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Updated on 2023-09-19
Typographic and editorial rules

International standards references

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Reference to IEC and ISO International Standards shall use the following syntaxes:

Examples1

IEC 62271-1
IEC 62271-1:2007, title [optional]
IEC 62271-1:2007/AMD1:2011, title [optional]
Amendment 1 to IEC 62271-1:2007, title [optional]
IEC PAS 60539-1-1
IEC PAS 60539-1-1:2008, title [optional]

Note

Also applicable to reference markings on products and their associated documentation

When writing the full reference with title, use a comma after the reference number and put the title in italics

 

When the full reference with title is mentioned in a text, add a comma at the end of the title

Examples1

The latest edition of IEC 61850, Communication networks and systems for power utility automation, includes new definitions …

When reference is made to the standard as a general concept, do not add the year to the reference

Examples1

IEC 60601

When reference is made to announce the publication of a new standard or the revision of a standard, or when mentioning two different editions of one standard in the same article, add the year to the reference

Examples1

IEC 60601-1:2005
IEC 60601-1:1988

Use the word edition rather than version for an international standard

Examples1

✓ the new edition of IEC 60000

✘ the revised version of IEC 60000

 

Use IEC XXXXX series of standards when referring to all parts of a standard

Examples1

IEC 60601 series of standards includes IEC 60601-1, IEC 60601-1-1, IEC 60601-1-2, IEC 60601-2-1, IEC 60601-2-2, etc.

Use IEC XXXXX family of standards when referring to all parts of a main reference number

Examples1

ISO/IEC 17000 family of standards includes ISO/IEC 17000, ISO/IEC 17007, ISO/IEC 17011, ISO/IEC 17020, etc.

When referring to a standard in database format, use IEC 60617 database standard or IEC 60617 DB

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International standards references

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