards

• ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 (procedures for technical work) - IEC GUIDE 108 is to be used in conjunction with these Directives and aspect‑specific Guides.