Standard Organizations
Standard organizations typically operate in the international arena as formal and non-formal organizations.
Non-formal standard organizations are forums and consortia. Formal standardization, depending on the sector, occurs at three different levels in three main sectors.
National Level (Turkey)
Regional Level (Europe)
International Level
General Applications
TSE
CEN
ISO
Electrotechnical Applications
TSE
CENELEC
IEC
Telecommunication Applications
BTK
ETSI
ITU, ISO/IEC/JTC1
Although standardization levels differ according to their internal regulations, basic principles such as transparency, openness, impartiality, continuity, accessibility to publications, patent rules, efficiency, accountability, and consistency remain the same.
Non-Formal Standardization OrganizationsThe scope of standardization activities is regularly expanding beyond formal standardization structures. Unlike traditional sectors such as construction, machinery, and pharmaceuticals, in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, which also covers telecommunications, the rapid development of processes has led to the emergence of forums and consortia—non-formal standard organizations that develop technical specifications not equivalent to formal standards.
The development of technical specifications by forums and consortia—non-formal standard organizations—increasingly without adhering to standardization principles is seen as a major challenge to the standardization system.
However, formal standard organizations are trying to find ways to meet new market needs, which also increases the role played by forums and consortia. In this context, formal standard organizations have adopted structures that allow collaboration with forums and consortia.
Formal Standard OrganizationsInternational Standard OrganizationsThe world's leading international standards organizations are ISO, IEC, and ITU. These organizations bring together leading experts from industry, public institutions, academia, and society through their procedures and areas of expertise to develop international standards. ISO, IEC, and ITU standards are used at international, regional, and national levels to meet market and regulatory needs.
ISO - International Organization for StandardizationIEC - International Electrotechnical CommissionITU - International Telecommunication Union
European Standard OrganizationsThe European Union (EU) conducts studies to create European standards in place of national standards to contribute to the free movement of goods. In this scope, there are three European standard organizations operating in the field of standardization in the EU: CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI. Additionally, these three European standard organizations can prepare standards by conducting joint work on certain topics.
CEN - European Committee for StandardizationCENELEC - European Committee for Electrotechnical StandardizationETSI - European Telecommunications Standards Institute
International Standard OrganizationsOur country's national standards organization is the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE), a public institution with legal personality, managed according to private law provisions.
ISO - International Organization for StandardizationISO is the largest international standards organization, headquartered in Geneva, with 157 member countries, established in 1947, preparing and publishing international standards.
ISO works on all subjects outside the fields of electricity, electronics, telecommunications, and related technologies covered by IEC and ITU, and conducts standard preparation activities through technical committees.
The aim of ISO is;
- To accelerate the international exchange of goods and services,
- To promote cooperation in scientific, technological, and economic activities,
- To increase market interest in ISO,
- To develop the ISO system and standards,
- To use resources in the best way,
- To encourage new technical programs,
- To build infrastructure in developing countries.
IEC is an international standards organization, headquartered in London, with national committees from 67 countries as members, established in 1906, preparing and publishing international standards on electricity, electronics, and related technologies.
IEC's work covers terminology and symbols, electromagnetic compatibility, measurement and performance, design development, safety, environment, and similar general topics, as well as electronics, magnetic and electromagnetic, electro-acoustics, multimedia, telecommunications, energy production and distribution.
The aim of IEC is;
- To efficiently meet the requirements of the global market,
- To lead to new markets and economic developments by removing technical barriers and facilitating world trade,
- To prepare the necessary conditions for the interoperability of complex systems,
- To increase the efficiency of industrial methods,
- To contribute to human health and safety and environmental protection,
- To meet global market needs,
- To improve the quality of products and services.
ITU is a United Nations agency responsible for international frequency allocation, telecommunications standardization, and telecommunications development activities.
ITU was established in 1865 by 20 European countries, including the Ottoman Empire, as the "International Telegraph Union." ITU is a neutral and international organization headquartered in Geneva, where public institutions and the private sector can come together and collaborate to coordinate the operation of telecommunications networks and services.
ITU differs from other international standards organizations because it is based on the principle of providing cooperation between public institutions and the private sector. With its members consisting of regulatory bodies, operators, manufacturers, hardware and software developers, regional standards organizations, and financing institutions in the telecommunications field, ITU's activities, policies, and strategic direction are determined and shaped by the industry it serves.
In this context, the aim of ITU is;
- To continue and promote international cooperation among member states for the development and rational use of telecommunications,
- To encourage and develop the participation of institutions and organizations in ITU activities,
- To support cooperation between institutions, organizations, and member states,
- To encourage developing countries' work in telecommunications, provide technical assistance, and facilitate access to telecommunications services,
- To encourage the development and public presentation of technical equipment to increase efficiency in telecommunications services,
- To encourage the use of telecommunications services in strengthening peaceful relations between countries,
- To ensure efficient and constructive cooperation between member public institutions and the private sector,
- To promote the acceptance of a broader approach at the international level on telecommunications issues, while cooperating with other international and regional organizations and civil society organizations related to telecommunications.
- ITU Constitution,
- ITU Convention,
- Administrative Regulations
o Radio Regulations
o International Telecommunication Regulations.The world is divided into 5 Administrative Regions and 3 Frequency Regions at ITU. Turkey is in Administrative Region B (Western Europe) and Frequency Region 1 (Europe, Africa, Middle East, East Asia).
The organizational structure of ITU consists of;
- Plenipotentiary Conference,
- Council,
- World Telecommunication Conferences,
- General Secretariat,
- ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R),
- ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T),
- ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D).
ITU's three main sectors, ITU-T, ITU-R, and ITU-D, are working together today to create and shape the networks and services of the future. Their activities range from establishing standards that enable hardware and systems to operate on a global scale to adopting operating procedures for broad and rapidly growing wireless services and accepting programs to improve the existing telecommunications infrastructure in the developing world. Thanks to ITU's work, the telecommunications sector has become a trillion-dollar industry worldwide.
Each of these three ITU sectors works through conferences and meetings, allowing member countries to negotiate agreements that form the basis of global telecommunications services in these meetings and conferences. In addition, working groups and subgroups consisting of experts from leading telecommunications organizations worldwide conduct the detailed work necessary for ITU's technical work and recommendations.
Information on the purpose, structure, and working groups of ITU's three main sectors, ITU-R, ITU-T, and ITU-D, is provided below.
ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R)ITU-R is responsible for making decisions on technical characteristics and operating procedures for the provision of a large and increasing variety of wireless services. Due to the rapid development of new radio-based services and the importance of mobile communication technologies, ITU-R also plays an important role in radio frequency spectrum management, which is in increasing demand.
The aim of ITU-R is to ensure the rational, equitable, efficient, and economic use of the radio frequency spectrum—including geostationary and other satellite orbits—for all radiocommunication services, taking into account the needs of developing countries. ITU-R also has the task of regulating the technical characteristics and operating methods of evolving radio services. Allocating from the frequency spectrum, considered a scarce resource, to these systems to meet the needs of emerging technologies is also among ITU-R's objectives.
ITU-R conducts its activities through;
- World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC), Regional Radiocommunication Conferences (RRC),
- Radiocommunication Assemblies (RA),
- Radio Regulations Board (RRB),
- Radiocommunication Working Parties,
- Radiocommunication Advisory Group (RAG),
- Radiocommunication Bureau (RB).
Radiocommunication Working Parties are established by the RA. The topics to be worked on by the groups are determined based on requests from the RA, Plenipotentiary Conference, World Radiocommunication Conferences, Council, and Radio Regulations Board. Working parties prepare draft recommendations and work on topics included in the decisions of World Radiocommunication Conferences.
More than 1500 experts from telecommunications organizations and administrations worldwide participate in 7 ITU-R working parties. Draft ITU-R recommendations are approved either by correspondence or at the next Radiocommunication Assembly.
The tasks of the working parties are;
- To prepare draft ITU-R recommendations covering technical characteristics and operating procedures of radiocommunication services and systems,
- To design technical bases for radiocommunication conferences,
- To prepare handbooks on spectrum regulations, emergency radiocommunication services and systems,
- To prepare reports on technical, operational, and regulatory/operational bases for Radiocommunication Conferences at conference preparatory meetings.
- In addition to working parties, there are also committees within ITU-R.
ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T)ITU-T works on the development of international technical and operational standards in telecommunications and on determining tariff and accounting procedures for telecommunications services.
International standards development represents a global collective effort costing hundreds of millions of dollars annually. ITU-T makes a vital contribution to this process.
ITU standards play an important role in shaping today's ICT and services. Recommendations created through consensus in working groups are not legally binding on countries but are accepted and implemented by countries.
The aim of ITU-T is;
- To create a collaborative, impartial, and expertise-oriented structure open to participation by all members,
- To reduce the high cost of international standards development activities,
- To find the most appropriate technical solutions through internationally recognized recommendations it develops,
- To provide manufacturers with the opportunity to compete on a solid foundation in the global market without encountering technical barriers.
ITU-T conducts its activities through;
- World Telecommunication Standardization Assemblies (WTSA),
- Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG),
- Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB),
- Telecommunication Standardization Working Parties.
ITU-T working parties, consisting of public institutions and private sector representatives from ITU-T members, develop recommendations for various fields of telecommunications based on study topics. Their primary task is to carry out standardization activities.
The tasks of the working parties are;
- To prepare recommendations in accordance with the procedure in the ITU Convention and to adopt study topics in accordance with the procedure prepared by WTSA,
- To prepare a report indicating the working method of each working party for submission to WTSA,
- To take measures to improve coordination and cooperation with ITU-R, ITU-D, and other organizations related to telecommunication standardization to facilitate the review of their activities in ITU-T.
ITU-D is tasked with minimizing and preventing the uneven development of telecommunications worldwide by taking measures to expand telecommunications infrastructure and increase investments in all countries. In this scope, it supports developing countries in technical, financial, and human resource areas for their ICT applications and develops and implements programs focused on the needs of developing countries.
The aim of ITU-D is;
- To provide policy and regulatory advice,
- To propose low-cost technological options,
- To assist in the management of human resources,
- To engage in activities for developing initiatives targeting universal access and rural development, thereby providing support to enable countries to reform their telecommunications sector.
ITU-D conducts its activities through;
- World/Regional Telecommunication Development Conferences (WTDC/RTDC),
- Telecommunication Development Advisory Group (TDAG),
- Telecommunication Development Working Parties,
- Telecommunication Development Bureau (TDB).
Since ITU-D has no activities related to technical standards, it has only two working parties. These working parties prepare draft recommendations, opinions, or guidelines related to developing countries.
Working parties, taking into account institutional, structural, and regulatory reform issues in the telecommunications sector of developing countries, also engage in telecommunications development strategies and financial matters.
Another important area of work for the groups is the development, harmonization, management, and maintenance of telecommunications networks and services, including spectrum regulation.
ITU MembershipTelecommunications equipment manufacturers, operators, carriers, financial providers to the sector, R&D organizations, and regional telecommunications organizations that can join ITU as sector members, as well as governments that can join as member states, are open to ITU membership.
As telecommunications becomes increasingly important as a universal facilitator of global economic activities, ITU membership provides public institutions and the private sector with the opportunity to play an active role in establishing the world's communication network.
ITU cooperates with ISO and IEC, particularly in the field of information and communication technology. In this scope, a cooperation agreement has been made between ITU-T and the ISO/IEC Joint Technical Committee 1 (JTC 1), which works on standardization in information technology established by ISO and IEC. Additionally, they have established the World Standards Cooperation for their joint activities.
Additionally, ITU signed the Electronic Commerce Understanding Agreement in 2000 between IEC, ISO, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The purpose of this agreement is to avoid different approaches and standards in e-commerce and e-business and to regulate their needs related to standards work.ITU has a cooperation agreement with ETSI for the development of telecommunications standards. According to the text signed between the ITU-T Director and the ETSI Secretary General, it has been decided that the two organizations cooperate to ensure the development of appropriate standards that meet market needs at global and regional levels. Additionally, matters such as document exchange, acceptance of each other's standards, and participation in activities are included.
In addition, according to a recommendation adopted at the World Telecommunication Standardization Conference - 96 (WTSC-96), working party chairmen are encouraged to establish two-way communication with representatives of forums/consortia. There are also procedures for establishing official communication with forums and consortia qualified according to ITU's criteria.
CEN - European Committee for StandardizationCEN is a standards organization established in 1961, headquartered in Brussels, with a total of 39 members consisting of 30 national, 7 associate, and 2 advisory members, operating to harmonize standards at the EU level. CEN, with a broader scope of work compared to CENELEC and ETSI, works to remove technical barriers arising from differences in national standards that negatively affect the functioning of the Single Market by creating harmonized EU standards in all sectors.
The aim of CEN is;
- To harmonize national standards published by its members,
- To ensure that international standards are implemented as is by its members,
- To prepare European standards taking into account the EU's needs when there are no appropriate international standards to be used as reference documents,
- To ensure mutual recognition at the European level of test results and certification systems,
- To support standardization parallel to ISO,
- To cooperate with organizations in Europe, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and other international governmental organizations to ensure that documents harmonized with European standards are included in directives or other documents,
- To reduce technical barriers to trade together with international institutions and its partners in Europe,
- To improve product safety,
- To enable interoperability of products, systems, and services,
- To provide the necessary technical harmonization to develop a common technical understanding.
CENELEC is a standards organization established in 1973, headquartered in Brussels, with a total of 38 members consisting of 30 national and 8 associate members, operating to prepare and harmonize standards on product safety and electrotechnical structure at the EU level.
The aim of CENELEC is;
- To lead the improvement of product quality and safety, including environmental protection, and service quality and safety in the field of electricity, electronics, and related technologies,
- To serve the interests of CENELEC members and relevant parties, the electrotechnical industry, cooperating organizations, social and economic partners,
- To support IEC to achieve its mission,
- To prepare electrotechnical standards that will contribute to the development of the Common Market/European Economic Area for electrical and electronic products and services,
- To remove technical barriers to trade,
- To create new markets,
- To reduce conformity assessment costs.
ETSI – European Telecommunications Standards InstituteETSI, established in 1988 by the Conference of European Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) to create telecommunications standards in Europe, is an independent and non-profit standards organization. Although ETSI was initially established as a regional standards body, with the globalization of the telecommunications market and increasing demand for mobile communications, it has begun producing standards at the global level. ETSI, located in Sophia Antipolis in southern France, has members consisting of public institutions, manufacturers, operators, research groups, and users. ETSI's activities are carried out taking into account the market needs determined by its members.ETSI provides significant support to worldwide standards development efforts and the development of other technical documentation in telecommunications, radio broadcasting, and information technology. ETSI's primary aim is to support global harmonization by providing a forum where all key players can actively contribute. ETSI is governed by ETSI Directives containing its working principles and procedures.
The aim of ETSI is;
- To produce and maintain the technical standards needed by its members,
- To increase and support competition in the European market related to telecommunications,
- To assist in standardization at the international level,
- To play a role in
