Standardization in the fields of electrical engineering, electronics and information technology fulfills a key function in our high-tech society - for manufacturers as well as users. The globalization of markets, the accelerating pace of innovation cycles, the great demand for product safety, quality and compatibility - all of these needs can be met only by ensuring widespread standardization.

The DKE is the national organization responsible for the creation and maintenance of standards and safety specifications covering the areas of electrical engineering, electronics and information technology in Germany.

The DKE is a joint organization of DIN (German Institute for Standardization) and the VDE. The VDE is responsible for the daily operations of the DKE.

Some 3,500 experts work in all sectors of electrotechnical standardization to create the best standards in Germany and abroad. The DKE is the German member body of the international and regional electrotechnical standardization organizations:IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva) and CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization, Brussels). As a national standardization organization (NSO), the DKE cooperates with the ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute, Sophia Antipolis).

What are the objectives of the DKE?

• Increase the overall safety of electrotechnical products and installations, and their related services
• Promote system compatibility of products and installations in networked systems and applications
• Accelerate the diffusion of new technologies on the market by supporting information processes
• Bring together the knowledge and interests of all associated parties to build consensus on controversial technical issues
• Represent German interests in the development of international and European standards, in order to eliminate obstacles to trade and to open markets worldwide
• Maintain a high level of technical rules in a consistent portfolio of standards oriented toward market and consumer requirements.

DKE facts and figures:

• 4,500 experts work as honorary members in committees, sub-committes and working groups
• 100 full-time staff members provide support for the technical work and ensure effective implementation of the results
• Only about 5% of the DKE's work involves exclusively national standardization work. The vast majority of the work is for European standards in the EU, and 80% of these standards are, in turn, based on or identical to the international standards of the IEC.
• 190 DKE members participate in the technical committees of the IEC to advocate German interests. 650 DKE members contribute technical expertise to IEC working groups.
• 400 DKE members represent German interests in CENELEC.

And our basic messages?

Cooperation in standardization is a strategic business objective that offers substantial competitive advantages. For one: if you can incorporate your own expertise and ideas into a process, you can affect future developments. In short: You help share the future from the very start. In addition, standardization ensures product and system compatibility. By influencing compatibility requirements at an early stage, you help safeguard future competitiveness. Standards and conformity also eliminate barriers to trade. By incorporating your own standardization interests, you can remain competitive in Europe and in the global marketplace. Standardization also necessitates greater interdisciplinary and international cooperation in networks, and this, in turn, contributes to innovation transfers. All in all, we have seen that developing, sharing and applying standardization helps accelerate and possibly inspire innovation. Thus standardization must be integrated into strategic business objectives.