IEC welcomes KATS as first funding partner for Global Impact Fund

IEC's Global Impact Fund (IEC-GIF) took a step further in advancing the vision of a safer, more efficient world today with the signing of its first funding partnership with the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS).

Under the agreement, KATS, which hosts the IEC National Committee for Korea, will contribute CHF 200 000 per year until 2025, and potentially longer, should the initiative continue beyond its current pilot phase.

The IEC-GIF leverages the transformational power of standardization in addressing contemporary social, economic and environmental challenges. This initiative underscores the importance of technology and quality infrastructure in positively impacting society. It is designed to link and integrate the global standardization and conformity assessment framework with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the development finance architecture.

The first IEC-GIF project, Catalyzing innovation for circular models in Africa - turning battery e-waste into e-resources, focuses on promoting sustainable battery e-waste management in Africa.

Under the project, Differ Community Power (DCP), an international provider of solar energy services to communities, is determining the feasibility of using second life lithium batteries to rehabilitate solar photovoltaic (PV) installations at critical locations such as schools, health centres and hospitals in Kenya. If the approach is proven viable, it is expected to extend to other existing solar PV installations across sub-Saharan Africa, thus improving lives through enabling reliable, clean sources of electricity.

The project will also be used as an opportunity to train local subcontractors on wiring regulations and commissioning procedures aligned to international standards. Real-time remote monitoring of performance and environmental factors will inform the technical and economic feasibility analyses.

Philippe Metzger, Secretary-General and CEO of the IEC, said: We are honoured to accept this generous contribution to the IEC Global Impact Fund from KATS. Thanks to this funding, more people will be able to directly benefit from global best practices contained in IEC Standards and Conformity Assessment, including greater access to reliable, clean electricity.

KATS Administrator Mr Chongwook Chin said: The Global Impact Fund provides a valuable opportunity to enable effective, safe and efficient solutions to address important challenges such as e-waste, electricity access, climate change. KATS is pleased to be contributing to this project that will make a tangible difference and contribute to many of the UN SDGs.

About the IEC The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is a global, not-for-profit membership organization that brings together close to 170 countries and coordinates the work of 30 000 experts globally. IEC International Standards and conformity assessment work underpins international trade in electrical and electronic goods. It facilitates electricity access and verifies the safety, performance and interoperability of electric and electronic devices and systems, including for example, consumer devices such as mobile phones or refrigerators, office and medical equipment, information technology, electricity generation, and much more.

Conformity assessment refers to any activity that determines whether a product, system, service and sometimes people fulfil the requirements and characteristics described in a standard or specification. Such requirements can include performance, safety, efficiency, effectiveness, reliability, durability or environmental impacts such as pollution or noise. Verification is generally done through testing and/or inspection.

About KATS KATS (Korean Agency for Technology and Standards) is a government agency which has been leading national and international standards in the Republic of Korea. KATS has served as an agency that manages all regulatory policies regarding national standards, product safety, testing and certification, and technical regulatory frameworks for over 130 years.

KATS assumes responsibility for shaping Korea's national standardization policy and acts as the country's representative entity for the IEC and ISO. KATS undertakes to harmonize Korean national standards with international standards and endorse international mutual recognition agreements in the fields of standardization and conformity assessment and legal metrology.

About the IEC Global Impact Fund

The IEC Global Impact Fund advances the IEC vision for a safer and more efficient world by supporting projects that address many of today's social, economic and environmental challenges, including through the use of IEC International Standards and IEC Conformity Assessment Systems.

Through its partnership model, the Fund will help drive the need for a coordinated, consensus-driven approach to electrification while avoiding the fragmentation that perpetuates barriers to the green energy transition.

It is initially supported through a three-year annual contribution of 1% of the IEC Capital & Reserves over the 2023-2025 pilot phase. This seed funding is building a global partnership aligned with the IEC values and mission.

For questions and further information please contact:

Matthew Doherty

IEC Global Impact Fund Senior Advisor and Officer

Email: globalimpactfund@iec.ch

LINK:	https://www.iec.ch/blog/iec-welcomes-kats-first-funding-partner-global...
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