NEMA’s electroindustry May 2010 - 24

International Roundup
possible. The ongoing debate between IEC- and NEMA-type products has caused a certain amount of paralysis in adopting codes and standards. That debate is beginning to recede, much to the credit of NFPA’s efforts in the region, Costa Rica’s adoption of NEC, and the growing number of CANENA work programs based on IEC standards. There is also a need to identify and rank the various approaches to achieving energy efficiency and recommend a model harmonized approach. Finally, it is important to come up with a harmonized approach to develop and implement of Smart Grid standards. ei Joel Solis, Conformity Assessment Manager and CANENA Secretary General | joel_solis@nema.org
All conference presentations are available on the CANENA website at www.canena.org/news/meetings.asp

understood that trinational harmonization efforts in CANENA have the potential of being magnified. It is a long-term goal that CANENA has finally reached. One of the most important issues discussed was the creation of the ad hoc Harmonization Working Group. This multi-country group consists of the CANENA members (NEMA members, ANCE, INTECO), the Salvadorian

Committee of Energy, NEMA Mexico, and BUN-CA. The conference concluded with a discussion on the direct relationship between the priorities for electrical safety and energy efficiency for electrical products in the Americas. One priority is to establish relevant electrotechnical safety standards in all countries in the region, harmonized to the greatest extent

› ESFI Mexico Committee Promoting Electrical Safety Message During 2010
After receiving the ESFI Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE) in November 2009, the ESFI Mexico Committee has been consolidating its presence in Mexico and Latin America as an important advocate of electrical safety to establish the “international” level in this important effort. Established jointly by NEMA Mexico, CANAME (National Chamber of Electrical Manufacturers) and ANCE (Association of Electrical Standards and Certification), ESFI Mexico has been a forum where prominent experts of the electrical industry in Mexico can discuss strategies and prepare different materials related to electrical safety. This year, ESFI Mexico will be working on an action plan to expand the electrical safety message to more Spanish speakers around the world, using the following strategies: • ESFI Mexico Committee Website In order to encourage the electrical safety message to more audiences, the committee has developed a website in Spanish based on the ESFI website. It was launched in December and includes technical materials, news, and information, with the goal of reaching many audiences, especially younger generations. During 2010, activities will focus on the consolidation and promotion of this site. See www. seguridadelectricamexico.com. • Electrical Safety Video As part of a 2009 initiative, the ESFI Mexico Committee created a short video that encourages electrical safety and discourages the use of counterfeit electrical products. The video will be used as a training tool for electrical product distributors, and will be presented during the most important electrical events in Mexico in 2010. • Development of a Marketing Plan ESFI Mexico is marketing its electrical safety message by identifying audiences, strategies, and activities directed to each audience. The committee is also exploring the use of social media, such as Twitter. • Expanding ESFI ESFI Mexico reported on the work done by NEMA Mexico in Central America during the last three years at the CANENA Annual General Meeting held in Costa Rica in March. It is focusing on the creation of mirror ESFI committees in the Central America region. Some countries, like Colombia and Costa Rica, have shown interest in this initiative, and ESFI Mexico will explore the possibility of creating a committee in the region. ei Ricardo Vazquez, ESFI Mexico Committee Technical Secretary | r_vquez@prodigy.net.mx

NEMA electroindustry

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May 2010

NEMA’s electroindustry May 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEMA’s electroindustry May 2010