CENELEC, the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization, and VDE DKE, the German National Electrotechnical Committee, are happy to congratulate Mr Wolfgang Niedziella for his election as the next President of CENELEC (2022-24).

In a time rich of challenges and opportunities, this nomination ensures that in the years to come CENELEC will continue to work to ensure a modern, efficient standardization system for the benefit of European business and society. 

Mr Niedziella’s mandate as President-Elect is officially due to start on 1 January 2021. During this time, he will work side by side with the current CENELEC President, Dany Sturtewagen, and the whole CENELEC team, before the official handover in January 2022. This process is foreseen to ensure continuity in the transition.

Working for several years in a variety of managing positions for VDE, the German Association for Electrical Electronic & Information Technologies, Wolfgang Niedziella has matured an extensive experience in electrotechnical standardization and conformity assessment, at both the European and international level, with a particular focus on digitalisation and cybersecurity. He has been Head of Digital Safety Centre of Competence at VDE since its establishment in 2019 and Chair of IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components (IECEE) since 2016. Before that, he was the Chair of IECEE/CTL (IECEE Committee of Testing Laboratories) from 2010 to 2015.

Mr Niedziella’s expertise makes digitalisation one of the priorities at the core of his mandate, through the development of new standards, but also through the digitisation of standardization processes. Other priorities Mr. Niedziella informed the CENELEC community he will pursue are reaffirming the core principles of standardization, such as the voluntary use and consensus-based development of standards, maintaining the international character of electrotechnical standardization and strengthening the collaboration with the European Commission and EFTA, for the benefit of the Single Market.

Following his election, Mr Niedziella commented: “Today, electrical and electronic products represent the largest category of goods traded worldwide. According to UN statistics, they represent about 20% of the value generated in global trade. Most of this trade is relying on European Standards derived from CENELEC Members’ strong commitment and contribution to the international standardization activities of IEC. The advent of one global market for electrical and electronic products shows the immense economic benefits of standards and the fundamental role played by CENELEC”.

• Read the interview with Wolfgang Niedziella on cybsersecurity standardization (video)

CENELEC

CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) is recognised by the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as one of the European Standardization Organizations responsible for developing standards at European level. These standards set out specifications and procedures in relation to a wide range of materials, processes, products and services.

The members of CENELEC are the National Electrotechnical Committees of 34 European countries. European Standards (ENs) and other standardization deliverables adopted by CENELEC, are accepted and recognised in all of these countries.

European Standards (ENs) contribute to enhancing safety, improving quality, facilitating cross-border trade and strengthening the European Single Market. They are developed through a process of collaboration among experts nominated by business and industry, research institutes, consumer and environmental organizations, trade unions and other stakeholders. CENELEC works to promote the international alignment of standards in the framework of technical cooperation agreements with the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission).

CENELEC website: www.cenelec.eu

CEN-CENELEC website: www.cencenelec.eu

Media contact:

Giovanni Collot

Project Manager Governance & Partnerships

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre

VDE DKE

The DKE German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies of DIN and VDE as a joint organization of VDE and DIN (VDE DKE) is the national platform for about 9000 experts from industry, science and public administration to elaborate standards and safety specifications for electrical engineering, electronics and information technology. Standards support global trade and, among other things, the safety, interoperability and functionality of products and systems. As a competence centre for electrotechnical standardization, the DKE represents the interests of German industry in European (CENELEC, ETSI) and international standardization organizations (IEC). In addition, the DKE provides comprehensive services in the field of standardization and VDE specifications. More information available at www.dke.de

Media contact:

Melanie Unseld

Spokesperson, Brand Marketing and Communication

VDE

T: +49 69 6308 461

Email: melanie.unseld@vde.com

Twitter: @VDE_Group