Celebrating 30 Years of Electrotechnical Standards Harmonization in the Americas

On Feb. 22-23, 2023, UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) proudly sponsored the 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Consejo de Armonización de Normas Electrotecnicas de las Naciones Americas (CANENA) in Mexico City. The organization, which translates to “the Council for Harmonization of Electrotechnical Standards of the Nations of the Americas” in English, is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to driving the harmonization of electrotechnical standards in Canada, Mexico, the United States, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

The meeting theme, “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Celebrating 30 Years of CANENA,” with a focus on the past, present, and future of CANENA, highlights the council’s accomplishments since its formation in 1993, when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) lifted tariffs on the majority of goods produced by participating nations, and the electrotechnical industry identified a need to address the differing technical regulations and standards for goods entering various trade areas. Presenters also discussed CANENA today and in the future, highlighting its role in the regional and international landscape in relation to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2020.

At the AGM, ULSE Senior Standards Specialist Valara Davis moderated a panel on the participation of standards development organizations (SDOs) in CANENA over the past 30 years. ULSE Vice President of International Standards Sonya Bird participated as a panelist discussing the experience of SDOs in the U.S., alongside Abel Hernandez of the Association of Standardization and Certification (ANCE) and Michael Wilson of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

Odon de Buen, director general of the Energy Commission for Mexico’s National Commission for the Efficient Use of Energy (CONUEE) delivered the keynote address, “New Frame in Mexico for Quality Infrastructure.” Key industry leaders from participating countries also presented on installation codes and discussed topics such as electrification and electromobility as areas of interest for future discussion.