EFC: The Voice of Standards and Code Development

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Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) plays a vital role in shaping the regulatory and technical landscape of Canada’s electrical and automation sectors. Through active participation on key strategic and technical committees, EFC represents the collective interests of its members and ensures that the development of standards and codes is informed by industry expertise, innovation, and market needs. At the core of this mission are EFC’s Business Sections, collaborative platforms that empower member companies to shape the standards and policies that impact their markets and products.  

Why Standards Matter: Economic, Trade, and Innovation Benefits  

Participation in codes and standards work is not only about compliance; it has broad economic implications. According to a 2019 ISO/IEC study, up to 28% of productivity growth in advanced economies is attributed to standardization. Key benefits include:  

  • Streamlined design, manufacturing, testing, and installation  
  • Reduced duplication and increased interoperability  
  • Simpler training and procurement  
  • Lower costs and higher trade readiness  

Standards enable inter-provincial alignment, reduce technical barriers to trade, and are essential to meeting the goals of a unified Canadian economy.  

Strategic Leadership in Standards Development 

EFC’s Director of Standards and Government Affairs currently participates on six major strategic committees that influence national and international standards: 

  • CE Code – Facilitating the work of 10 EFC voting and associate members on behalf of EFC members and our electrical and automation industry.  
  • CANENA Executive Committee – Responsible for strategic guidance for North American harmonization of standards.  
  • CANC/IEC – Canadian National Committee of the International Electrotechnical Commission is run by the Standards Council of Canada. This committee is responsible for Identify priorities and emerging issues in the electrotechnical sector. Along with updates on international standards impacting the electrical and automation industry. 
  • CACES – Canadian Advisory Council for Electrical Safety (Committee of the Whole). Brings together all Electrical Safety Authorities from across the country.  
  • SCOPEER – Strategic Steering Committee on Performance, Energy Efficiency, and Renewables. Includes participation of federal regulators, Electrical Safety Authorities and model and building code participants.   
  • SCORES – Strategic Steering Committee for the Requirements for Electrical Safety. This committee is responsible for Providing guidance to the TCs on safety and horizontal issues, while facilitate coordination between technical requirements in CE Code Part I & product standards under provisions of Part II 

These leadership roles allow EFC to contribute to high-level decision-making on standards harmonization, safety requirements, energy performance, and global technical alignment. 

EFC Staff, Technical Engagement 

To support growing member needs, EFC has recently posted a new Senior Manager for Standards & Business Sections role. This role will expand EFC’s participation across a broader range of technical committees, including: 

  • SCOPE – Strategic Committee on Power Engineering and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) 
  • Technical Committee 577 – Electromagnetic Compatibility 
  • Technical Committee for Wiring Products (TCWP) 
  • Technical Committee for Industrial Products (TCIP) 
  • Technical Committee for General Requirements (TCGR) 
  • Technical Committee for Industrial Equipment 
  • Technical Committee for Performance of Lighting 

These committees are responsible for reviewing and approving existing standards, determining whether revisions are necessary, and voting on changes that have completed the public review process. While EFC staff do not participate at the Technical Subcommittee level, EFC member companies play a critical role by assigning technical experts to these specialized working groups, where detailed content is developed and rigorously debated. 

Guiding EFC’s Strategic Investment in Standards 

EFC has established a Standards Strategy Task Group, composed of Codes and Standards industry experts. This group has been tasked with evaluating EFC’s role in standards development and defining clear objectives, deliverables, and success metrics. Their guidance ensures that EFC’s investment of staff resources remains focused, efficient, and aligned with the priorities and prosperity of our members.  

The Canadian Electrical Code (CE Code) remains one of the most impactful documents governing the industry. EFC has 10 voting and associate members who are official representatives of EFC on the CE Code. EFC Representatives participate in a dedicated CE Code Task Group, and meet monthly to review ballots, discuss proposed changes, and determine consensus positions that reflect a unified industry voice.  

Voting Members  

  • Dipenkumar Patel – Leviton  
  • Guy LaChance – Schneider Electric  
  • Guy Benjamin – ABB  
  • Vladimir Gagachev – Eaton  
  • John Johnson – Electro-Cables  
  • Todd Hamden – Hubbell  
  • Mike Smith – Independent  

Associate Members  

  • Jag Singh – Domtech  
  • Les Heidrich – Hubbell  
  • Sandy Rasaratnam – Schneider Electric  

EFC’s Representatives provide critical input into the CE Code Part I development process and play a key role in identifying both threats and opportunities across product categories. A new nomination process now guides the appointment of representatives and sets expectations for engagement, including regular attendance and contribution toward consensus-building.  

Staying Informed: EFC’s Communication and Consultation Process  

EFC staff act as a conduit between members and the wider standards community. Through our Business Sections, we:  

  • Distribute public reviews of emerging codes and standards  
  • Gather and coordinate industry feedback to form consensus positions  
  • Alert members to technical subcommittee opportunities  
  • Provide briefings on IEC and global initiatives such as the Digital Product Passport (DPP) – a proposed global system for product lifecycle labelling and tracking.   

This process ensures members are informed, engaged, and prepared for upcoming changes that may affect compliance, innovation, and competitiveness.  

EFC’s role in standards and code development is grounded in collaboration, technical leadership, and a commitment to advancing Canada’s electrical and automation sectors. By participating in strategic and technical committees, facilitating industry consensus, and connecting members with regulatory developments, EFC ensures that the voice of our industry is heard where it matters most. 

As the regulatory landscape evolves, so too must our collective efforts to shape it. We encourage all members to actively participate in EFC’s Business Sections and contribute to the codes and standards work that safeguards innovation, drives competitiveness, and strengthens our national and global position. Together, we build a safer, smarter, and more sustainable electrical future.