That was electrotechnical standardization 2025

Standardization requires explanation. Whether you are interested in standardization, are just getting started, or simply aim to refresh your knowledge, the learning opportunities at DKE offer accessible options for different types of learners.

The DKE offers a wide range of free and publicly available training courses in order to convey knowledge about the rules, organizations, and tools involved in the work of standardization. In doing so, it fulfills its public mandate and familiarizes interested parties with the work of national and international standardization committees.

Industry 4.0 stands for maximum efficiency – and for the fact that increasing connectivity makes systems more vulnerable to external attacks. Although the number of published security advisories has risen exponentially in recent years, they still have to be processed manually.  This growing demand for resources can be minimized by the new CSAF automation standard.  It makes security advisories machine-readable, which translates into enormous added value for companies. 

CERT@VDE is at the cutting edge here, developing the tool and providing support to partners using it when it comes to implementation.

When machines communicate with each other, a uniform data format is essential for the smooth exchange of data. This also applies to the digital content of standards, which needs to be read and interpreted by machines and applications. ReqIF is such an open, tool-neutral, and proven format for exchanging requirements between different tools and organizations without loss of data.

Since spring, there has been a freely available standard that defines the requirements for this data format. This enables companies to make their applications SMART Standards Ready – an important step on the road to digitalization.

commented Florian Spiteller, member of the DKE Executive Board, at the official opening of the DKE office in Nanjing. “Our presence in Nanjing sends a clear message that dialogue and cooperation in standardization are more important than ever.” 

With the opening of its new office, DKE has taken a significant step toward strengthening international cooperation in the field of electrical engineering standardization. This milestone reflects DKE’s commitment to global cooperation and its conviction that harmonized standards are essential for sustainable and pioneering innovation.

Every two years, functional safety experts meet during the “Erfurt Days”. 

This year’s popular conference focused on information and exchange with regard to the upcoming third edition of IEC 61508 as the basic safety standard for functional safety, as well as the update of IEC 61511. In addition, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the topic of cybersecurity in the context of functional safety, as well as new trends in software development, the development of new applications for functional safety, and the evaluation of mechanical devices were presented and discussed. 

Even though there is supply and demand for used electric vehicles, it is currently difficult to compare the condition of the traction batteries – the most valuable component of the vehicle – in the vehicles under consideration. Although there are various ways of assessing battery condition, there is still no standard that determines the condition of the traction battery in a uniformly comparable manner.

A group of experts is now working on standardized requirements for the determination procedures. After all, comparable information on the state of health (SoH) would provide an important building block for the future of electromobility. 

The 30th Next Generation DKE anniversary get-together featured an interactive workshop on design thinking, a creative method for solving problems and developing new ideas. Design thinking is used to satisfy customer requirements while also taking economic aspects into consideration. The focus is on people, and the aim is to understand the needs of users.

This process involves several steps, including collecting ideas, creating prototypes, and testing solutions in order to find the best option in each case.

The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) is a groundbreaking development in the field of cybersecurity regulation in Europe and, for the first time, prescribes binding cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements. The CRA affects all companies that manufacture, import, or distribute networked hardware or software in the EU.

In addition to product requirements, the CRA also specifies requirements for secure product development and vulnerability management and requires security updates and a software bill of materials. Standards play an important role in its design and implementation in order to remain internationally compatible and conserve resources. 

In addition to financial support, the DIN-Connect funding program from DIN and DKE also offers organizational support for innovative products and processes that are intended to result in a binding standard. The free VDE SPEC, which is produced at the end of the funding project, is often the first step on the way to a national or international standard.

After completing two projects on the topic of food waste as part of DIN-Connect, Prof. Dr. Astrid Christina Klingshirn and Prof. Dr. Benjamin Eilts from the Faculty of Life Sciences at Albstadt-Sigmaringen University reported on their experiences and the benefits of the program in our interview.

The IEC General Meeting in New Delhi in 2025 was held under the motto “Fostering a Sustainable World,” and accordingly, the ideas and discussions revolved around transformation, digitalization, and global cooperation. The focus was placed on standardization as the key to energy efficiency, renewable energies, safety, and trust in technologies.

The DKE was represented by a large delegation at numerous meetings and events, particularly the central topics of All-Electric & Connected Society, E-Mobility, and SMART Standards. Once again this year, Germany provided the most experts in international standardization worldwide – which demonstrates the enormous commitment of our community and will be particularly satisfying when, in 2026, we exclaim: “Welcome to the 90th IEC General Meeting in Hamburg, Germany!”

The product standard defines technical requirements for plug-in solar devices as a complete system for the first time. Consensus was also reached on the key points of discussion. In addition to increasing the power limit, the product standard now includes previously prohibited connection options for which several protective measures have been defined. Accordingly, plug-in solar devices can now also be connected to a conventional household socket via a protective contact plug. This has made it possible to reconcile safety and protection with consumer interests.

Numerous countries around the world were eagerly awaiting the publication of this standard, as it will most likely serve as the basis for the preparation of an international standard.

We work together. Sometimes in small working groups and sometimes in large, long-established committees, in workshops or departments. Electrical engineering standardization connects us, and the desire to contribute to a safe electrical engineering world is what drives us on. Thank you for not giving up when it comes to finding consensus on controversial issues. Thank you for remaining curious when it comes to creating something new. And thank you for never tiring of regularly putting even the most tried-and-tested things to the test. Whether it’s a global view of the big picture or a specific focus on details, we need each and every one of you with all your different perspectives.

Thank you for the colorful collaboration and, above all, thank you for your passion for standardization!