What is NEC Rwanda

A National Electrotechnical Committee (NEC) is a committee of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) at national level which brings together representatives with decision-making responsibilities from all stakeholders to consider the adoption of IEC International Standards related to the electrotechnical fields of interest within its country and consider adopting them as national standards or for use as reference in national laws or regulations.

Having such committee enables stakeholders contribute to the selection and adoption of the right IEC international standards for the national market. The ideal NEC should be fully representative of all of the country’s interests in the field of electrotechnical standardization and conformity assessment.

An NEC provides also a central point for local industrial to be involved in electrotechnical standardization on a global platform and it is therefore a valuable tool for ensuring that the WTO/TBT Agreements is correctly implemented.

Stakeholders may be high-level representatives from any of the following areas:

• Power generation and distribution authorities;

• Government departments concerned with electrical and electronics applications;

• The national standards body;

• Manufacturers of electrotechnical products;

• Testing laboratories;

• Consumer associations;

• Relevant professional and teaching institutions;

• Research and development establishments.

The scope of NEC is to:

• Consider and recommend Standards suitable for application in Rwanda for Electrotechnology;

• Carry out awareness for use of standards and IEC Conformity Assessment Systems in the field of electro technology;

• Carry out public lectures and workshops on Standardization and Conformity Assessment in the field of electro technology to higher learning education in Rwanda.

• Participate in IEC and AFSEC meeting and events; and

• Provide expertise and comments on CD-CDV IEC and AFSEC Draft Standards within the TCs where NEC is member.

MEMBERSHIP

• The NEC will consist of a President and a balanced matrix of members consisting of members drawn in line with the guidelines given by the IEC. The Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) handles the Secretariat of the Committee

• The President and members of NEC will be appointed by Director General of RSB taking into account any recommendations from relevant sources

• Members will be nominated or appointed from amongst persons representing or having an interest in those fields within the mandate of the NEC as set out below in these Terms of Reference, with due consideration for the need for a balanced interest group distribution to ensure that no single interest benefits from a dominant position

• In case where a member has a change of job status (e.g. moving or rotating), RSB will determine whether the individual can and should continue to represent the sector for which the individual was last appointed. The RSB will seek the guidance of the Secretary of the NEC who will be guided by the membership matrix

• Members will be appointed for a term of three years and may be reappointed. In the event that a member has been absent without justifiable cause from two consecutive meetings, other members may recommend to the RSB that the member be removed from the committee.

• The Secretary will consult with the concerned member and the President of the committee before taking appropriate action

• The President of the NEC will be appointed for a term of three years and may be reappointed. The President will chair the meetings of the NEC and perform other duties as required to ensure the proper functioning of the NEC and timely implementation of any applicable rules and procedures.

• The list of proposed sectors to be presented in NEC is attached to this Terms of Reference.

MANDATE

Rwanda National Committee of the IEC is guided and supported by RSB policy to encourage adoption of IEC standards as the basis for national standards whenever Rwandan practices and conditions permit.

 RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advise and make recommendations to RSB on selection and adoption of the right IEC International Standards for the national market.

• Provide Rwandan participation and position at the IEC policy and management levels

• Guide the Rwandan TCs through the Standards Unit to ensure the effective participation of all Rwandan interests in the work of the IEC

• Provide oversight of the IEC TC Secretariat assigned to this area.

The NEC has the following duties, according to its mandate:

• Coordinate and represent Rwanda’s interests in IEC work at all levels;

• Report to Director General on oversight and guidance that the NEC has provided to the Standards Unit;

• Assess and provide feedback on the effectiveness of the NEC work program in meeting the needs of the electrotechnical sectors;

• Coordinate electrotechnical sector activities and establish and maintain continuing liaisons as appropriate;

• Consider for approval, recommendations for submission of Rwandan proposal for initiation of new work item;

• Establish Rwandan positions on IEC proposals for preparation of standards in existing fields of technical activities;

• Approve proposals for hosting of IEC technical meetings in Rwanda;

• Encouraging the promotion and the use of those Standards and publications coming within its terms of reference and make recommendations to RSB concerning such promotional activities;

• Approve status change of Rwandan participation in IEC/TC work;

• Provide Rwandan position to be taken at meetings of the IEC Affiliate forum and provide information to any other Rwandan on other IEC committee (non-technical, e.g. Advisory Committee on Safety, Conformity Assessment Board, IECEE (IEC System for Conformity testing and Certification of Electrical Equipment), Marketing, Finance, Sector Board;

• Participate in IEC general meeting and other meeting in line of IEC Affiliate Country Programme.

1. National NEC contact person

RSB has designated the NEC contact person to ensure communication with International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and African Electrotechnical Standardization Commission (AFSEC) and coordinate NEC activities at national level.

The national NEC contact point is reachable at:

E-mail : patrick.nzabamwita@rsb.gov.rw 

Phone : +250788256810

2. NEC Composition 

1. President:

Mr. Olivier Mukeshimana

Manager, Stand-alone Off-grid Solutions

Rwanda Energy Group, EDCL

Kigali, Rwanda

2. Vice President:

Dr. Emmanuel Ndashimye

Lecturer, Carnegie Mellon University-Africa

Kigali, Rwanda

3. Secretary:

Mr. NZABAMWITA Patrick

Conformity Assessment IT Specialist

Rwanda Standards Board (RSB)

Kigali, Rwanda.

3. National Electrotechnical Committee (NEC) Members

The table below shows the list of 24 members nominated by their institutions to represent Rwanda in National Electrotechnical Committee (NEC):

4. Ongoing work at national level

The work-Programme of RSB/TCs on Electrical Engineering can be accessed here: https://www.rsb.gov.rw/root/publications/nsd-work-programme