Why Is Trust so Important Today?

We live in a world that is undergoing change at all levels. For one, we see upheavals in the international sphere and a shift in the political climate. When I studied political science some ten or fifteen years ago, the prevailing assumption was that increasing globalization would ultimately bring the world closer together and make it more peaceful overall. Unfortunately, the situation has changed in just a short period, a development that hardly anyone could have imagined at the time.

Additionally, we are seeing radical changes at incredible speed when it comes to technological developments. Sometimes it even feels like digitalization and artificial intelligence are veritably driving us forward. This is accompanied by rapid product-development cycles and highly dynamic markets that foster the emergence of new players and new economic parameters.

In Search of Reliability and Credibility

The fact is that we perceive all these upheavals while finding it difficult to assess their overall impact. A feeling of uncertainty has taken hold, and the need for reliability and credibility is becoming increasingly important. How can I judge the safety of a product in the absence of evidence? How can I know if a photo is genuine when AI can create deceptively authentic realities? And how can I distinguish between news and fake news amid the plethora of data?

These and many other questions concern each and every one of us on a daily basis. That is why, more than ever, we need institutions that stand for stability and reliability – one of them being international electrotechnical standardization.

IEC General Meeting 2026

The DKE is honored to host the annual event for international electrotechnical standardization. Under the title “Global Development. Driven by Standards.”, around 3,500 guests are expected in Hamburg in November 2026.

We are not the first generation to experience radical change. The advent of electrification by the end of the nineteenth century was the start of a radical transformation that impacted all areas of society. The new technology required a secure framework to gain widespread acceptance.

This was when electrotechnical standardization emerged with the aim of preventing accidents involving electricity, ensuring safe use and facilitating change. 130 years later, electrotechnical standardization is an important institution with an international presence. This constitutes a solid basis for keeping step with the current upheavals, at least in the technological realm, and bringing us securely into the future.

Providing Orientation

Standardization creates trust by providing orientation. It gives guidance to manufacturers by establishing uniform specifications for the technical safety of products – ranging from control cabinets in automation to AI-controlled robots in children’s rooms – while also offering guidance in the sphere of international trade, as standardized specifications for voltage, current, or protection class facilitate the exchange of goods across national borders.

Finally, standardization provides guidance for consumers. Information on technical data, whose origin is credible thanks to uniform calculation methods, helps to make products assessable and comparable and thus affords a reliable basis for purchasing decisions.

Preserving Participation and Reliability

To ensure that standards provide orientation, their developmental process is based on the participation principle. Experts from diverse spheres are involved in the drafting of each standard and every one of its updates. There is an exchange between industry, research, academia and other stakeholders. Discussions and negotiations take place, and it is precisely this striving to find common ground which enables the definition of rules that are binding for all.

Hence, participation also forms the basis of reliability, for the jointly developed technical requirements – such as those relating to protective measures, testing procedures or material quality – are translated into safe, functional and reliable products. This is achieved through international standardization worldwide and across the entire supply chain.

Importance of standardization: benefits and advantages

Standards are of considerable benefit - this is true at national, European and international level. For consumers and users as well as for industry, science and the state. Standards and specifications ensure safety and pave the way for innovative technologies.

When we regard the current situation from this perspective it is clear that we have a solid foundation for mastering future challenges. But we must not be complacent – we must forge ahead and look to see where action is required.

Incorporating Diversity

To maintain trust as an institution accompany ongoing transformations, we must enhance participation, even as this becomes increasingly challenging.For instance, the inclusion of consumer perspectives, in some cases, is politically desirable and can generate valuable insights for product development and market acceptance. Nevertheless, it is necessary to examine how individuals without technical expertise can meaningfully participate in standardization processes.

Moreover, some standards today require highly specialized technical know-how, which is why the pool of needed experts is increasing. It is only through diversity and the integration of multiple perspectives that standards can emerge which find acceptance from all sides. Yet there is presently a shortage of competent professionals – spanning research, industry and the skilled trades – a state of affairs that is hardly conducive to voluntary participation in standardization activities.

Communicate Clearly and Make Added Value Understandable

In order to facilitate participation and attract people to standardization in this challenging environment, we must clearly communicate the added value and explain it in a comprehensible way. In doing so, we must focus on addressing those individuals who do not deal with standardization on a daily basis.

At first glance, for small and medium-sized businesses or craft enterprises, it may seem almost unimaginable to invest in sending an employee to participate in standardization. But if the result of such participation, for example, is easier market access for a new product or greater ease of application in everyday installation work, then the investment will have proven worthwhile – not only for society but for one’s own business as well.

There are so many other challenges ahead of us, which will certainly be discussed in November at the IEC General Meeting. But I think that we have much reason to be confident. Standardization is intrinsically future-oriented and concerns itself with how technologies can be designed in a normative way to realize their full potential.

Standardizers as Experts in Change

That’s why we standardizers have the perfect skill set for periods of change. We are solution-oriented and remain seated at the big round table until a concept is found that best serves all interests. We can listen, we can negotiate, we work in a structured yet flexible manner.

I believe this equips us well for the future. Let us be confident and proud of what we achieve. Let us show appreciation for those already on board and be ready for those who will join us in the future. In doing so, we will have created the basis for a trusting collaboration and trustworthy standards.

Henrike Gördes, Head of Governance

Editorial note:

The original English-language article appeared on https://www.gm2026.iec.ch/.

Basics of standardization: explained briefly and clearly

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