CISPR, established in 1935, is an international special committee on radio interference within the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It promotes international agreement on the aspects of radio interference and thereby facilitates international trade. The principal task of CISPR is the preparation of standards in the frequency range from 9 kHz to 400 GHz that ensure protection of radio reception from a variety of interference sources. This committee and subcommittees meet on an annual basis; the last series of meetings were held from October 20 – 29, 2008 in Osaka, Japan. This article briefly introduces the CISPR organization and summarizes the primary and current activities of the various subcommittees.

Organization of CISPR
The structure of CISPR consists of the Plenary, the Steering Committee (also known as CISPR/S) and the various subcommittees, as shown in Figure 1. Per the IEC web page (https://www.iec.ch/zone/emc/emc_cis.htm), some of the main tasks of CISPR are:
1) Protection of radio reception from various interference sources, such as electrical appliances of all types, ignition systems, electricity supply systems (including electric transport systems), industrial, scientific and medical (ISM), RF devices (excluding radiation from transmitters intended for conveying information), sound and television broadcasting receivers and information technology equipment.
2) Definition of test equipment specifications and methods for the measurement of interference.
3) Determination of emission limits for interference caused by the sources listed in Item 1.
4) Development of requirements for the immunity of sound and television broadcast receiving installations from interference and (in liaison with the IEC Technical Committees) the definitions of related immunity test methods.

CISPR is composed of the following bodies:
1) Each National Committee (NC) of the IEC and the following International Organizations:
2) CIGRE (International Council on Large Electric Systems)
3) EBU (European Broadcasting Union)
4) ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute)
5) IARU (International Amateur Radio Union)
6) ITU-R (International Telecommunications Union - Radio-communications Sector)

Figure 1: CISPR organization

The various subcommittees of CISPR consist of two or more working groups (WGs) which are responsible for parts of the overall tasks assigned to the parent subcommittee. The subcommittees are responsible for the following main tasks:

1) CISPR/A: Responsible for radio-interference measurements and statistical methods. As such, CISPR statements and publications for measuring instruments and ancillary equipment and methods common to various applications, are to be prepared and revised. Furthermore, the sampling methods used in the statistical interpretation of emission measurement results are to be investigated, and the measurement of interference is to be correlated with its effect on signal reception.

2) CISPR/B: Responsible for interference relating to: industrial, scientific and medical radio-frequency apparatus, other (heavy) industrial equipment, overhead power lines, high voltage equipment and electric traction. The main task consists of the preparation and revision of CISPR statements and publications on emission limits and particular methods of measurement, concerning interference from:

a) ISM equipment (i.e., equipment for non-communication industrial, scientific, medical, household or similar applications in which radio-frequency energy is intentionally generated or used in order to treat materials),

b) high-power semiconductor control devices.

3) CISPR/D: Responsible for electromagnetic disturbances related to electric/electronic equipment on vehicles and internal combustion engine powered devices. Other tasks include the preparation and revision of CISPR statements and publications on limits and particular methods of measurement concerning interference from the ignition systems, as well as from other components of the electrical system of motor vehicles. In addition, other equipment fitted with internal combustion engines, including interference with radio reception in a vehicle arising from devices within the vehicle itself.

4) CISPR/F: Responsible for interference relating to household appliances, lighting equipment and similar devices. This subcommittee focuses on the preparation and revision of CISPR statements and publications on limits and particular methods of measurement concerning interference from electric motor operated and thermal appliances for household and similar purposes. These devices include: electrical tools, lighting equipment, contact devices, low power semiconductor control devices and the like. Furthermore, the subcommittee is tasked to liaise with other IEC committees on activities related to immunity characteristics of equipment referred to above, for the frequency range 9 kHz to 400 GHz.

5) CISPR/H: Responsible for the development of generic emission limits for the protection of radio services. In addition, the rationale for the setting of emission limits for the protection of radio services is to be developed with particular attention to the interests of the product-oriented subcommittees. Another related activity is the implementation of a survey of EMC product standards on emissions.

6) CISPR/I: Responsible for the electromagnetic compatibility of information technology equipment, multimedia equipment and receivers. As such, this subcommittee is tasked with the preparation and revision of CISPR statements and publications on limits and particular methods of measurement concerning interference from and immunity of receivers, information technology and multimedia equipment. In addition, guidance for the establishment of limits and methods of measurement is to be provided.

7) CISPR/S: The responsibilities of the steering committee are:
a) To approve the CISPR strategic policy statement.
ii) To assist and advise the Chairman of CISPR in the conduct of the affairs of the committee.
b) To monitor all CISPR work in progress.
c) To give guidance and assistance to those carrying out the work of CISPR.
d) To consider progress reports from subcommittees, and from working groups which report directly to the steering committee.
e) To advise the Chairman of CISPR as to the arrangements to be made for meetings of the committee.
f) To refer new objects of study to a subcommittee when the terms of reference do not directly apply.
g) To set up working groups reporting to the steering committee.

The steering committee has the following membership:
a) the Chairman of CISPR;
b) the Vice-Chairman of CISPR;
c) the Chairmen of all CISPR subcommittees;
d) the immediate past Chairman of CISPR;
e) the Chief Executive Officer of the IEC;
f) the Secretariat of the CISPR;
g) additional members as co-opted by the Chairman of CISPR;
h) a representative of each of the Member Bodies of CISPR other than the National Committees of the IEC;
i) observers from CCIR (Consultative Committee on International Radio) and from ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization);
j) the conveners of those working groups which report directly to the steering committee (when required).

Current EMC Standardization Activities
Each of the six subcommittees maintains a list of currently active projects. These lists are called “Program of Work”. In addition, many study projects are being worked on but these have not yet reached the status of an “officially initiated” project which would put them on the program of work. This part of the article will summarize the main activities of the various subcommittees, based on published unconfirmed minutes of the meetings held in Osaka, Japan. The description of the various project stages (e.g. NP, CD, CDV, etc.) can be found in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1; this document is available on the IEC web page at: https://www.iec.ch/tiss/directives.htm. For further information regarding specifics of a project, please contact the national mirror committee or the technical advisory group to the responsible subcommittee in your country. The project stages documented below are those that were current at the time this article was submitted.
It is to be noted that subcommittee CISPR/D did not hold a meeting in Japan last October. Therefore, no report on the current activities will be included below.

1) CISPR/A (Reference document CIS/A/827/RM): The current active projects are:
a) CISPR 16-1-1 Ed 3.0: Use of spectrum analyzers for compliance measurements
This project defines the conditional use of spectrum analyzers without preselection for EMI compliance measurements. The project is currently at the CDV stage.
b) CISPR 16-1-1 am1 Ed 3.0: Specifications for FFT-based measuring instrumentation
This project is part of a Joint Task Force (JTF) effort between CISPR/A and CISPR/D and defines specifications for FFT-based EMC receivers. The project is currently at the CD stage.
c) CISPR 16-1-4 Ed 3.0: Evaluation of set-up table in the frequency range above 1 GHz
This project defines a measurement process to determine the impact of EUT setup tables on the overall measurement uncertainty in the frequency range above 1 GHz. The project is currently at the CDV stage.
d) CISPR 16-1-4 am1 Ed 3.0: Introduction of Reference Site Method (RSM)
This project introduces an evaluation method for radiated emission test sites as an alternative to the currently existing NSA method. The project is at the CD stage and a second CD will be issued at the beginning of 2009.
e) CISPR 16-1-6 Ed 1.0: Antenna calibration
The project will provide methods for antenna calibration, including measurement uncertainty estimates for all methods proposed. The project was formally initiated by circulation of an NP. The voting results (and thus approval of the project by the national committees) are due by January 16, 2009.
f) CISPR 16-2-1 am1 Ed 2.0: Inclusion of FFT-based test instrumentation
This project defines specifics for the use of FFT-based EMI receivers when used for measurements of conducted emissions. The project is currently at the CD stage.
g) CISPR 16-2-2 Ed 2.0: Inclusion of FFT-based test instrumentation
This project defines specifics for the use of FFT-based EMI receivers when used for measurements of interference power. The project is currently at the CD stage.
h) CISPR 16-2-3 am2 Ed 2.0: Inclusion of FFT-based test instrumentation
This project defines specifics for the use of FFT-based EMI receivers when used for measurements of radiated emissions. The project is currently at the CD stage.
i) CISPR 17 Ed 2.0: Maintenance and amendment; Methods of measurement of suppression characteristics of passive radio interference filters and suppression components
The present revision of CISPR 17 defines the measurement methods mainly for power-line filters. Today, various electronic devices use a variety of sophisticated suppression filters of different types. New measurement methods which are required to characterize these types of filters are provided in the revision of the standard. In addition, the present structure of the standard will be revised to improve the clarity and usefulness of the material. The document is currently at the CD stage.
j) CISPR 16-2-3 am1 Ed 2.0: Addition of measurand for radiated emissions <1 GHz
This project is a general maintenance effort to correct and update the content of the current revision. It also clarifies the actual measurand of radiated emission measurements. The project is at the CDV stage.
k) CISPR 16-2-3 am3 Ed 2.0: Introduction of antenna height scanning > 1 GHz
This project has not been formally activated yet. The introduction of a general antenna height scan for all types of equipment is considered to avoid erroneous test results. At present, several approaches are under discussion in CISPR/A/WG2. A round robin test will be initiated in 2009 to verify the validity of different concepts.
l) CISPR 16-4-2 Ed 2.0: Uncertainty in EMC measurements
This project addresses the existing need for the calculation of measurement uncertainty estimates for conducted emission measurements on main ports with a voltage probe, and for conducted emission measurements on telecom ports using a capacitive voltage probe, an asymmetric artificial network (AAN) (which is a specific impedance stabilization network) and a current probe. In addition, uncertainty calculations for radiated emission measurements in a fully anechoic room (FAR) for the frequency range between 30 MHz and 1 GHz will be added, as well as for radiated emission measurements in the frequency range 1 GHz to 18 GHz. The project is at the CD stage.
m) IEC 61000-4-22 Ed 1.0: Radiated emissions and immunity measurements in FARs
This project introduces measurement and validation procedures of FARs for both emission and immunity measurements. The project is a JTF effort between CISPR/A and SC77B (a subcommittee of IEC TC77). The project is at the CD stage.

2) CISPR/B (Reference document CIS/B/474/RM): The current active projects are:
a) CISPR 11 Ed 5.0: Next edition of CISPR 11
This project actually consists of two separate CDVs, namely CISPR/B/435/CDV and CISPR/B/440/CDV, that will be merged into one FDIS which is due in February 2009. CISPR/B/435/CDV in principle contains general maintenance items to update the current revision of CISPR 11. CISPR/B/440/CDV actually covers project CISPR 11 f1 Ed. 5. This project removes any legal statements in the standard and consolidates material of clauses 5.3 and 5.4 of CISPR 11 Ed. 4 concerning the history and evolution of CISPR 11 in an annex to the present CISPR Guide 2008 as Annex D.
b) CISPR 11 f2 Ed 5.0: selection criteria for the minimum separation distance between EUT and measurement antenna and proposal to replace the “class” criterion currently used in CISPR 11 by a “size-of-equipment” criterion
This project is concerned with the definition of the measurement distance based on EUT size and classification of EUTs based on EUT size. Although document CISPR/B/459/CDV successfully passed the voting process, six NCs raised substantial concerns about the technical content of the document, resulting in six negative votes. It was decided to further investigate the issues raised. The content of the CDV will be treated separately from the current maintenance project, and the improved content which addresses the concerns raised by the six NCs will be registered as an FDIS by November 2009. The material will be published as amendment 1 to CISPR 11, Ed. 5.0.

3) CISPR/F (Reference document CIS/F/400/RM): The current active projects are:
a) CISPR 14-1 am2 f1 Ed 5.0: Inclusion of induction cooking appliances
This project includes all aspects for expansion of the scope of CISPR 14-1 ed.5.0 to address induction cooking appliances which are at present still covered by CISPR 11. This project is an effort of a JTF consisting of experts of CISPR/F and CISPR/B. The project is cur-
rently at the CD stage.
b) CISPR 15 am3 f1 Ed. 7.0: Update following editing committee review
The main aspects of this project are the inclusion of LED light sources and luminaries, clarification of supply voltage and frequency, and improvements to clause 5 relating to the application of limits to the various types of lighting equipment covered in the scope of CISPR 15. The project is at the CD stage.
c) CISPR 15 am3 f2 Ed 7.0: Requirements for emergency luminaries utilizing flashing xenon lamps
The project defines requirements for flashing type emergency lighting luminaries utilizing xenon lamps. It was determined that for emergency luminaries with flashing xenon lamps, the present disturbance requirements of CISPR 15 do apply for ‘normal’ operation. When operated in ‘emergency’ mode (i.e., flashing) only radiated emission measurements in the range 30 to 300 MHz are required to adequately protect the radio services. The project is currently at the CD stage.
d) CISPR 15 am3 f3 Ed 7.0: Requirements for neon and other advertising signs
The project defines requirements for neon and other advertising signs to be the same as for other types of lighting equipment. The project is currently at the CD stage.

4) CISPR/H (Reference document CIS/H/181/RM): The current active projects are:
a) IEC 61000-6-3 am1 Ed 2.0: Generic standards - Emission standard for residential, commercial and light-industrial environments
This project updates the content of the current edition 2.0 of the standard. It will include the adoption of the full application of measurement uncertainty for compliance determinations, as described in CISPR 16-4-2. Furthermore, the inclusion of reverberation chambers, mainly for measurements above 1 GHz, is considered as an amendment to edition 2.0 of this standard. The project is at the CD stage, with a CDV expected by the end of March 2009.
b) IEC 61000-6-4 am1 Ed 2.0: Generic standards - Emission standard for industrial environments
This project updates the content of the current edition 2.0 of the standard. It will include the adoption of the full application of measurement uncertainty for compliance determinations, as described in CISPR 16-4-2. Furthermore, the inclusion of reverberation chambers, mainly for measurements above 1 GHz, is considered as an amendment to edition 2.0 of this standard. The project is at the CD stage, with a CDV expected by the end of March 2009.

5) CISPR/I (Reference document CIS/I/291/RM): The current active projects are:
a) CISPR 13 am3 Ed.4.0: CISPR13 Maintenance
This project introduces the use of the RMS-Average detector for conducted and radiated emission measurements as well as the measurement of disturbance power. The project is at the CDV stage with an FDIS expected by February 2009.
b) CISPR 22 am3 f1 Ed. 5.0: Limits and method of measurement of broadband telecommunication equipment over power lines
In CISPR 22, conducted disturbances of ITE are measured at the main terminals and at the telecommunications port separately. Most of power line telecommunications (PLT) devices, however, use the same port for both purposes (mains power supply and telecommunications). This leads to the definition of the “PLT port”, which is not yet included in the current version of CISPR 22. The project describes measurement methods and emission limits for PLT devices connected to the mains at the customer premises. These PLT devices may establish network termination or provide local connections to other PLT devices connected at the same premises. The project is at the CD stage.
c) CISPR 24 Ed. 2.0: CISPR 24 Maintenance
The project amends the current version of CISPR 24 with a clause on how to treat loudspeakers on PCs and A/V systems, updates Annex A to measure analog voltages, (only on analog lines) provides a new annex for xDSL systems to address existing test requirements, describes how to treat speakers on hands free speaker phones, updates the telecommunication port surge test methods to the latest version of the ITU-T K series and includes telephone systems other than PSTN and ISDN. The project is at the CD stage.
d)CISPR 32 Ed. 1.0: Multimedia emission
This project prepares a CISPR publication applicable to multimedia equipment (MME). Multimedia equipment has the function of information technology equipment, audio, video, and broadcast receiving equipment or combination of these functions, which has a rated supply voltage not exceeding 600 Vrms. The standard considers two classes of equipment (Class A and Class B) which are associated with two different types of environments – the residential and non-residential environment. The project was formally initiated and subsequently approved on February 15, 2008. However, no CD has yet been circulated.
e) CISPR 35 Ed. 1.0: Multimedia Immunity
The project establishes uniform requirements for the electromagnetic immunity of multimedia equipment. The test methods are provided in the referenced Basic EMC Immunity Standards. This publication specifies applicable tests, test levels, product operating conditions and assessment criteria. The project is at the CD stage

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Summary
CISPR is currently working on EMC standards that cover many different aspects of emissions and immunity testing, including test methods, test equipment specifications, limits and testing aspects of a multitude of product types. In this context, subcommittees CISPR/A and CISPR/H prepare horizontal standards, which cover fundamental principles, concepts, terminology and technical characteristics relevant to other CISPR subcommittees. These types of standards are of crucial importance to ensure the coherence of all CISPR standardization documents. Product standards like CISPR 11, CISPR 14-1/2, CISPR 15, or CISPR 22, address requirements specific to products or group of related products. Such requirements include, for example, EUT setups, EUT operating modes and of course the applicable limits (or acceptance criteria in case of immunity standards) that allow the determination of EUT compliance.

Acknowledgement
The author would like to thank Mrs. Tori Barling for proof reading this manuscript. EMC